GERD! James Gerd!

We used a college homecoming weekend dinner to hold a staff meeting and the question of why no GERD stories arose. We couldn't think of any reason other than the lack of recent studies on the subject. Lo and behold we find a recent H1N1 death attributed to symptoms that included GERD:

"A 52-year old man is Santa Rosa County’s first confirmed death associated with H1N1 Swine Flu, according to the county’s health department."

"The man died September 11, according to information released Tuesday from the Santa Rosa County Health Department. Health officials were notified of his death September 28, when the results of additional lab tests were received. The man had hypertension and GERD (gastroesophogeal reflux disease). In keeping with Florida Department of Health policy, no additional information was released."

“The death of a loved one under any circumstances is always a tragedy,” said Sandra Park, A.R.N.P., interim administrator for the health department. “Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

"The man was admitted to the hospital on September 4. At that time, a rapid flu test for H1N1 was performed and the result of that test was negative. Additional testing, however, confirmed that the man was ill with H1N1."

We're not trying to be the "flu police." We're concerned about the lack of information being presented to us by our local jurisdictions when we have proof positive that the information is false in relations to the flu. What we don't understand is why the jurisdictions refuse to give us the full and unvarnished truth. Reading daily obituaries shows deaths that the local health departments don't or refuse to report. Most disturbing are the reports that the standard H1N1 test return negatives when autopsies reveal positives results. That type of information is better presented to the living than the dead.

CBS News reports what a doctor tells his patients in this two (2) week old report from Dr. Jonathan LaPook: "Smoking and obesity both increase acid reflux and must be addressed. I tell my patients to limit alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, and fatty foods (I know, basically anything that gives them even an iota of pleasure in life). I also suggest keeping a food diary to try to identify culprits such as tomato-based products or certain spicy foods. If their symptoms resolve then they can try to reintroduce the things they miss the most. Elevating the head of the bed can sometimes help."

Research physician, Dr. Ronnie Fass, reported in Renal and Neurology News on the latest drug treatment for GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease: “Patients with diabetic gastroparesis and symptomatic documented GERD may have trouble adhering to treatment because of difficulty swallowing, the need for treatment when they do not have water available, or the need for a portable way to take medication...”

The new drug treatment evaluated by the doctor: "...Metozolv ODT, which rapidly melts on the tongue, gives these patients a new choice that may be more convenient than traditional metoclopramide tablets, Ronnie Fass, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Arizona added. “Patients with diabetic gastroparesis and symptomatic documented GERD may have trouble adhering to treatment because of difficulty swallowing, the need for treatment when they do not have water available, or the need for a portable way to take medication.”

The National Post's Dr. Yoel Abells writes that: "Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is quite common. Epidemiologic studies suggest incidence rates are increasing and that up to 20% of the adult population suffers from this condition to varying degrees..."

"...Complications associated with acid reflux disease arise from the irritating effect the stomach contents have on anatomical structures. For example, the acidic contents can inflame the vocal cords, resulting in hoarseness, or spill into the lungs causing hyperreactivity of the airways and an ensuing cough. Asthma can worsen as a consequence of GERD. Up to 5% of individuals suffering from chronic GERD develop Barrett's esophagus, characterized by changes in the cells lining the esophagus. Although rare, over time, this condition can lead to esophageal cancer."

That such a common occurrence can be present in an uncommon virus seems more than a matter of chance. From its first typing by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have maintained that pre-existing conditions can present opportunities for the relatively harmless virus can cause complications that could lead to death. Originally the time line for infections to complications that could lead to death was over ten (10) days. Current deaths have reduced that timeline from ten to five (5) days with the fifth day being the date of death for some individuals. Most individuals do survive - this isn't about the relatively healthy - this is about those who are most susceptible. You and I.