What is acid reflux (gord)?
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the oesophagus because the valve at the top of the stomach is weak or relaxes inappropriately. The result is heartburn, regurgitation and sometimes chest pain, cough or a hoarse voice. Occasional reflux is normal; GORD is diagnosed when it is frequent or troublesome enough to affect daily life or damage the oesophageal lining.
GORD is very common and affects all ages, with excess weight, smoking, alcohol, pregnancy and hiatus hernia all increasing risk. Many people are diagnosed on symptoms alone and treated empirically. A gastroscopy is arranged when symptoms persist despite treatment, or when there are warning signs such as difficulty swallowing, weight loss or anaemia; pH and manometry studies are used before any anti-reflux surgery.
Common symptoms
- Burning discomfort rising behind the breastbone (heartburn)
- Regurgitation of acid or food into the throat or mouth
- An acidic or bitter taste
- Symptoms worse after meals, when bending or lying flat
- Persistent cough, throat clearing or hoarseness
- Difficulty or pain on swallowing (needs prompt investigation)
- Disturbed sleep from night-time reflux
How long will you wait?
On the NHS, persistent reflux typically means a wait of several weeks to months for a routine gastroscopy, and where anti-reflux surgery is appropriate the full pathway commonly extends to four to nine months or more.
Privately, you can typically see a consultant within 3–7 days, with a gastroscopy usually available within 1–2 weeks and surgery, if chosen, within 2–6 weeks.
NHS England median referral-to-treatment wait: 12.4 weeks, with 2.5 million people waiting over 18 weeks (May 2026). Individual waits vary by trust and urgency.
Treatment options
- Lifestyle measures. Weight loss, smaller and earlier evening meals, cutting smoking and alcohol, and raising the bed head all reduce reflux.
- Proton pump inhibitors. Drugs such as omeprazole and lansoprazole suppress acid production and control symptoms for most people.
- Alginates and H2 blockers. Gaviscon-type raft-forming liquids and famotidine provide additional or alternative symptom relief.
- Laparoscopic fundoplication. Keyhole anti-reflux surgery wraps the top of the stomach around the lower oesophagus for people who cannot control symptoms with, or wish to stop, medication.
What does private treatment cost?
As a guide, a private gastroscopy typically costs around £1,300–£2,000, and laparoscopic anti-reflux (fundoplication) surgery typically around £6,500–£9,500 in the UK in 2026.
Does health insurance cover acid reflux (gord)?
New reflux symptoms arising after your policy starts are usually covered through the diagnostic stage, including gastroscopy, and anti-reflux surgery is typically covered where it is clinically indicated. Reflux you already had when you joined will normally be excluded as pre-existing at first. Bear in mind that long-term repeat prescriptions of acid-suppressing medication count as ongoing routine management, which private medical insurance generally does not pay for.
Frequently asked questions
When does heartburn need investigating rather than just treating?
See a doctor promptly if you have difficulty swallowing, food sticking, unintentional weight loss, vomiting, signs of bleeding or anaemia, or if symptoms begin later in life. Otherwise, investigation with gastroscopy is usually advised when significant reflux has persisted for years, or when symptoms fail to settle with a proper course of acid-suppressing treatment, partly to check for complications such as oesophagitis or Barrett's oesophagus.
Are PPIs safe to take long term?
Proton pump inhibitors are among the most studied medicines in the world and are considered safe for long-term use when there is a clear reason. Possible associations with effects such as low magnesium or bone thinning are modest and mostly from observational data. The sensible approach is to use the lowest dose that controls symptoms and review the need periodically with your doctor, not to stop abruptly on your own.
Should I consider anti-reflux surgery?
Surgery is worth discussing if your reflux is proven on testing and you either cannot control symptoms despite optimised medication, suffer troublesome regurgitation, or do not want decades of tablets. Fundoplication controls reflux well in most patients, though side effects such as bloating and difficulty belching can occur. Careful pre-operative testing with pH monitoring and manometry is essential to confirm you are likely to benefit.
Related guides
- Barrett's Oesophagus
- Coeliac Disease
- Crohn's Disease
- Diverticular Disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Ulcerative Colitis