GERD & Acid Reflux: When Heartburn Needs Attention

Frequent heartburn, sour regurgitation and meal-related discomfort are common, but persistent symptoms or alarm features deserve medical review.

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents move back into the food pipe. Occasional reflux is common; gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) describes recurrent symptoms or complications that affect quality of life.

Common symptoms

Typical symptoms include burning behind the breastbone, sour or bitter fluid in the mouth, belching and discomfort after meals or when lying down. Some people also notice chronic throat irritation or cough.

What usually helps

Smaller meals, avoiding lying down soon after eating, weight management when appropriate, reducing personally triggering foods and taking prescribed acid-suppressing treatment correctly can help. Long-term medication should be reviewed periodically rather than self-adjusted.

When to consult promptly

Seek medical assessment for difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, recurrent vomiting, vomiting blood, black stools, unexplained weight loss, persistent anaemia, new severe symptoms or chest pain. Chest pain should never automatically be assumed to be acidity.

Important: This page provides general health education and cannot diagnose an individual. New, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms need direct medical assessment.

Emergency symptoms: If there is severe chest pain, major breathing difficulty, new weakness/speech difficulty, loss of consciousness, seizure, severe bleeding or another rapidly life-threatening problem, seek emergency medical care rather than waiting for an online response.