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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffGERD signs and symptoms include:
- A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), sometimes spreading to the throat, along with a sour taste in your mouth
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Dry cough
- Hoarseness or sore throat
- Regurgitation of food or sour liquid (acid reflux)
- Sensation of a lump in the throat
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, especially when accompanied by other signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath or jaw or arm pain. These may be signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience severe or frequent GERD symptoms. If you turn to over-the-counter medications for heartburn more than twice per week, see your doctor.
- Heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/index.htm. Accessed April 17, 2009.
- Kahrilas PJ, et al. American Gastroenterological Association Institute Technical Review on the Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Gastroenterology. 2008;135:1392.
- Heartburn. American Gastroenterological Society. http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=848. Accessed April 17, 2009.
- Richter JE. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/133141408-5/0/1389/0.html. Accessed April 17, 2009.
- Liu JJ, et al. Endoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/grdtrtmnt.asp. Accessed April 17, 2009.
- Kahrilas PJ, et al. American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement on the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroenterology. 2008;135:1383.
- Kiefer D. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/133141408-4/0/1494/0.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Dickman R, et al. Clinical trial: Acupuncture vs. doubling the proton pump inhibitor in refractory heartburn. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2007;26:1333.
