Relief from ‘Silent Reflux’ and ‘Throatburn’ is Finally Available with Reflux Band

First-of-its-kind wearable, cost-effective device that reduces or eliminates laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is now available without a prescription

GERMANTOWN, Wis., Sept. 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Somna Therapeutics, LLC, announced today the launch of its FDA cleared, over-the-counter (OTC) medical device Reflux Band™, formerly only available through prescription as Reza Band. Reflux Band is the first-of-its-kind wearable device that reduces or eliminates laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), without the need for medication or surgery. An estimated 20 to 40 percent of adults in North America report chronic acid reflux or regurgitation symptoms.1,2

Reflux Band controls acid reflux symptoms associated with LPR or “silent reflux.” LPR is often confused with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as they have similar symptoms, but they affect the body differently. LPR refers to the backflow of food or stomach acid all the way up into the larynx (voice box) or the pharynx (throat), while GERD is caused by the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus only, leading to heartburn. While both LPR and GERD patients may experience heartburn, it is more common in GERD patients.

“Within 30 days of using Reflux Band, I saw a great improvement in my health,” said Ted Mueller of Wisconsin.  “I’ve been using Reflux Band for over a year now and my acid reflux has completely disappeared. As a bonus, there is only a one-time cost when using Reflux Band, so I’m no longer wasting money every month at the pharmacy purchasing acid-reducing drugs. This is a product that I would recommend to other people.”

Anyone can have LPR − adults, children, even babies − but it shows up more often among adults due to causes such as pregnancy, age, genetics, diet or other medical conditions. In adults, the symptoms of LPR include nighttime regurgitation, feeling of “throatburn” and irritation, constant cough or throat clearing, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, postnasal drip and reflux-induced sleep disruption. Sometimes, reflux can make other conditions worse, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).3

“Reflux Band has already helped thousands of reflux sufferers find relief from their chronic acid reflux symptoms,” said Nick Maris, president and chief executive officer of Somna Therapeutics, the makers of Reflux Band. “Reflux Band is as effective as it is easy-to-use and has been clinically proven to be safe. We’re so confident Reflux Band will work for you, we offer a 30-day money back guarantee. We are proud to offer it without the need for a prescription to the millions who suffer from this condition.”

Reflux Band is designed to be worn around the neck, while you sleep, applying a slight, external pressure just below your Adam’s apple. Reflux Band increases the internal pressure within the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), preventing acid reflux from reaching the throat, voice box and lungs. Clinical studies have shown significant symptom improvement from acid reflux after wearing the Reflux Band, with 86 percent of Reflux Band users seeing improvement within the first two weeks.

“After using Reflux Band for two weeks, I started sleeping more comfortably and was no longer getting a burning sensation in my throat,” said Shawna Duncan of Wisconsin. “I was eating better and feeling much more alert during the day. I feel like I am finally able to enjoy my time with my family again. Reflux Band has improved my life significantly.”

Patients with LPR are often recommended to take acid-reducing drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), by their doctors as a first step to manage their symptoms. However, many LPR patients have limited to no symptom relief taking acid-reducing drugs. Reflux Band is a clinically proven alternative to PPI or H2 blocker medications for treating LPR. Additionally, physicians reported being satisfied with Reflux Band 95 percent of the time.

“What leads to LPR is a physical problem in protecting the airway, and it requires a solution that strengthens the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), the last barrier to keep stomach contents from regurgitating back into your throat and lungs,” said Reza Shaker, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin. “Reflux Band allows a weak or dysfunctional UES to operate as a healthy UES and keep the stomach contents from entering your throat and lungs, especially during sleep. Acid-reducing drugs do not strengthen the UES barrier and according to some recent studies their long-term use may be associated with several health risks, such as hip fracture, anemia, pneumonia and infectious colitis, among others.”

For more information on Reflux Band, visit www.refluxband.com.

About Reflux Band

Reflux Band™ (formerly known as Reza Band) is the first-of-its-kind wearable device that reduces or eliminates nighttime acid reflux and throat burn. The Reflux Band is founded on scientific and clinical research conducted over 20 years by a leading gastroenterologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Reza Shaker. Clinical studies show that when external pressure is applied at the cricoid region of the neck, right below the Adam’s apple, reflux is kept from passing through the UES, thereby reducing the chronic health problems associated with acid reflux into the throat and lungs. This research also demonstrated significant improvement in patients’ pulmonary, pharyngeal, and laryngeal symptoms. Eighty six percent of patients had a successful outcome with significant reduction in symptoms after two weeks, while physicians reported being satisfied with the Reflux Band 95 percent of the time. Reflux Band was approved by the FDA in 2015 and is available in the U.S. and selected international markets.

About Somna Therapeutics, LLC

Somna Therapeutics, LLC, provides medical devices for the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux and extraesophageal acid reflux diseases. It offers Reflux Band, a non-pharmacologic, wearable device that prevents reflux into the larynx, pharynx and lungs. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Germantown, Wisconsin.

Media Contact:
Sara Dunn, JPA Health Communications
sdunn@jpa.com

References

1 Agreus L, Svardsudd K, Talley NJ, et al. Natural history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional abdominal disorders: a population-based study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001;96:2905–2914.

2 Fedorak RN, Veldhuyzen van Zanten S, Bridges R. Canadian Digestive Health Foundation public impact series: gastroesophageal reflux disease in Canada: incidence, prevalence, and direct and indirect economic impact. Can J Gastroenterol. 2010;24:431–434.

3 Belafsky PC, Postma GN, and Koufman JA. Validity and reliability of the reflux symptom index (RSI). Journal of Voice. 2002. 16(2): 274-277.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/791ae40b-4ddc-4209-a3a4-81879c18b442

 

Ads