Symptoms:

More common symptoms are:

• Feeling that food may be left trapped behind the breastbone
• Heartburn or a burning pain in the chest (under the breastbone)
  • Increased by bending, stooping, lying down, or eating
  • More likely or worse at night
  • Relieved by antacids
• Nausea after eating

Less common symptoms are:

• Cough or wheezing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hiccups
• Hoarseness or change in voice
• Regurgitation of food
• Sore throat

Signs and tests:

You may not need any tests if your symptoms are not severe.

If your symptoms are severe or they come back after you have been treated, one or more tests may help diagnose reflux or any complications:

• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is often used to identify the cause and examine the esophagus (swallowing tube) for damage. The doctor inserts a thin tube with a camera on the end through your mouth. The tube is then passed into your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
• Barium swallow
• Continuous esophageal pH monitoring
• Esophageal manometry

A positive stool occult blood test may diagnose bleeding from the irritation in the esophagus.