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Web-GERD.com is
a site dedicated to providing practical, useful, and up to date information
for patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
and its related conditions. According to Geneva Workshop, Belgium,
the term
GERD should be used for individuals exposed to the risk of physical
complications of reflux or in whom reflux causes significant
impairment of health related
well-being or Quality of Life (QoL), after adequate reassurance of
the benign nature of their symptoms. Cohort studies demonstrate
that symptoms
of GERD occur monthly in almost 50% of U.S. adults and weekly in almost
20%.
GERD symptoms are among the most common complaints encountered by the generalist
physician. They include: Acid Reflux, Heartburn, Hiatus Hernia, Indigestion,
Barrett's Esophagus, Sleep apnea, Chronic Cough, Asthma, Laryngitis, Chronic
Sore Throat, Hoarseness, Aspiration, Regurgitation, Chest Pain of non-cardiac
origin, Difficulty Swallowing, Blood loss anemia, and Esophageal Cancer.
Patients looking for medical information about GERD can find out about
signs and symptoms, self help (dietary advice, life style modifications,
over-the-counter
medications), treatment options, endoscopic and surgical treatments, GERD
during pregnancy, GERD in elderly, GERD in infants and children, etc. by
clicking
on the "Patients" button. In addition, responses to frequently
asked questions by patients have been compiled and presented under the "FAQ" button.
Primary Care Doctors and Gastroenterologists shall find this site very helpful
and informative as we have provided the latest practical information on indications
for endoscopy, improving GERD diagnosis by endoscopy, biopsy and pathology,
special circumstances like pregnancy, GERD in the elderly, GERD and H. Pylori,
GERD and ENT symptoms, GERD and asthma, chronic cough and aspiration, Barrett's
esophagus, Barrett’s surveillance endoscopy schedules, GERD and Adenocarcinoma
of the esophagus, and the latest on medical and surgical treatment.
The goals of GERD management are:
- Symptom control
- Promote mucosal healing (pH>4)
- Prevent complications and symptom relapse
- Improve patients’ health-related quality
of life
- 80% of GERD patients on a PPI show measurable
improvement in QoL
- Less than 50% of all heartburn sufferers
are totally satisfied with their current medication
Under the "Physicians" button
a self-assessment test on GERD related topics are also included. We have
also provided a link button to a few selected sites.
Due to popular demand we have added a new section dealing with GERD in infants
and children. Related information can be accessed by clicking on either the
patients or the physicians buttons accordingly.
Since our site is updated frequently, we would welcome your suggestions
on improvements, or inclusion of related content. Please direct any communications
to mf@web-gerd.com.
This site is authored by a practicing gastroenterologist and lecturer on
medicine at Harvard Medical School, M. Farivar, M.D.
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