Ask the Expert

N apped right after that second bowl of ice cream? Ate too much at the post-graduation picnic? Overimbibed while watching the O's game? All of these behaviors can trigger what doctors call gastroesophageal ...

[OBSERVER]

GERD is an insurance scam. Reflux is not now, nor has it ever been a real disease. It is a CONDITION. But by classifing as a disease, it opens up insurance payments for medications.

As we age, the cardiac sphincter looses it's ability to close completely. As such acid is allowed up past the mucus linings and we feel heart burn. Being over weight or having a very common esophygeal hernia adds to the problem. But any way you look at it, is is NOT a disease.

[Grey]

Hey,there, OBSERVER (quit shouting,huh), nastiness is also a condition and I don't know of any medicines for that. For those of us living with nightly vile tastes washing up the backs of our throats, permanent damage to our esophogus, problems with swallowing - this distinction you draw is useless.

But I'm sure you, as an insurance exec, probably work hard to deny payments to anyone for medicines like Nexium that help. And it's all in our heads, anyway, right? Or all in our fat bellies, so we deserve it.

Tell you what - when you have a car crash and head for the emergency room because your skull is cracked, I'll be happy to stand in your path to keep everyone's insurance rates down - because you don't have a disease, you just have a 'condition.'

[Billy Bob]

It is a failing of the body.
Fight it and fight it and don't
control and you open yourself up to cancer of the esophagus caused by
constant acid irritation.

[Former Ft Laud Resident]

As someone that has had this debilitating condition I resent Observer's reaction. You can call it what you like - it still needs to be treated.
I suffered for 3 years throwing up constantly - even water would set me off! Over time the drugs didn't help at all so surgery was the only option. Halelujah! Life is good again!
The only unfortunate side effects are an inability to ever 'burp' again and a very increased flatulence problem as the air has to get out some way. Quite irritating, I agree, but none the less better that living with a sickness bag in one hand.