Unlock the Hidden GERD Warning Signs Your Doctor Might Miss – Don’t Ignore These Silent Signals!

Ever feel that fiery dance in your chest after a big meal or can’t seem to shake off that nagging sore throat? You might be dealing with more than just a little indigestion—it could be gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Imagine the valve between your stomach and esophagus as a gatekeeper; when it’s slack, stomach acid sneaks back up, turning your chest into a burning battleground. Sure, acid reflux pops up for nearly everyone now and then—usually no big deal. But when it becomes a relentless visitor, wreaking havoc multiple times a week, that’s when the alarm bells should ring loud. According to Dr. Kerry Dunbar, a top doc in gastroenterology, about one in five Americans are dealing with this on a weekly basis, and it can lead to some serious esophageal damage if left unchecked. So, what’s really driving this pesky problem—especially as we age—and how can you tell if your heartburn is more than just a fleeting flame? Let’s dive deep into the ins and outs of GERD, uncovering the sneaky symptoms to watch for and what steps you can take before it escalates into something far more troublesome. Ready to get to the bottom of that burning question? LEARN MORE

That burning in your chest after meals or the sore throat you can’t quite shake may be symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The condition develops when the valve between the esophagus and stomach doesn’t close properly, allowing stomach contents to wash back upward.

Occasional acid reflux is common and usually harmless. Almost everyone experiences it from time to time. GERD is when it becomes frequent or severe, causing repeated symptoms or, over time, leading to complications that need medical attention, says Kerry Dunbar, MD, Professor of Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Section Chief of Gastroenterology at the Dallas VA Medical Center. 

“About one in five people in the United States will have heartburn every week or a little bit of acid reflux,” says Dr. Dunbar. “For many people, reflux is tied to things like large meals, alcohol or fried foods. But if symptoms are happening more than occasionally, they can damage the esophagus and, in some cases, lead to precancerous changes.”

GERD becomes more common with age

Dr. Dunbar says GERD is the most common GI condition that brings people to gastroenterologists. For women over 50, symptoms often become more noticeable around midlife. Many assume hormone fluctuations are the main culprit, but research hasn’t confirmed that link, Dr. Dunbar says. Instead, extra pounds that creep on in midlife, shifts in metabolism and disrupted sleep are more likely to play a role.

“As you age, you don’t metabolize caffeine as well,” she says. “Sleep can be affected, and sometimes that ties in with reflux symptoms. But it’s not a direct cause from hormone fluctuations.”

GERD symptoms to watch for

While the most common symptoms of GERD include heartburn and regurgitation, Dr. Dunbar notes that the condition doesn’t always trigger the textbook warning signs. She says some people may experience less-typical symptoms, such as:

• Throat clearing
• Voice changes
• Coughing 
• Excess saliva
• Belching
• Nausea
• Dental erosion (from years of acid exposure)

The condition may lead to serious complications

While occasional reflux after a heavy meal isn’t unusual, symptoms that happen several times a week deserve medical attention. Left untreated, GERD can do more than disrupt daily comfort. Chronic acid exposure can inflame the esophagus, a condition called esophagitis, or create scar tissue that narrows it, known as a stricture.

“The important thing is not to ignore ongoing heartburn.” —Kerry Dunbar, MD

Although more rare, long-term reflux can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous change in the lining of the esophagus that may increase the risk of esophageal cancer. “These complications aren’t common, especially in women,” Dr. Dunbar explains. “But persistent symptoms should never be ignored.”

When to seek urgent medical attention

If GERD symptoms overlap with difficulty swallowing or the feeling that food is getting stuck, that’s concerning. “Those are what we call alarm symptoms,” Dr. Dunbar says. “And if someone is losing weight without trying, has pain when swallowing, is vomiting or notices bleeding, those are always reasons to see a doctor right away.”

Chest pain can also overlap with reflux, but Dr. Dunbar stresses that women should never assume heartburn is the cause. “If chest pain is part of the picture, I would definitely want patients to see the doctor and also ask questions about their heart,” she says. “That is a very important cause of chest pain and needs to be treated.”

What to do if you notice symptoms of GERD

If reflux shows up once in a while after a heavy meal, it’s usually not a major concern. “For occasional symptoms, antacids are good options,” says Dr. Dunbar. “Sometimes people find relief with over-the-counter acid blockers or by making simple changes, like avoiding really large meals, cutting back on alcohol or caffeine or not lying down right after eating.” 

Even something as simple as propping up the head of the bed or using a wedge pillow can help reduce nighttime reflux, she adds. (You can see more of our best GERD self-care tips here.)

When heartburn, regurgitation or other symptoms begin happening several times a week or start interfering with sleep or meals, it’s time to talk with a doctor. 

“Start with your primary care doctor and let them know what’s going on,” Dr. Dunbar advises. “They may suggest trying lifestyle changes or medication first. If symptoms persist, or if there are alarm signs like trouble swallowing, vomiting, weight loss or bleeding, that’s when it’s important to see a gastroenterologist.”

Diagnosing GERD

Specialists have several ways to evaluate reflux. “An upper endoscopy is often the first test,” Dr. Dunbar explains. “You’re given medication to make you sleepy, and we use a flexible scope to look at the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine.”

Doctors are checking for inflammation, scar tissue or a hiatal hernia—when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm—that can make reflux worse, she explains.

Other tools include pH monitoring, where either a tiny capsule or a thin tube measures acid levels in the esophagus for 24 to 48 hours, and esophageal manometry, which checks how well the muscles of the esophagus move food downward, she says.

How GERD is treated

If GERD symptoms are more frequent, doctors may prescribe stronger medication to reduce stomach acid, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medicines are usually very effective for people who need daily relief, Dr. Dunbar notes.

If reflux continues despite medication, or if someone prefers not to take medicine long term, surgery may also be an option.The most common procedure, called fundoplication, reinforces the valve between the stomach and esophagus. Another newer approach uses a bracelet-like ring of magnetic beads to help keep acid from flowing back upward, she says.

“Most people can find a plan that controls symptoms and protects their esophagus,” Dr. Dunbar says. “The important thing is not to ignore ongoing heartburn or regurgitation. Talk to your doctor so you can get the right diagnosis and treatment.”