Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

When To Call a Doctor

The main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an uncomfortable feeling of burning, warmth, heat, or pain just behind the breastbone, a feeling commonly referred to as heartburn. Sometimes heartburn can feel like the chest pain of a heart attack. Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you have:

• Chest pain that is crushing or squeezing, feels like a heavy weight on the chest, or is occurring with any of the following symptoms:
  • Sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain that spreads from the chest to the neck or jaw or one or both shoulders or arms
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Fast or irregular pulse
  • Signs of shock, such as lightheadedness or rapid, shallow breathing
  • Chest pain (that has been previously diagnosed as a heart problem by a doctor) that has not gone away after using your home treatment plan to treat it

Call your doctor immediately if you:

• Vomit blood.
• Have bloody, black, or maroon-colored stools.
• Have chest pain and have not been diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Call your doctor if you have GERD symptoms:

• That are not improving after 2 weeks of home treatment, are different or getting worse, or are interfering with normal activities.
• With choking or difficulty swallowing.
• Along with any significant weight loss.
• That have occurred frequently over several years and are only partially relieved with lifestyle changes and nonprescription medicines that reduce or block acid. These include antacids (such as Tums), H2 blockers (such as Pepcid), or proton pump inhibitors (such as Prilosec OTC).

Watchful Waiting

Occasional mild heartburn can often be relieved by making lifestyle changes and taking nonprescription medicines that reduce or block acid. These include antacids (such as Tums), H2 blockers (such as Pepcid), or proton pump inhibitors (such as Prilosec OTC). Contact a doctor if any of the above symptoms develop.

If you have not been diagnosed with GERD but you have symptoms such as heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth, see the topic Heartburn.

Who To See

The following health professionals can evaluate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):

• Family medicine doctor
• General practice doctor
• Internist
• Physician assistant (PA)
• Nurse practitioner (NP)
• Pediatrician, if you think your child has GERD symptoms
• Obstetrician or gynecologist, if you are pregnant

You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive tract (gastroenterologist) to check severe GERD symptoms or to get an opinion on whether surgery is necessary. If you are thinking about having surgery, you may also be referred to a general surgeon who has experience treating stomach and esophagus problems.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

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Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: March 31, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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