Symptoms of GERD

GERD's symptoms range from the classic and well-known to less obvious ones that can delay recognizing the underlying cause.

Classic Symptoms

Heartburn (a burning sensation in the chest, often after eating, lying down, or bending over) and regurgitation (a sour or bitter taste from stomach contents backing up into the throat or mouth) are the hallmark symptoms.

Less Obvious Symptoms

Chronic cough, hoarseness or voice changes, a sensation of a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing, and even worsening asthma can all result from acid reflux reaching the throat or airways — these "atypical" presentations are a common reason GERD goes unrecognized for a while, since they don't obviously point to a digestive cause.

What Makes Symptoms Worse

Large meals, lying down soon after eating, certain foods (fatty, spicy, or acidic foods, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol), smoking, and excess weight around the abdomen commonly worsen symptoms.

Warning Signs That Need Prompt Evaluation

See a doctor promptly for difficulty or pain with swallowing, unintentional weight loss, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, black, tarry stools, or reflux symptoms that start for the first time after age 60 — these can indicate a complication needing more thorough evaluation.