Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Do you get a burning sensation in your chest or throat after eating?
• Do you ever have a bitter or sour taste in your mouth?
• Do you ever have bloating or nausea after you eat?
• How often do you get these symptoms?
• Are the symptoms related to physical exertion?
• Are the symptoms worse when you are lying down or sitting up?
• Do you have black stools? Are you vomiting blood?
• Do you have a persistent cough?
• Do you have asthma or diabetes?
• Do you have a history of ulcer disease?
• Are you taking any medications that can cause bleeding (e.g., aspirin, other NSAIDs, corticosteroids)?
• Do you drink alcohol or smoke?
• Do you drink caffeine-containing beverages?
• Do you eat a lot of dietary fat?
• How soon after you eat at night do you go to bed?
• Have you tried any over-the-counter medications? If so, do they help?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Chest and lung exam
• Abdominal exam and rectal exam (if there is a history of bloody stools)

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Upper GI or barium swallow
• Upper endoscopy (internal examination of the esophagus and stomach)
• pH probe (to assess the acid level in the esophagus and stomach)
• Manometry (to measure the pressure of the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach)
• Stool testing for blood
• Complete blood cell count (if there is a history of blood loss in the stool or vomit)