Your GP or consultant will discuss your symptoms with you. They'll normally be able to make a diagnosis based on this. In some cases, they may also carry out other tests at a later date. These might include: a gastroscopy to look into your throat and/or stomach using a telescope and camera barium swallow test to spot issues in your throat and/or stomach 24-hour tube test to measure the amount of acidity in your stomach PH study

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

PROLONGED AND PERSISTENT ACID REFLUX

If your heartburn isn't going away, you may have GORD — we can help

What is GORD?

Acid reflux is when fluid from your stomach travels up into your oesophagus (the muscular tube running from your mouth to your stomach). This can lead to heartburn and other symptoms. If acid reflux keeps happening it could be a sign of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). One in five people will have some form of GORD a week.

Need to know

Symptoms of GORD

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease can be caused by a number of things. It could be down to the failure of the 'valve' between your oesophagus and stomach. If this valve moves, becomes weak or opens spontaneously, it can lead to acid reflex. Other causes might include being overweight, pregnancy, smoking and eating fatty foods. Some common symptoms of GORD include:

heartburn (a burning sensation behind your breast bone)
regurgitation (feeling of liquid moving up to the mouth)
an unpleasant taste in the mouth
difficulty swallowing
excessive belching
stomach pains
a hoarse voice
chest pain
coughing

Diagnosis

Your GP or consultant will discuss your symptoms with you. They'll normally be able to make a diagnosis based on this. In some cases, they may also carry out other tests at a later date. These might include:

a gastroscopy to look into your throat and/or stomach using a telescope and camera
barium swallow test to spot issues in your throat and/or stomach
24-hour tube test to measure the amount of acidity in your stomach
PH study

Potential treatment options

Your GP or consultant will discuss your treatment options with you. Depending on the nature of your symptoms and any test results, these could range from over-the-counter medicines to stronger drugs. In some cases, they may recommend anti-reflex surgery.