Which condition is primarily treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)?

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are primarily utilized to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to their mechanism of action, which involves the inhibition of the gastric proton pump responsible for the secretion of gastric acid. In GERD, the lower esophageal sphincter is often weakened or relaxes inappropriately, allowing acid from the stomach to flow back into the esophagus, leading to symptoms like heartburn and discomfort. By reducing gastric acid production, PPIs can effectively alleviate these symptoms, promote healing of the esophagus, and prevent complications related to chronic acid exposure.

Diarrhea, constipation, and cardiac dysrhythmias do not typically stem from excessive gastric acid secretion and therefore are not conditions that would be treated with PPIs. Diarrhea and constipation generally involve different mechanisms related to bowel function rather than acid secretion, while cardiac dysrhythmias are related to electrical activity within the heart and do not involve gastric acid levels. Thus, the use of PPIs is specifically aligned with conditions like GERD where the reduction of stomach acid can provide significant therapeutic benefits.