1. Heartburn: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow Pictures
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the GERD Quiz

Medical Author:

P John Simic, MD

Coauthor:

Vincent W Yang, MD, PhD

Medical Editor:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Although many people can relieve their reflux disease symptoms by changes in their habits, diet, and lifestyle, others need to consult their health care professional.

• Call your health care professional when symptoms of GERD occur frequently, disrupt your sleep, interfere with work or other activities, or are not relieved by self-care measures alone.
• Make your health care professional aware that you are using self-care measures or over-the-counter medications so that they can monitor how well they work and how often you need to use them.

If you have any of the following, go immediately to the emergency department:

• Severe chest pain or pressure, especially if it radiates to your arm, neck, or back
• Vomiting followed by severe chest pain
• Vomiting blood
• Dark, tarry stools
• Difficulty swallowing
• Shortness of breath

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