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Acid reflux (GORD)

Heartburn, regurgitation, indigestion. Often improved with treatment and lifestyle.

Speak to a GP about acid reflux (gord)From £79
A doctor consulting about Acid reflux (GORD)

In short

Acid reflux affects around 1 in 5 UK adults regularly. Most cases respond well to a combination of lifestyle changes and prescription medication. Some symptoms warrant urgent investigation.

Overview

What is acid reflux (gord)?

Acid reflux happens when stomach acid travels back up into the oesophagus (food pipe). When this is frequent or severe, it's called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The lower oesophageal sphincter, the muscle that should keep stomach contents down, doesn't close properly. Common contributors are weight, diet, alcohol, smoking, and sometimes a hiatus hernia.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

  • Heartburn (a burning chest pain after eating or when lying down)
  • Regurgitation of acid or food into the mouth
  • Bitter or sour taste in the mouth
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Chronic cough, especially at night
  • Hoarse voice
  • Bloating, burping

When to act

When to see a doctor

Book a GP if symptoms occur more than twice a week, aren't relieved by over-the-counter antacids, are waking you at night, or lifestyle changes haven't helped after 2-4 weeks.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent help if

  • Difficulty or pain swallowing (could be a stricture or, rarely, cancer, refer urgently)
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like vomit (call 999)
  • Black, tarry stools (call 999, suggests bleeding)
  • Chest pain that radiates to the arm or jaw, or comes with sweating (call 999 to rule out heart attack)
  • New onset of reflux symptoms in anyone over 55 (2-week-wait referral for endoscopy)

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice.

Treatment

How a private GP can help

  • Symptom-based assessment
  • Lifestyle and dietary advice (alcohol, smoking, weight, late meals, raising the head of the bed)
  • Prescription of proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole) or H2 blockers (famotidine)
  • Review after 4-8 weeks to assess response
  • 2-week-wait referral for endoscopy if red-flag symptoms are present
  • Referral to gastroenterology for treatment-resistant cases

What we don't do

  • Endoscopy or other diagnostics, we refer to NHS for these
  • Specialist gastroenterology assessment

Pricing

What it costs

An online consultation about acid reflux (gord) starts at £79 for a 20-minute video appointment. In-pharmacy consultations are £129 and home visits are £189. Your consultation includes one private prescription if appropriate, and a sick note for work if needed. You pay the pharmacy separately for any medication.

See full pricing breakdown

FAQ

Common questions about acid reflux (gord)

How long should I take a PPI for?
Usually 4-8 weeks initially, then review. Some people benefit from longer-term use; others can step down to as-needed.
Can I just buy omeprazole from the pharmacy?
Yes, for short courses. But persistent symptoms (more than 2-4 weeks of treatment needed) should be assessed by a GP.
Does diet really matter?
Yes. Common triggers include alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, fatty foods, spicy foods, citrus, tomatoes, and late evening meals. Triggers vary between people.
When do I need an endoscopy?
Endoscopy is needed for red-flag symptoms, persistent symptoms despite treatment, or new symptoms over the age of 55.
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Ready to talk to a GP about acid reflux (gord)?

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