How to Diagnose GERD

Severe heartburn can be the first sign that something is not quite right in your body. Those suffering from frequent heartburn may have a condition call gastroesophaegeal reflux disease (GERD). There are several tests you will have to undergo in order to be diagnosed for the disease.

• Some doctors will diagnose GERD based on whether the medications they give you are able to treat your present symptoms. Most will prescribe a proton-pump inhibitor to treat the condition. If the proton-pump inhibitor does not work, you can expect to undergo a more invasive test. This is usually done in the case of those who have difficulty swallowing or have bleeding present.




• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a very accurate procedure that is done to view the esophagus and throat for abnormalities. A small tube is inserted into the throat along with a camera attached to it. The camera is used to give the physician a better look at the inside of the patients throat and esophagus. Patients are given a sedative during the procedure.




• Barium shakes are used for those who will need to have their stomach lining observed. Drinking the solution can be very difficult because of the taste. Doctors will be able to tell if you have a hiatal hernia or stomach ulcers that could be causing further problems.