Questions to Ask

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Review the following 'Questions to Ask' about your symptoms so you're prepared to discuss this condition with your health care provider.

1. Are there any medications I am taking that might make my symptoms worse?

2. Do I need any diagnostic tests, such as an upper GI barium swallow, endoscopy or esophageal motility testing?

3. Do you specialize in treating conditions of the gastrointestinal tract?

4. Could my symptoms possibly be warning signs of a heart attack or angina? How do I tell the difference?

5. Could my symptoms be related to another condition?

6. Are there any foods I should avoid?

7. Are there any activities I should avoid?

8. What are signs that might indicate that I should be reevaluated?

9. How can you tell if I have signs of something more serious, such as Barrett's esophagus or cancer of the esophagus?

If the decision is to put you on medication:

10. Which is the best medication for my symptoms?

11. When do I take the medication?

12. What are the side effects of this medication?

13. If I'm pregnant, what medications are safe to take for my symptoms?

14. How long will I have to be on medication?

15. Many of the medications for GERD are newer and can be costly. If cost is a factor, discuss this with your health care provider for alternatives or possible discounts available from pharmacies and drug companies.