GERD / Acid Reflux Doctor Appointment Prep
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common but often undertreated. Many people self-manage with antacids or avoid food, unaware of safe and effective treatments. Your GP needs to know the frequency and severity of symptoms, triggers, and impact on quality of life to help appropriately.
Reviewed by the Brief My Doctor editorial team · Last updated June 2026
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What to tell your doctor
- 1Frequency: how many days per week you have symptoms
- 2Triggers: foods (spicy, fatty, acidic, chocolate, caffeine), lying down, bending, stress
- 3Symptoms: heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, cough
- 4Whether symptoms wake you at night
- 5Impact on diet, sleep, and daily life
- 6What provides relief: antacids, positioning, avoiding triggers
- 7Any complications: difficulty swallowing, weight loss, persistent cough, anaemia
- 8Previous treatments and response
Questions to ask your doctor
- Q1.Do I need endoscopy or other investigation?
- Q2.Should I try a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)?
- Q3.Is long-term PPI use safe?
- Q4.Are there lifestyle changes that would help?
- Q5.Should I see a gastroenterologist?
- Q6.Can I reduce or stop medication once symptoms improve?
- Q7.Are there foods I should definitely avoid?
- Q8.Could GERD lead to more serious complications?
Don't forget to bring
- ✓Trigger foods and beverages you have identified
- ✓Frequency and severity of symptoms
- ✓What currently helps (medications, positioning, diet changes)
- ✓Impact on sleep and quality of life
- ✓Any previous medication trials and responses
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