Acid Reflux News and Research

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Acid reflux disease is a condition that often results when a valve located at the end of the esophagus malfunctions. When this valve relaxes inappropriately, it may allow stomach acid to splash up and irritate the lining of the esophagus, creating the sensation called heartburn, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Frequent, persistent heartburn is the primary symptom associated with acid reflux disease or GERD.

JACS reports study on LINX Reflux Management System for GERD treatment

An estimated 1 in 5 U.S. adults suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a chronic, often progressive disease that can cause debilitating symptoms and in certain cases lead to esophageal cancer.

24 Jul 2013

Research shows proton pump inhibitors may cause cardiovascular problems

Drugs that help millions of people cope with acid reflux may also cause cardiovascular disease, report scientists from Houston Methodist Hospital and two other institutions in an upcoming issue of Circulation (now online). It is the first time researchers have shown how proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, might cause cardiovascular problems.

11 Jul 2013

New procedure to treat acid reflux can prevent chronic rejection in lung transplant patients

A Loyola University Medical Center study suggests that a procedure to treat acid reflux could help prevent chronic rejection in lung transplant patients.

30 Jun 2013

Pfizer receives $2.15 billion settlement from Teva and Sun for patent-infringement damages

Pfizer Inc. announced today a $2.15 billion settlement reached with Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Limited and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Limited for patent-infringement damages resulting from their "at-risk" launches of generic Protonix® in the United States.

15 Jun 2013

Esophageal cancer: A serious threat to African-American men

The nation's attention and research money has been focused on esophageal adenocarcinoma - the type of esophageal cancer that has become more common over the last few decades and is associated with obesity and acid reflux.

13 Jun 2013

More objective testing may reduce cost and risk of managing GERD, study suggests

There are significant cost and risk factors associated with two procedures commonly used to diagnose or treat gastrointestinal problems, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week.

20 May 2013

Preventive measures to recover from hoarse voice

It's that time of year again, sports fans. We've marched through March Madness, when NCAA basketball playoff brackets bloomed and died and Cinderella stories rose from the shadows to revel in momentary glory.

6 Apr 2013

Modifiable lifestyle factors may prevent progression of Barrett's-related esophageal cancer

An estimated 20 million Americans have chronic heartburn. About 2 million of these people have Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition that affects the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

2 Apr 2013

Study examines overuse of ER for nonemergency visits

Visits to the ER are not always for true medical emergencies - and some policymakers have been fighting the problem by denying or limiting payments if the patient's diagnosis upon discharge is for "nonemergency" conditions.

21 Mar 2013

Acid reflux can kill certain cancer cells

A University of Central Florida chemist has come up with a unique way to kill certain cancer cells - give them acid reflux.

7 Mar 2013

Marc Liechtung provides valuable insight into oral health

Oral health is often the window to your overall health. And some of your daily activities or habits can affect oral health.

7 Mar 2013

LINX device may help relieve chronic heartburn symptoms

Clinical trial results published in the New England Journal of Medicine this week offer additional evidence that a new device may help relieve chronic heartburn symptoms that standard treatment cannot. The Keck Medical Center of USC was one of 14 U.S. and European medical centers to test the device prior to its March 2012 approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

26 Feb 2013

Bracelet-like device with magnetic beads can control gastroesophageal reflux disease

A bracelet-like device with magnetic beads can control the chronic digestive disorder gastroesophageal reflux disease, according to a study published online today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

21 Feb 2013

Eisai announces FDA acceptance of AcipHex NDA for priority review

Eisai Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for priority review Eisai's New Drug Application (NDA) for AcipHex Delayed-Release Sprinkle Capsules 5mg and 10mg for the proposed indication of healing of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), maintenance of healing of GERD and improvement of symptoms of GERD in children 1 to 11 years of age.

30 Nov 2012

General guidelines to understand allergic skin conditions

Winter months can bring on the itch as cold weather and indoor heat dry out the skin. It's possible, suggests Chicago allergist, Brian Rotskoff, MD of Clarity Allergy Center, that your winter itch could be caused by more than just the weather. For some people itchy, dry skin is just that, but for others it can be a symptom of atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, or hives (urticaria).

16 Nov 2012

Electrical stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter is effective in treating patients with GERD

Clinical evidence of the safety and effectiveness of electrical stimulation of a muscular valve in the esophagus demonstrates promising results in resolving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and is being presented at the 77th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Las Vegas, NV.

23 Oct 2012

Cessation of drinking may reduce risk of oesophageal cancer

Cancer of the oesophagus is becoming more common in Europe and North America. Around 7,800 people in the UK are diagnosed each year. The exact causes of this cancer aren't fully understood. It appears to be more common in people who have long-term acid reflux (backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus).

14 Sep 2012

Researchers identify genetic variations linked with onset of Barrett's oesophagus

Genetic variations that are linked with the onset of Barrett's oesophagus (BE), a pre-cancerous condition of the lower end of the gullet, have been identified for the first time. The discovery of variations in regions on two chromosomes makes it possible to develop screening tests for people at high risk of developing the disease.

10 Sep 2012

Biopsies may misdiagnose eosinophilic esophagitis

University of Utah engineers mapped white blood cells called eonsinophils and showed an existing diagnostic method may overlook an elusive digestive disorder that causes swelling in the esophagus and painful swallowing.

7 Sep 2012

CT scan appears to predict risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations

The respective size of two major arteries, visible on a simple computed tomography, or CT, scan, is a strong predictor of the risk of exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to new research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham published online Sept. 3, 2012, in the New England Journal of Medicine.

3 Sep 2012