If antacids are needed for more than 3 weeks, a doctor should be consulted. For chronic reflux and heartburn, the doctor may prescribe medications to reduce acid in the stomach. These medicines include H2 blockers, which inhibit acid secretion in the stomach. These drugs include cisapride, bethanechol, and metoclopramide. People with severe, chronic esophageal reflux or with symptoms not relieved by the treatment described above may need more complete diagnostic evaluation.
Doctors use a variety of tests and procedures to examine a patient with chronic heartburn.
An upper GI series may be performed during the early phase of testing. While an upper GI series provides limited information about possible reflux, it is used to rule out other diagnoses, such as peptic ulcers. This test attempts to confirm that the symptoms result from acid in the esophagus. For patients in whom diagnosis is difficult, doctors may measure the acid levels inside the esophagus through pH testing. Testing pH monitors the acidity level of the esophagus and symptoms during meals, activity, and sleep.