Symptoms of GORD

The main symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) are heartburn and acid reflux.

Heartburn

Heartburn is an uncomfortableburning sensation in the chest.

It's usually felt just below your breastbone, but can spread up to the throat in some people.

Thediscomfort is usually worse after eating, or when bending over or lying down.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux is where acidand otherstomach contents arebrought back up (regurgitated)into your throat and mouth.

It usually causes an unpleasant, sour taste at the back of your mouth.

Othersymptoms

If you have GORD, you may also experience:

• a sore, inflamed oesophagus (oesophagitis)
• bad breath
• bloating and belching
• feeling or being sick
• difficulty swallowing, whichmay feellike a piece of food is stuck low down in your throat
• pain when swallowing
• asore throatand hoarseness
• a persistentcoughor wheezing, which may be worse at night
• tooth decay andgum disease

If you also haveasthma, the symptoms may get worse as a result of stomach acid irritating your airways.