Overview
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease occurs when the lower oesophageal sphincter relaxes inappropriately, allowing stomach acid into the oesophagus. This causes burning chest discomfort, acid regurgitation and sometimes cough or hoarseness.
Contributing factors include weight, late meals, alcohol, smoking, caffeine, hiatus hernia and certain medications. Helicobacter pylori infection can also cause dyspepsia and is worth testing for in persistent cases.
When to seek urgent medical help
- • Difficulty or pain on swallowing, or food sticking - urgent assessment
- • Unintentional weight loss, vomiting blood or black tarry stools - urgent
- • Chest pain with sweating, breathlessness or arm or jaw pain - call emergency services
Symptoms and signs
- Burning discomfort rising from the stomach to the chest, worse lying down
- Acid or bitter fluid coming into the throat or mouth
- Discomfort after large or late meals
- Persistent dry cough, hoarseness or a lump-in-throat sensation
- Bloating, belching or early fullness
- Disturbed sleep because of night-time symptoms
Management and treatment
A proton pump inhibitor taken 30 minutes before breakfast for 4-8 weeks is the most effective treatment, alongside practical measures such as raising the head of the bed, avoiding late meals and weight reduction.
Your ChatDoc doctor screens for alarm features requiring endoscopy, advises on H. pylori testing where appropriate and prescribes a treatment course with a plan for stepping down afterwards.
Prescription treatment options
Proton pump inhibitors
Omeprazole, lansoprazole or esomeprazole for 4-8 weeks, then step-down or on-demand use.
H2 blockers
Famotidine as an alternative or for night-time breakthrough symptoms.
Alginate preparations
Raft-forming liquids taken after meals and at bedtime for immediate relief.
H. pylori testing and eradication
Breath or stool testing with combination antibiotic therapy where positive.
Any prescription is issued only after a doctor has reviewed your case and considers the treatment safe and appropriate for you.
Your online Acid Reflux & GORD assessment
- 1
Tell us about your concern
Share symptoms, past treatments, medicines and relevant health information.
- 2
Upload clear photos
Upload photos of your concern where applicable.
- 3
Doctor reviews your case
Technology helps organise your answers, but every assessment and prescription decision is made by a doctor, who may message you if they need more information.
- 4
Get your personalised plan
A personalised prescription is issued if treatment is clinically appropriate.
Prognosis and outlook
Most people improve substantially within 1-2 weeks and are symptom-free by the end of an 8-week course. Symptoms recur in around half of people when treatment stops, so maintenance or on-demand therapy is common.
Weight loss, meal timing and reducing alcohol produce lasting improvement independent of medication.
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This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Always seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms. ChatDoc is not an emergency service. Call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) for life-threatening emergencies or 111 for urgent non-emergency help. Do not wait for an online reply.