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Gastroesophageal reflux disease - Symptom

Alternative Names

Peptic esophagitis; Reflux esophagitis; GERD; Heartburn - chronic

Symptoms:

Belching
Cough or wheezing
Difficulty swallowing
Heartburn
- Involves a burning pain in the chest (under the breastbone)
- Increased by bending, stooping, lying down, or eating
- More frequent or worse at night
- Relieved by antacids
Hoarseness or change in voice
Nausea and vomiting
Regurgitation of food
Sore throat
Vomiting blood

Signs and tests:

A number of tests may help diagnose reflux or identify complications:

A barium swallow showing reflux
A positive Bernstein test for gastric acid reflux
Continuous esophageal pH monitoring showing reflux
Endoscopy showing ulceration or inflammation of the esophagus, or Barrett's esophagus
Esophageal manometry showing abnormal sphincter pressure
A positive stool guaiac, which may diagnose bleeding from the irritation in the esophagus

Digestive system

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Upper gastrointestinal system

Gastroesophageal reflux - series

Reviewed last on: 9/7/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Wang, KK, Sampliner, R E. Updated guidelines 2008 for the diagnosis, surveillance and therapy of Barrett's esophagus. Am J Gastroenterol. 2008;103(3):788-97.

Khan, M, Santana, J, Donnellan, C, Preston, C, Moayyedi, P. Medical treatments in the short term management of reflux oesophagitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev(2). 2007;CD003244.

Wilson, J F. In the clinic. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149(3): ITC2-1-15; quiz ITC2-16

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