Accuracy, Comfort Addressed with New Acid Reflux Test
Chicago (Aug. 10, 2009) – For millions of Americans, the daily struggle with acid reflux that irritates an damages the esophagus and throat is something that has, at best, been treated with some guess work by themselves or their physicians. With testing cumbersome and uncomfortable, many forgo it, opting instead to attempt trial-and-error treatment—without proper testing—in the form of medications like Prevacid, Tagamet, Zantac and others.
"These medications are commonly used in the United States, but sometimes treatment is unnecessary," said Michael Friedman, MD, chair of otolaryngology at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. "Recent studies have shown that long-term use of these medications can contribute to or cause osteoporosis. People have the symptoms of acid reflux-which include heartburn, hoarseness, chronic cough and sinusitis-but often aren't properly tested. Because we're bombarded with drug advertisements for an easy fix and the current testing for the condition involves of a tube down the throat for an extended period of time, physicians often go straight to drug treatment without finding the root cause."
Friedman and his associates recently completed a study of 100 patients which examined a new, simplified testing method for measuring the exact amount of acid that reached the patients' throats, as well as the number of occurrences, in a 24-hour period. For the study, patients wore a wireless monitor that collected the acid readings using a thread-like sensor placed down the throat. Patients reported much more comfort with the smaller size of the sensor and the wireless monitor. And, with the testing complete, doctors were able to better diagnose the issue and prescribe a more accurate treatment program.
"This testing allows us to see if there's a true need for the medications and determine a more accurate dosage, if necessary," Friedman said. "It also assists us in determining treatment duration."
Friedman and his team will present their findings at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery in San Diego, Calif., to be held Oct. 4 to 6, 2009.
Illinois Masonic is a 408-bed hospital in Chicago with a Level I Trauma Center and Level II Neonatal Intensive Care, the highest designations awarded by the State of Illinois. It is a comprehensive inpatient hospital, including medical, surgical, obstetrics and pediatric inpatient care, as well as outpatient services. A recipient of numberous awards for quality and clinical excellence, Illinois Masonic was ranked in 2006 as one of the top 50 hospitals in the nation for Heart and Heart Surgery by U.S. News & World Report. In 2008, the hospital achieved Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program, the highest award a hospital can receive for outstanding quality and excellence in nursing care. Illinois Masonic is a part of Advocate Health Care, a nationally recognized health care system and the largest provider of health services in Chicagoland.
# # # |
