Diagnosing GERD

If you regularly experience acid reflux, it is important to see a health care provider to determine whether you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Your provider can identify whether your symptoms are caused by GERD or another condition and guide next steps.

Before your appointment, it can be helpful to write down your questions, concerns and symptoms to share with your provider. You may want to track:

• When symptoms happen
• How often you have them
• How long they last
• What seems to cause them
• What helps you feel better
• How symptoms impact your life

At your appointment, your provider will likely ask about what you eat, when you eat and which foods trigger your symptoms. They may want to know if you smoke or drink alcohol, how physically active you are and what you do to manage stress.

They may also ask about any medications and supplements you are taking and your personal or family history of digestive problems. 

How GERD is diagnosed

If your provider suspects GERD, they may recommend one or more diagnostic tests to confirm the condition and assess its severity. With that information, they can recommend a treatment plan that will work for you.

GERD diagnostic tests may include:

• Endoscopy: In this test, your provider starts by giving you a sedation (calming) medicine so you are comfortable and don’t feel anything during the procedure. They will then pass a flexible, narrow tube with a very small camera (an endoscope) through your mouth and into your esophagus (the tube-like part of your digestive system that connects your throat to your stomach) and stomach. Endoscopy may identify inflammation, irritation or damage. A small tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken to check for related conditions, such as Barrett’s esophagus.
• pH monitoring test: With pH monitoring, your provider measures how often acid reaches your esophagus and how long it stays there. That way, your provider can tell how often you have acid reflux episodes and how long they last. pH monitoring tests can be done in two ways: by placing a small tube through your nose and into your esophagus or placing a small capsule into the esophagus during an endoscopy. The capsule records the acidity levels then falls away and easily passes through the body when it’s no longer needed.
• Barium swallow test: A type of X-ray in which you swallow barium, a liquid that helps highlight the esophagus and any abnormalities on imaging.
• Esophageal manometry: For this test, your provider places a thin, flexible tube through your nose and into your esophagus and stomach. The tube has pressure sensors that can measure how strong and coordinated the muscles are in your esophagus.

Your health care team will help ensure you are comfortable during diagnostic testing.

With an endoscopy, you will need someone to drive you home and you may want to rest for the remainder of the day while the medication wears off. For most other tests, you can usually return to your normal activities right away.  

Next steps after a GERD diagnosis

If you are diagnosed with GERD, several treatment options may be recommended, including lifestyle changes, medication and, in some cases, surgery.

Learn more about GERD treatment options.