Occur with choking or trouble swallowing.

Do not improve after 2 weeks of home treatment, are different or are getting worse, or are interfering with normal activities.

Have bloody, black, or maroon-colored stools.

Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders or arms.ДЄfter you call 911, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength or 2 to 4 low-dose aspirin.

Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.

Sometimes heartburn can feel like the chest pain of a heart attack.Д¬all 911 or other emergency services immediately if: The main symptom of GERD is an uncomfortable feeling of burning, warmth, heat, or pain just behind the breastbone. Other things can make stomach juices back up, such as: If your symptoms are worse after you eat a certain food, you may want to stop eating it to see if your symptoms get better. These may include chocolate, mint, alcohol, pepper, spicy foods, high-fat foods, or drinks with caffeine in them, such as tea, coffee, colas, or energy drinks. Some things may relax the valve so it doesn't close tightly or some foods and drinks can make GERD worse. GERD usually happens when the valve relaxes at the wrong time and stays open too long. Stomach acid and juices flow back up (reflux) into the esophagus. With GERD, the valve doesn't close tightly enough. When you swallow, the valve lets food pass into the stomach. It acts like a one-way valve between the esophagus and the stomach. GERD happens because of a problem with the ring of muscle at the end of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter. For night-time symptoms, raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches. After eating, wait 2 to 3 hours before lying down. Avoid foods that make your GERD worse, like chocolate, mint, and spicy foods. These may include prescription or over-the-counter medicines. If symptoms persist, a doctor may suggest more testing, a change in medicine, or surgery. Try medicines such as antacids (like Tums) or H2 blockers (like Pepcid). For example, eating several small meals a day instead of three large ones may help. Treatment starts with changing your habits and taking over-the-counter medicines. If your heartburn goes away after you take the medicine, your doctor will probably diagnose GERD. If you do, your doctor may recommend a medicine that reduces or blocks stomach acid. Your doctor may ask about your symptoms, such as whether you often have heartburn. It is common to have symptoms at night when you're trying to sleep. You may also have a sour or bitter taste in your mouth. It may feel like a burning, warmth, or pain just behind the breastbone. The main symptom of GERD is ongoing heartburn. Stomach acid and juices from the stomach flow back up (reflux) into the esophagus. A valve opens to let the food pass into the stomach, and then the valve closes. Normally when you swallow food, it travels down the esophagus. With GERD, the reflux and heartburn last longer and happen more often. But having heartburn from time to time doesn't mean that you have GERD. This can also cause pain and swelling in your esophagus (esophagitis).Д®ating too much late at night or before lying down sometimes can cause heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth. When you have heartburn that bothers you often, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

Reflux means that stomach acid and juices flow from the stomach back up into the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.

Condition Basics What is gastroesophageal reflux

Peptic relux disease