Heartburn News and Research

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Heartburn, also know as acid reflux, is a painful and burning sensation in the esophagus, just behind the breastbone usually associated with regurgitation of gastric acid (gastric reflux).

Incidence of esophageal cancer linked to GERD rises six-fold in recent decades

Esophageal cancer is one of the fastest-growing and deadliest cancers in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 17,000 new cases of esophageal cancer will be diagnosed in 2015. Incidence of adenocarcinoma, a type of esophageal cancer linked to GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) has risen six-fold in recent decades.

21 Apr 2015

New research could transform treatments for patients with Barrett's Oesophagus

New research from the University of Warwick and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust could transform treatments and diagnosis for a common digestive condition which affects thousands of patients.

15 Apr 2015

NPS MedicineWise program focuses on optimal use of PPI therapy in GORD patients

NPS MedicineWise today launches a new learning program and health professional tools on the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the treatment of uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

1 Apr 2015

EnteroMedics, American HealthCare Lending partner to support patient access to vBloc Therapy

EnteroMedics Inc., the developer of medical devices using neuroblocking technology to treat obesity, metabolic diseases and other gastrointestinal disorders, today announced that the Company has entered into a partnership with American HealthCare Lending to provide funding for patient access to vBloc Therapy, delivered via the Maestro Rechargeable System, for the treatment of obesity.

1 Apr 2015

Prime Healthcare acquires two hospitals from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems

Prime Healthcare announced today that it has completed its acquisition of two hospitals from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems: Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite, Texas and Riverview Regional Medical Center in Gadsden, Alabama, as well as related outpatient services.

2 Mar 2015

St. John Hospital first in Michigan to offer new alternative treatment for acid reflux disease

St. John Hospital is among the first in the state and the only site in southeast Michigan to offer a new alternative treatment for patients with acid reflux disease.

10 Feb 2015

Ohio State allergy specialists study, learn more about eosinophilic esophagitis

Its name is daunting. It's the hottest topic among allergy experts. It's showing up more and doctors don't yet know why. Allergy specialists at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are seeing more people with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an inflammatory response in the esophagus that makes it hard to swallow food.

9 Feb 2015

MHRA reclassifies Pfizer’s Nexium Control as an OTC treatment for heartburn

Pfizer is pleased to announce that the MHRA has approved the reclassification of the well-established proton pump inhibitor (PPI) Nexium Control (esomeprazole), making it available for consumers to purchase it without a prescription.

31 Jan 2015

Research highlights potential of computers to enhance quality of care, medical outcomes

A computer system was more effective than doctors at collecting information about patient symptoms, producing reports that were more complete, organized and useful than narratives generated by physicians during office visits, according to a Cedars-Sinai study.

10 Dec 2014

Good first aid kit can help make your vacation perfect

Planning a vacation? Make a little room in your luggage for a travel first aid kit. It won't cost much, and it won't take up much space. Once you reach your destination, you won't need to reach any further than your suitcase to relieve those minor aches and pains that can put a major damper on your plans.

9 Dec 2014

Women delay seeking medical care for heart symptoms, put health at risk

When heart symptoms strike, men and women go through similar stages of pain but women are more likely to delay seeking care and can put their health at risk, according to a study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.

29 Oct 2014

CHOP joins CEGIR to advance treatment of eosinophilic disorders

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has joined a new consortium announced today by the National Institutes of Health to advance the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases called eosinophilic disorders.

9 Oct 2014

State highlights: States and drug prices; Ariz. limiting Sovaldi for patients; L.A. boosts uninsured care by $61 million

Because of its high cost, some state Medicaid programs and prison systems are refusing to provide Sovaldi to any but the sickest patients. Most recently, Oregon last month threatened to limit access to the drug unless it can get Sovaldi at a deeply discounted price. But Sovaldi is only the beginning. Expensive new treatments for certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions also have rattled Medicaid officials, patients and health care providers. What can states do to hold down drug costs? Drug pricing is a complicated and opaque process.

8 Oct 2014

Researchers examine role of blocking vagus nerve in weight loss

Among patients with morbid obesity, blocking the vagus nerve, which plays a role with appetite and metabolism, did not meet pre-specified efficacy objectives compared to a control group, although the intervention did result in greater weight loss, according to a study in the September 3 issue of JAMA.

3 Sep 2014

Feds to withhold some doctor payment data after inconsistencies

The Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services said Friday that, because of data inconsistencies, a third of the records in a database showing drug and device-maker contributions to doctors will be withheld next month when the website goes live.

19 Aug 2014

First Edition: August 18, 2014

Today's headlines stories about the pervasive nature of Medicare fraud and the difficulties involved in fighting it.

18 Aug 2014

Highlights: Texas abortion rates falls dramatically; start-up problems for Virginia's psychiatric reforms

A four-month-old psychiatric-bed registry that is supposed to provide up-to-the-minute information for Virginians who need emergency mental health treatment is being updated as seldom as once a day, state officials told a panel of lawmakers this week (Shin, 7/22).

25 Jul 2014

First Edition: July 24, 2014

Today's headlines include more analysis of this week's conflicting appeals courts' decisions regarding a key part of the health law.

24 Jul 2014

Statins reduce patient's risk of developing Barrett's esophagus

Statins, a class of drugs commonly used to lower cholesterol levels, significantly reduce a patient's risk of developing Barrett's esophagus, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.

24 Jul 2014

RD Biomed announces Chinese distribution agreement for reflux diagnostic tool Peptest

RD Biomed, the Yorkshire medical technology company, has announced a Chinese distribution agreement for its world-leading reflux diagnostic tool Peptest.

8 Jul 2014