From the Guidelines
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms typically include heartburn, regurgitation, non-cardiac chest pain, and extra-esophageal symptoms such as cough, dysphonia, sore throat, and globus, as noted in a 2022 study 1. These symptoms can vary in severity and presentation, and may be influenced by coexisting or confounding pathophysiology. The symptoms of GERD can be categorized into:
- Typical esophageal symptoms: heartburn and regurgitation
- Atypical esophageal symptoms: non-cardiac chest pain
- Extra-esophageal symptoms: cough, dysphonia, sore throat, and globus It is essential to recognize that up to 50% of patients may not derive adequate relief with empirical proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, highlighting the need for a personalized approach to the evaluation and management of GERD symptoms, as emphasized in a 2022 expert review 1. A personalized approach to GERD management involves developing a care plan that includes investigation of symptoms, selection of therapy, and long-term management, with a focus on patient education and shared decision-making, as recommended in the 2022 clinical practice update 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
The symptoms of GERD can be grouped into typical, atypical, and extra-esophageal symptoms. The most specific symptoms for GERD are:
- Acid regurgitation
- Heartburn 2 Other symptoms may include:
- Erosive esophagitis
- Peptic stricture
- Barrett's esophagus
- Esophageal adenocarcinoma
- Pulmonary disease 2, 3
Classification of Symptoms
The symptoms of GERD can be classified into:
- Typical symptoms: acid regurgitation and heartburn
- Atypical symptoms: cough, hoarseness, and chest pain
- Extra-esophageal symptoms: pulmonary disease and Barrett's esophagus 2, 4
Factors Affecting Symptoms
Certain factors can affect the symptoms of GERD, including:
- Diet: salty foods, chocolates, fat-rich foods, and aerated beverages may trigger reflux symptoms 4
- Lifestyle: head of the bed elevation, lying down position, smoking, fat or obesity, and physical exercise can influence GERD symptoms 5, 4
- Medical therapy: proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists, and antacids can help manage GERD symptoms 2, 3, 6