My Acid Reflux Coach - Are you sure you have GERD?

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Are you sure you have GERD? How were you diagnosed?

Maybe your symptoms are the result of something else besides acid reflux. 

For example, Eosinophilic Esophagitis is often mistaken for GERD as it can have similar, if not identical, symptoms to acid relfux. See this page for more info on Eosinophilic Esophagitis:https://www.empr.com/features/eosinophilic-esophagitis-can-be-mistaken-for-gerd/article/261625/

Other diseases that may be mistaken for GERD:
a.) Gastroparesis
b.) Gastritis
c.) Stomach Ulcers
d.) Heart disease
e.) Gallstones
f.) Pleuritis
g.) Celiac's Disease
h.) Achalasia
For more info: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20528575,00.html#esophageal-cancer-1

The current best test for the diagnosis of reflux disease is esophageal pH monitoring where "a thin tube is passed through your nose or mouth to your stomach. The tube is then pulled back into your esophagus. A monitor attached to the tube measures the acid level in your esophagus. You will wear the monitor on a strap and record your symptoms and activity over the next 24 hours in a diary. You will return to the hospital the next day and the tube will be removed. The information from the monitor will be compared with your diary notes."For more information see: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003401.htm

Its common practice for doctors to hand out acid suppressant medication called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) before any diagnostic testing. A primary care physicians diagnosis of GERD commonly depends on how the patient responds to PPIs. But PPI testing in this way may be inaccurate and may have side effects (e.g. acid rebound, bacterial overgrowth, food allergies, etc)
See: https://www.refluxmd.com/gerd-often-misdiagnosed-2/

Written by: My Acid Reflux Coach