Manage Your Reflux Symptoms: The Food4GERD app

Zurich (ots) -

- Cross reference: Picture is available at epa european pressphoto
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often referred to as
heartburn, is a major issue for many people worldwide.[1] Choice of
foods[2] and eating habits [3] may have an impact on GERD symptoms.
Takeda has developed the mobile application Food4GERD to assist
people to manage their reflux symptoms.

The Food4Gerd app is a mobile application that provides insights
into common foods and beverages, making it a helpful tool for
checking ingredients and their possible effects on reflux symptoms.
It is commonly known that gradual dietary and lifestyle changes are
recommended to improve GERD-related symptoms.[4]

The "Ingredient Check" included in the Food4GERD app helps
sufferers to observe which of their preferred food choices are good
ones and which should be avoided. In the latest version, patients can
also add their own foods and beverages and protect access to the app
with a pin-code.

An integrated "Symptom Tracker" allows users to record the
severity of reflux symptoms such as heartburn, sore throat or chest
pain. In addition, the app offers the possibility to track times of
symptom occurrence, as well to define personal triggers e.g. stress
or irregular eating, and ingredients that may be related to the
symptoms. A personal diary can be reviewed in the "Symptom History"
and all data can be exported, which is a helpful tool as patients can
use the results for discussion with their physicians: Using the
Food4GERD app as part of the follow up communication between patients
and physicians about the course of disease will support both to
optimize treatment.[5]

The Food4GERD app is available for all common mobile devices
(including IOS and Android). It recently received its first Spanish
language update, with more translations to follow. For more
information please visit www.food4gerd.com.

About GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux disease
(ARD), is a common condition that develops when reflux of stomach
contents causes troublesome symptoms or complications.[6] Common
symptoms are e.g. pain or burning in the chest and difficulties in
swallowing, yet untreated GERD may result in asthma, voice change or
hoarseness.[7]

The prevalence of GERD has increased over the last 20 years[8],
mainly in western industrialized nations [1,8], and affects all
ages.[7] Prevalence estimates range from 18-28% in North America and
9-26% in Europe.[1]

About Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH

Headquartered in Zurich as a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Osaka, Japan; the company has a
commercial presence covering more than 70 countries, with particular
strength in Asia, North America, Europe and fast-growing emerging
markets including Latin America, Russia-CIS and China. Areas of focus
include cardiovascular and metabolic, oncology, respiratory and
immunology, central nervous system, general medicine, and vaccines.

Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on
pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and
one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to
strive towards better health for people worldwide through leading
innovation in medicine. Through the integration of Millennium
Pharmaceuticals and Nycomed, Takeda has been transforming itself,
broadening its therapeutic expertise and geographic outreach.

Additional information about Takeda is available through its
corporate website, www.takeda.com.

[1] El-Serag HB et al. Gut, 13 Jul 2013 (Epub ahead of print);
doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2012-304269.
[2] Mansour-Ghanaei F et al. Int J Mol Epidemiol Genet 2013; 4:175-
182.
[3] Fujiwara Y et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2005; 100:2633-2636.
[4] Heidelbaugh JJ et al. Am Fam Physician 2003; 68:1311-1318.
[5] McColl E et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005; 100:11-18.
[6] Vakil N et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2006; 101:1900-1920.
[7] Koop H et al. Z Gastroenterol 2005; 43:163-164.
[8] El-Serag HB. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007; 5:17-26.

Contacts:
m:werk GmbH & Co. KG
Humboldtstraße 11
D-65189 Wiesbaden
Tel.: +49 (0)611-16086-0
Fax: +49 (0)611-16086-15
Email: reflux@m-werk.de