Acid reflux causes the feeling of heartburn. It can happen when contents from your stomach move back up your esophagus. People that have these symptoms of acid reflux on a weekly basis might have a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
How Common Is GERD?
In the United States, about 20% of people can be affected by GERD, which can be serious if left untreated. Many people can experience heartburn in the morning. Waking up with heartburn can be frustrating and some people can even experience a sour or bitter taste in their mouth.
What Are The Symptoms Of GERD?
The main symptom that people experience is acid reflux, which causes an uncomfortable burning feeling in your chest. This feeling of heartburn can move up into your neck and throat. Some people even feel like it causes the type of chest pain associated with a heart attack. Some additional symptoms of GERD include nausea, chest pain, pain when swallowing, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, a hoarse voice, and bad breath.
How Is GERD Diagnosed?
A doctor will diagnose GERD based on a physical examination and your medical history. You will also need to talk to your doctor about some of the foods you eat in order to see if you should avoid certain foods. If necessary, your doctor may have you get a procedure to further assess your condition. The most common tests for GERD are an upper GI series or an endoscopy.
Schedule Your Visit Today
For a more personalized assessment, contact our concierge staff to schedule a consultation with a board certified Hoag Concierge physician. We offer a wide variety of comprehensive health screenings and testing that can help diagnose GERD and treat symptoms related to acid reflux. Start feeling better today! Call us at 949-629-2600 or click here to schedule an appointment today.
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