Gastroesophageal reflux disease is often referred to as gastric or acid reflux disease, as this is the most common complaint. The cause of this symptom is a backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, which then causes a burning sensation (hence the name).
Reflux disease is very common worldwide. It is usually due to a backflow of stomach acid through a weakened esophagus. If this occurs regularly, it will develop into gastroesophageal reflux disease, a burning of the mucous membrane in the esophagus.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs in about 20% of the population in industrial countries. The main symptom is a dull burning, or feelings of pain or pressure in the throat and chest areas, which is where it gets the common name heartburn. It frequently occurs when lying down (at night for example), after copious eating, or after consumption of alcohol and can become noticeable as a chronic cough.
In certain cases, damage to the mucous membrane in the throat can become permanent (Barrett’s esophagus) which requires regular check-ups with a specialist, since this damage can degenerate. For people suffering from this, it’s recommended that they maintain a low-fat diet, avoid eating meals late at night, quit smoking and using alcohol, and in the case of overweight patients a reduction in weight it recommended. Medications that reduce stomach acid (proton pump inhibitors, for example) have been shown to be effective, but they do not treat the cause of the reflux of acid. Furthermore, a test to discover if a stomach infection of Helicobacter pylori is at play may be appropriate, since this can cause or intensify heartburn. In most cases this can be cured with a treatment of antibiotics.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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