That burning feeling — more common than you think
You’ve probably felt it: a burning sensation rising from your stomach into your chest, a sour taste in the back of your throat, or a persistent feeling that something isn’t quite right after you eat. For many people, this happens occasionally — after a rich meal, a glass of wine, or a late night. For others, it happens every day.
This is GORD — gastro-oesophageal reflux disease — and it affects around one in five adults in the UK. It happens when the valve at the bottom of your oesophagus (the tube connecting your mouth and stomach) doesn’t close properly, allowing stomach acid to wash back upwards. Over time, this repeated exposure to acid can cause damage — which is why it’s worth taking seriously, not just putting up with it.
“You don’t have to just live with heartburn. For most people, GORD is very manageable – but the first step is understanding what you’re dealing with.”
Do you recognise these symptoms?
GORD can show up in more ways than just heartburn. The typical symptoms most people will recognise include:
- Persistent heartburn or a burning sensation in the chest
- Acid or food coming back up into your throat or mouth
- Symptoms worse after meals, lying down, or bending over
- Waking at night with discomfort or a sour taste
- Bloating or feeling uncomfortably full
- Temporary relief from antacids or indigestion tablets
Some people experience less obvious symptoms too — a chronic cough that won’t go away, a hoarse voice, a feeling of something stuck in the throat, or recurring chest discomfort that isn’t cardiac in origin. These are known as atypical or extraoesophageal symptoms, and they’re more common than many people realise. If you’ve been treated for a persistent cough or throat problem without improvement, reflux may be the underlying cause.
When symptoms become warning signs?
Most heartburn is just that — heartburn. But there are certain symptoms that should never be ignored or put down to a “bad stomach”. These are called alarm features, and they need prompt medical attention.
When symptoms become warning signs?
- Difficulty or pain swallowing (food getting stuck or feeling like it won’t go down)
- Unexplained weight loss, particularly if you are 55 or over
- Vomiting blood, or noticing dark, tar-like stools
- Iron deficiency anaemia that has no other explanation
- Persistent vomiting lasting more than two weeks
- A lump or swelling you can feel in your upper abdomen
- Heartburn or indigestion symptoms that are new and you are over 55
If you have any of these symptoms, please seek urgent medical advice. At NexEndo, we can arrange an urgent gastroscopy within two weeks — often faster. Please do not wait.
It’s important to be clear: the vast majority of people with these symptoms will not have anything sinister, but they do need investigation to be sure. Getting checked is not about expecting the worst — it’s about ruling things out quickly and getting appropriate treatment without unnecessary delay.
What happens when you come to NexEndo
We follow a structured, evidence-based pathway — but what that actually means for you as a patient is straightforward: you’re in the right hands, and we’ll work out together what your symptoms mean and what to do about them.
Step 1 – Getting in touch — no GP letter needed
You can contact us directly — through our website, by phone, or by self-referring. You don’t need a referral letter from your GP, though we’re happy to receive one if you have it. Once you get in touch, we’ll aim to contact you the same day or next day.
Step 2 – Assessment — understanding your symptoms
Every patient is assessed individually. We’ll listen carefully to what you’ve been experiencing, how long it’s been going on, and how much it’s affecting your daily life. We use a validated symptom scoring system to capture this properly at the start, so we can track your progress accurately over time.
Step 3 – Investigation — when and if you need it
Not everyone needs an endoscopy straight away. If your symptoms are typical of GORD without any warning signs, we can often start treatment immediately. Endoscopy is recommended when alarm symptoms are present, when symptoms haven’t improved after treatment, or when we need to confirm the diagnosis before moving forward. We’ll always explain clearly why an investigation is — or isn’t — being recommended.
Step 4 – Treatment — starting with the simplest steps
We always start with the least invasive options first, building up only if needed. That means lifestyle changes, dietary advice, and medications — personalised to you. Where appropriate, we’ll also review any other medications you take that might be contributing to your symptoms.
Step 5 – Follow-up — we stay with you
From the moment you start treatment, we monitor how you’re getting on. You’ll report your symptoms regularly through a simple digital tool, and our AI-supported system flags any concerns for immediate clinical review. If things aren’t improving, or something changes, we’ll adjust the plan.
