Your doctor will want to know how long you've had your symptoms, how often you get them and whether you've noticed anything that triggers them. For example, if you have heartburn, you may find it gets worse when you bend forward or lie down, or after you've eaten.

The most common symptoms of GERD are heartburn and the feeling that acid or bits of food are coming back up into your throat or mouth (regurgitation).

Most people get heartburn once in a while. But if you have heartburn or acid coming back up into your throat or mouth at least twice a week, you probably have GERD.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Dent J, Brun J, Fendwick AM.
An evidence-based appraisal of reflux disease management: the Genval Workshop Report.
Gut. 1999; 44 (supplement 1): S1-S16.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ If you don't have any other symptoms, there may be no reason for you to have any tests.

You may be prescribed medication right away. If your symptoms get better while you are taking this medication, there's a good chance that the diagnosis is right.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Dent J, Brun J, Fendwick AM.
An evidence-based appraisal of reflux disease management: the Genval Workshop Report.
Gut. 1999; 44 (supplement 1): S1-S16.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Jones R, Bytzer P.
Acid suppression in the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: an appraisal of treatment option in primary care.
Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2001; 15: 765-772.

 

 

 

 

 

²

Your doctor may decided to do some tests if:

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Medical Advisory Panel for the Pharmacy Benefits Management Strategic Healthcare Group.
VHA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the management of adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease in primary care practice.
Veterans Health Administration, Department of Defense, Washington, U.S.A.; 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

³

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
American College of Gastroenterology.
The word on GERD: understanding gerd, a consumer education brochure about gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Available at http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gerd/word.asp (accessed on 24 July 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

⁴

These symptoms could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as an ulcer in your esophagus or a blocked esophagus.

Your doctor may also suggest that you have tests to make sure there's nothing else that could be causing your symptoms. For example, if you have chest pain (one of the less common symptoms of GERD), your doctor may run some tests to check whether you have a heart problem.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Szarka LA, DeVault KR, Murray JA.
Diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2001; 76: 97-101.

 

 

 

 

 

⁵ And you may be offered tests if you are 55 or older.

Unfortunately, there isn't just one test that can prove you have GERD.

To learn more, see Tests for GERD.

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