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Got GERD? Learn About Lasting Treatment Options for That Pesky Acid Reflux

The New York Times Cites a Shortage of Acid Reflux Medication Means Many Patients Are Switching to RX Drugs Costing Five Times More Than Their Over the Counter Medications, But There Are New Longer-Term Options to Taking Pills

Say "Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease" and you've said a MOUTHFUL! Most people call it "heartburn." The guy on TV calls it "acid reflux." But if you're one of the more than 60 million people who suffer from Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD -- no matter WHAT you call it, stomach acid that backs up into your chest and throat can make life downright miserable. Left untreated, GERD can lead to serious health problems, including cancer.

According to the New York Times report last week, Americans spent $13.5 billion on prescription heartburn drugs in 2003. That figure doesn't include the more commonly used over the counter medications that millions take for their recurrent symptoms. The New York Times story quotes GERD specialist Dr. Nicholas Shaheen as saying, "These conditions are so common...patients go through (heartburn drugs) like water." Having to rely on frequent use of drugs has many who suffer from GERD asking "what else can I do?" Now there's a new website that details the options to long-term drug use including a new endoscopic treatment that allows sufferers to measure relief in years not meals. Enter: www.GotGERD.com.

A one-stop shop on the web for answers to your most burning questions about GERD, www.GotGERD.com, is the go-to place to find out if those symptoms you've got are indeed acid reflux, just what GERD is, and what options there are to relieving it, like endoscopic treatment. GotGERD.com also discusses the potentially serious risks of ignoring the disorder. For instance, left untreated, GERD can result in painful swallowing, inflammation, even esophageal cancer.

The newly launched GotGERD program, which has earned Health on the Net (HON) certification for reliability and credibility, is the combined effort of physicians, hospitals, patients, Academic Network, LLC a health education and communications firm, and Boston Scientific, a medical device company. Hospitals and physicians in the four GotGERD program test markets (Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas and Sacramento) have pledged their time and efforts to educate their communities on GERD and new endoscopic treatment options. The GotGERD website and toll-free GotGERD help line have been established by Academic Network, a state-of-the-art medical communications and education firm. The group, owned and staffed by medical professionals, oversees the GotGERD program by making sure the information offered is balanced and easy to understand.

"The GotGERD coalition recognizes that the first step to treating any health concern is to ensure that patients first have the facts correct regarding their condition," said Kathleen McCarron, chief executive officer, Academic Network, LLC the health education organization charged with reviewing, developing and balancing all content on the website and directing the informational call center for GotGERD. "GotGerd.com lays it all out -- what GERD is and what the latest treatment plans are including new options using endoscopic procedures. And with our HON certification, visitors can feel confident the information they're getting is accurate."

Read All About It

GotGERD.com tackles the frustration GERD patients face when despite diet change and medicine, the GERD won't GO! There are resources for diagnosis, help with physician referrals and something that's generating lots of excitement for those who've "tried everything" and those who just don't want to take a pill for the rest of their lives (especially if those pills are hard to get!) The GotGERD.com website details information on the newest endoscopic treatments. One new treatment option uses an endoscope, or flexible, narrow tube with a camera attached, to sneak a peek at the esophagus then treat the problem right then and there...in one short, out-patient procedure. Some patients who've had the endoscopic treatment say their symptoms were often gone in a few days.

GotGERD.com offers user-friendly information on symptoms including those not usually associated with "heartburn" like earaches, asthma, bad breath, or gum disease. Visitors discover little-known facts about what can make GERD worse, such as smoking, certain exercises, alcohol and stress. GotGERD.com also discusses the potentially serious risks of ignoring the disorder.

"Unfortunately GERD affects millions of Americans, but the good news is that there are many treatment options available to patients," said David McCarron, MD, FACP, and president of Academic Network. "Patient education is critical to determining the best treatment options. The GotGERD coalition strongly encourages patients to consult with their physician and educate themselves about the disease from sources with reputable medical information such as the GotGERD Web site."

Talk to an Expert

A follow up to all the information on GotGERD.com is just a free phone call away at 1-866-GOT-GERD. This toll-free information line makes it a comfortable first-step for those with GERD to get more information on their symptoms, whether mild or severe and be linked to additional resources in their area. Callers can request free GERD information packets as well.

For those who've changed their diets, altered their lifestyles and STILL suffer from painful burning symptoms, or are just not satisfied with the thought of taking a pill for the rest of their lives, FINALLY, a welcomed resource for finding out more -- www.GotGERD.com and 1-866-GOT-GERD.

About Academic Network, LLC: Academic Network, LLC is a leading medical and health communications company conceived by academic professionals to serve as a singular source for communicating health-related issues to consumers and health professionals. We work with leading pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations and food/beverage companies in developing effective communications strategies through consulting, telecommunications internet and other public media sources. Academic Network offers the combined technological and medical expertise necessary to meet the demands and expectations of today's health-focused public.

About the Got GERD Program: The Got GERD program is a cooperative initiative to educate patients and physicians on GERD, Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, and its treatment options including endoscopic procedures. The Got GERD Coalition is comprised of participating hospitals, physicians, and patients dedicated to educating consumers about endoscopic treatment options for GERD; Academic Network, a health communications and education firm; and Boston Scientific Corporation, a medical device company. Academic Network is charged with bringing balance to information regarding GERD and its treatment options, and manages both the website at www.GotGERD.com and the information line at 1-866-GOT-GERD. GotGERD.com has earned HON (Health on the Net Foundation) certification per the HON Code of Conduct for medical and health websites. HON addresses one of the Internet's main healthcare issues, the reliability and credibility of information. Visitors to GotGERD.com can be sure they are reading reliable and balanced information regarding GERD and its treatment options.

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