Is Traveling Troubling You?

Whether running late to catch a plane or sitting in an airport due to a delayed flight, traveling can be a headache. But for some travelers, a short business trip or a vacation with friends and family can be much more daunting. For some people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the basic problems when traveling are often exacerbated as symptoms, such as frequent, persistent heartburn and a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, flare up. With GERD symptoms affecting approximately 60 million Americans more than twice a week, a survey of 500 people with GERD was conducted to determine how they are affected when they travel. The findings showed that over half (52%) of adults reported that the condition had disturbed them while traveling for business or personal reasons at some point. As a result, a quarter of the people surveyed said they had to change their travel plans because of their condition. As 81% of those affected with GERD say they are uncomfortable while traveling and 57% say they are unable to participate in all the activities they want to while they are away, Dr. Cobrin provides travel tips for patients to relieve potential discomfort when on a trip. More about Dr. Gena Cobrin: Dr. Gena Cobrin, a gastroenterologist in Fairfield, Connecticut, joined Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield County, P.C in 2005, the same year she joined St. Vincent’s Medical Center as an Attending Physician. Dr. Cobrin attended Princeton University as an undergraduate before attending New York University (NYU) School of Medicine. She went on to become an Internal Medical Resident and Chief Medical Resident at NYU before joining Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City as a Fellow and Chief Gastroenterology Fellow. Dr. Cobrin, having conducted extensive research in many areas of GI including Crohn’s Disease, has been published in several prominent medical journals including Gastroenterology and American Journal of Gastroenterology. She is currently a member of American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. For more information, visit http://www.GERD.com