Understanding GERD and Gastritis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
If you’re experiencing heartburn, reflux, nausea, bloating, or upper abdominal pain — you may be dealing with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or gastritis.
These conditions are common, and can often be managed or reversed with a combination of targeted treatment and lifestyle changes.
How We Diagnose It
We start by reviewing your symptoms, medical history, medications, and dietary patterns. If needed, we may:
Order labs to check for anemia, inflammation, or H. pylori
Recommend an upper GI endoscopy (through a specialist)
Suggest a short trial of acid-reducing medication
Look at patterns over time to differentiate GERD vs. gastritis vs. functional dyspepsia
Symptoms to Watch For
It's important to pay attention to your symptoms and report them to your healthcare provider. Some common symptoms of GERD and gastritis include:
Burning in the chest or throat
Bitter taste in the mouth
Stomach pain or tenderness (especially upper abdomen)
Bloating, nausea, or early fullness
Worsening with lying down, stress, or certain foods
Common Medications That Can Worsen Symptoms
Certain medications can irritate the stomach lining or loosen the valve at the top of your stomach, making GERD and gastritis symptoms worse. These may include:
NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin
Steroids like prednisone
Iron supplements
Antibiotics like doxycycline or clindamycin
Bisphosphonates (for bone health) like alendronate (Fosamax)
Nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and certain sleep medications
Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and spicy foods may also aggravate symptoms
If you are taking any of these medications and experiencing symptoms, it's important to discuss with your healthcare provider to see if there are alternative options or adjustments that can be made.
Prevention and Lifestyle Changes
Making certain lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in managing GERD and gastritis symptoms. These may include:
Avoid food for 3+ hours before lying down or bedtime
Sit or stand upright for at least 30–60 minutes after eating or taking medications
Avoid overeating or eating too fast
Identify trigger foods (common ones: tomato, citrus, chocolate, caffeine, fried or spicy foods)
Elevate the head of your bed slightly if nighttime symptoms are severe
Reduce alcohol and tobacco use
Work on stress management, sleep quality, and meal timing
Treatment Options
If you are diagnosed with GERD or gastritis, your healthcare provider may recommend certain treatments to help manage your symptoms. These may include:
Short-term acid-reducing medications (like famotidine or omeprazole)
H. pylori testing and treatment (if gastritis is suspected)
Mucosal protectants like sucralfate
Reviewing and adjusting any meds that may be worsening your symptoms
A prevention-focused plan to support healing and long-term relief
If you’ve been self-managing with antacids or avoiding foods out of fear, it's important to seek guidance from your healthcare provider to get a clearer picture of what’s going on — and what your body actually needs.
Don't sit on symptoms. Check-in and get started on a gut health plan. We're here to help you get clarity and relief.