Where is GERD usually felt?

Heartburn is a symptom of many different conditions, including acid reflux and GERD. It typically feels like a burning in the center of your chest, behind your breastbone. Heartburn can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.


Where are GERD symptoms felt?

The main symptoms are persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation. Some people have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they experience pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning or trouble swallowing. You may feel like you have food stuck in your throat, or like you are choking or your throat is tight.

Where does GERD hurt the most?

Overview. Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over.


What is commonly mistaken for GERD?

Heartburn-like pain is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but several other conditions can cause a burning feeling in your chest, including gallstones, stomach ulcer and esophageal cancer.

Where does your stomach hurt with GERD?

Whether you call it “heartburn” or its official name, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), this digestive disorder can cause pain, most often in the chest and throat. GERD can also cause stomach pain, which is usually felt in the upper abdomen.


Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)



How do I know if I have GERD or gastritis?

Even though they're thought of as interchangeable, there is one key difference between gastritis vs. GERD. And that's where the inflammation takes place in your body. With gastritis, you're looking at inflammation in the stomach, while GERD involves inflammation in your esophagus.

Does GERD hurt all the time?

GERD can cause chest pain that mimics a heart attack. Described as a squeezing pressure behind the breast bone, GERD-related chest pain can last for hours. And like a heart attack, it can also radiate down your arm to your back.

What are the red flags for GERD?

GERD and Dyspepsia: Red Flags / Alarm Symptoms
  • Dysphagia.
  • Odynophagia.
  • GI Bleeding.
  • Anemia (Unexplained iron deficiency anemia)
  • Unintentional weight loss.
  • Recurrent or persistent vomiting.
  • Palpable mass or lymphadenopathy.
  • Family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer.


Can GERD make you feel weird?

Reflux symptoms can also include a weird feeling in your throat, chest pain, and more. There it is again: That painful, fiery sensation rising up into your chest and throat. Your mind jumps to that greasy piece of pizza you instantly regret eating—and you know the acid reflux it spurred is about to burn.

Can you diagnose GERD without endoscopy?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease can be diagnosed in the office, without the need for expensive tests such as endoscopy. Learn how to make the right diagnosis while avoiding confounding symptoms that might steer a patient toward the wrong specialist.

When is GERD usually worse?

Symptoms that get worse after eating, bending or lying down may further suggest you have GERD. This includes chest pain, or heartburn, which occurs just above the stomach, caused by the contents of the stomach coming up into your esophagus.


Can GERD make your back hurt?

If not effectively treated, acid reflux can turn into chronic cases of GERD. The symptoms of GERD include heartburn which can cause lower back pain. The pain in your chest and throat can radiate to your lower back.

What causes GERD to flare up?

Foods that are high in fat or deep-fried are hard to resist because they taste good. Foods high in fat aggravate GERD symptoms because they cause your lower esophageal sphincter to relax. In turn, stomach acid can flow upward through the sphincter and into your esophagus.

Can GERD feel everyday?

Severe chronic GERD sufferers can experience symptoms as often as several times a week or even daily.


How do doctors know if you have GERD?

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy

A pathologist will examine the tissue under a microscope. Doctors may order an upper GI endoscopy to check for complications of GERD or problems other than GERD that may be causing your symptoms. Your doctor may order an upper GI endoscopy to help diagnose GERD.

How does a doctor confirm GERD?

A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets your health care provider examine the esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine, called the duodenum. Your health care provider might be able to diagnose GERD based on a history of your signs and symptoms and a physical examination.

What are the serious side effects of GERD?

Long-Term Effects of GERD Untreated gastroesophageal reflux disease can lead to esophagitis - inflammation of the esophagus. Stomach acid is very irritating to the lining of the esophagus and can cause long-term damage. Over time, you could develop a painful ulcer.


Can anxiety cause GERD symptoms?

There is some evidence to suggest that stress and anxiety may provoke acid reflux or make the symptoms worse. For instance, a 2018 study involving more than 19,000 people found that those with anxiety were more likely to experience GERD symptoms.

Can GERD make you feel sick and tired?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic, recurrent disease. Reflux esophagitis can interfere with sleep via acid reflux, which can cause daytime sleepiness or fatigue. However, little is known about the association between reflux esophagitis and fatigue.

How do I know if its GERD or my heart?

Heartburn usually starts as burning in the top part of the stomach that moves up into the chest. A heart attack usually causes pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest that may go to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. Heartburn is usually relieved by antacids. Heart attack symptoms aren't.


How do I know what stage of GERD I have?

Stage 1 (mild): A person has infrequent heartburn and regurgitation happening once or less each week. Stage 2 (moderate): A person has regurgitation or heartburn occurring a few times a week. Stage 3 (severe): A person has regular heartburn, a chronic cough, regurgitation, a hoarse voice, and regurgitation of food.

How do you know if GERD has damaged your esophagus?

Damage to Your Esophagus

Symptoms include painful swallowing, nausea, and chest pain. Your doctor will prescribe medicine to control your GERD and treat the ulcer.

How long does a flare up of GERD last?

GERD is a medical condition in which acidic liquids in the stomach leak up into the esophagus. Minor cases of GERD can heal in less than a month while moderate cases can take 6 to 12 weeks of treatment.


Can GERD suddenly go away?

GERD is a potentially serious condition, and it will not go away on its own. Untreated GERD can lead to inflammation of the esophagus and cause complications like ulcers, strictures and increased risk of Barrett's esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer.

How long does it take to cure GERD?

Studies have shown proton pump inhibitor therapy can provide complete endoscopic mucosal healing of esophagitis at 6 to 8 weeks in 75% to 100% of cases. Although healing of the esophagus may occur in 6 to 8 weeks, it should not be misunderstood that gastroesophageal reflux can be cured in that amount of time.