What is a gastroscopy — and what should I expect?
A gastroscopy (sometimes called an OGD — oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy) is the key diagnostic investigation for upper GI symptoms. It involves passing a thin, flexible camera through your mouth, down your oesophagus, and into your stomach and the first part of your small intestine. It sounds daunting — but in practice it is well tolerated, quick, and gives the clinician a direct view of what’s happening.
What to expect at NexEndo
The procedure typically takes 10–15 minutes. You’ll be offered a local throat spray to numb the area, and sedation is available if you’d prefer to be relaxed and drowsy. At NexEndo, our specialist nursing team are focused entirely on endoscopy — their experience and care make a real difference to how comfortable patients feel. Your full written report is returned to you and your GP within 48 hours.
We also offer transnasal endoscopy (TNE) — a newer technique where a very fine camera passes through the nose rather than the mouth. It requires no sedation at all, the procedure is usually complete in around 10 minutes, and you can drive home and return to normal activities immediately. Many patients find it far less intimidating than a traditional gastroscopy, and it is equally effective for examining the oesophagus and stomach.
How GORD is treated?
The good news: GORD is very treatable. Most people improve significantly with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Treatment is always tailored to the individual — there is no single protocol that works for everyone.
Lifestyle changes — always the first step
Modest weight loss, adjusting meal timing, reducing fatty and spicy foods, limiting alcohol and caffeine, elevating the head of your bed, and stopping smoking — individually or together, these can make a significant difference. We’ll give you specific, practical guidance at your first consultation.
Checking your other medications
Some common medications — including certain painkillers, blood pressure tablets, and bone treatments — can worsen reflux. We’ll review what you’re taking and, where appropriate, liaise with your GP about alternatives.
Short-term relief
Antacids and alginate preparations (such as Gaviscon) can help with immediate symptoms while longer-term treatment takes effect. We’ll advise on the best options and coordinate with your local pharmacy.
Prescribed medication
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the mainstay of GORD treatment and are highly effective for most people. We’ll prescribe the appropriate dose, review your response, and step treatment up or down as your symptoms change. Long-term prescriptions are returned to your named community pharmacy.
When surgery is the answer
A small proportion of people with GORD — those with confirmed diagnosis who haven’t responded to optimal medical treatment — may benefit from surgery. Options include laparoscopic fundoplication and newer procedures such as LINX (magnetic sphincter augmentation). We’ll refer you to specialist surgical colleagues and ensure the full pre-operative workup is in place.
Staying on top of things — your ongoing care
One of the things that sets NexEndo apart is that we don’t just treat you and say goodbye. From the moment you start treatment, you’re enrolled in structured follow-up.
You report
Regular digital symptom check-ins, tracked against your baseline scores, so we can see exactly how you’re progressing.
AI Monitors
Our AI system reviews your reported data in real time, automatically flagging any signs of deterioration or non-response for clinical attention.
We Act
If something needs addressing, we contact you promptly. Treatment plans are adjusted, further investigations arranged, and referrals made as needed.
If your symptoms haven’t improved after 4–8 weeks of treatment, or if anything changes, we’ll escalate to investigation or specialist referral without delay. You’re never left wondering whether things are heading in the right direction.
You don’t have to wait — or just put up with it
Too many people spend years managing heartburn with over-the-counter tablets, assuming it’s just part of life. Sometimes it is — and a simple lifestyle change makes all the difference. But for many people, proper assessment and treatment can genuinely change how they feel day to day.
NexEndo exists because we believe everyone in Aberdeen and the North East should be able to get the answers they need, quickly, from a team that knows what it’s doing. You don’t need to wait months on an NHS list. You don’t need a GP letter. You can simply get in touch.
Ready to take the next step?
Appointments are typically available within 5–10 working days. Self-pay gastroscopy from £1,000, colonoscopy from £2,000 — all-inclusive, with no hidden charges. BUPA recognised. Contact us at nexendo-healthcare.com or call our booking team directly.