Hospitalizations for acid reflux on rise
Quote:
Hospitalizations with a primary or secondary diagnosis of acid reflux disease (GERD) increased by 216% from 1998-2005 to 3.14 million, according to a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The largest increase (273%) occurred among patients age 18-34. Total hospital discharges with a primary GERD diagnosis increased 4.8% over the period to 95,016, including sharp increases among infants (42%) and older children (84%).
The elderly continued to account for about half of all GERD diagnoses. GERD can inflame or narrow the esophagus and lead to bleeding, trouble swallowing and more serious conditions.
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I am not surprised. People eat more and more junk. Go figure!
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