| |
|
Home
webGERD.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
farivar@hms.harvard.edu.
This site is authored
by a practicing gastroenterologist and lecturer on medicine at Harvard Medical
School, M. Farivar, M.D., and maintained by an instructor in surgery,
Saeid R. Farivar, M.D.,
Ph.D.
|
|
|
