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Heartburn/GERD Health Center

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Heartburn - Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

Chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
Abdominal pain: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older or Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger.
Nausea and vomiting: Go to the topic Nausea and Vomiting, Age 4 and Older or Vomiting, Age 3 and Younger.
Pregnancy: Go to the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.


	Yes

Do you have heartburn pain?


	Yes

Do you have blood in your vomit?


	Yes

Do you have heartburn and trouble swallowing?


	Yes

Has your heartburn pain continued after using prescription or nonprescription medicines for the pain?


	Yes

Do you think that your heartburn may be caused by a medicine?


	Yes

Do you have heartburn and a weight loss that you cannot explain?


	Yes

Do you have severe pain?


	Yes

Do you have moderate pain that does not get better when you take medicines or use home treatment for the heartburn?


	Yes

Have you had moderate pain for longer than 1 week that goes away when you take medicines or use home treatment, but comes back after the treatment wears off?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain for longer than 1 week that does not get better when you take medicines or use home treatment for the heartburn?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain that comes and goes for longer than 2 weeks?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have more than a small streak of bright red blood in your vomit?


	Yes

Do you have material that looks like coffee grounds in your vomit?


	Yes

Have you had a streak of bright red blood in your vomit, and you are not sure whether the blood is coming from your nose or your mouth when you vomit?


	Yes

Have you had streaks of blood in your vomit for 24 hours or longer, and you are sure the blood is coming from your nose or your mouth when you vomit?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Are you unable to swallow food or fluids?


	Yes

Are you unable to eat normally because it is hard for you to swallow?


	Yes

Have you lost more than during the past 3 to 6 months for no known reason?


	Yes

Are you able to eat normally most of the time?


	Yes

Are your swallowing problems slowly getting worse?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severe heartburn after taking medicines to relieve your heartburn?


	Yes

Do you have moderate heartburn after taking medicines to relieve your heartburn?


	Yes

Have medicine and lifestyle changes prescribed by your health professional not relieved your mild to moderate heartburn after 1 week?


	Yes

Have nonprescription medicines and lifestyle changes not relieved your mild to moderate heartburn after 1 week?


	Yes

Have nonprescription medicines and lifestyle changes not relieved your mild heartburn after 2 weeks?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you think that your heartburn may be caused by a medicine?Note: If your answer is "Yes ":Call the health professional who prescribed the medicine before you take the next dose to find out if you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed.If you are taking any medicine that was not prescribed by a health professional, stop taking it. Call your health professional if you feel that you need to continue taking the medicine or need help controlling your symptoms.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Have you lost more than over the past 3 to 6 months for no known reason?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: September 06, 2007

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.