Acid reflux

Some common symptoms of acid reflux include:

• heartburn (a burning sensation behind your breast bone)
• regurgitation (a feeling of liquid moving up to your mouth)
• an unpleasant taste in your mouth
• a hoarse voice
• coughing
• bloating

If your acid reflux isn't going away, it may be a sign of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The symptoms of GORD tend to be more frequent and severe than normal acid reflux.

Your GP or consultant will discuss your symptoms with you. They'll normally be able to make a diagnosis based on this discussion. If you've been experiencing persistent acid reflux, they may also carry out other tests at a later date to rule out GORD and other conditions.

These tests might include:

• a gastroscopy to look into your throat and/or stomach using a telescope and camera
• a barium swallow test to spot issues in your throat and/or stomach
• a 24-hour tube test to measure the amount of acidity in your stomach

Your GP or consultant will discuss your treatment options with you.

Depending on the nature of your symptoms and any test results, these could range from over-the-counter medicines to stronger drugs.

Quite often, your symptoms will clear up on their own over time by making simple dietary or lifestyle changes.