chronic indigestion and reflux
You are experiencing persistent indigestion, burning workspace pain, and the regurgitation of stomach acid.
Privacy — please read
Do not enter personal or identifying details — no name, Emirates ID, passport number, phone, email, address or date of birth. Describe symptoms only. Results are anonymous, are not linked to a patient record, and this tool is not a diagnosis. Results pages are excluded from search engines. To discuss anything confidential, WhatsApp or call the clinic instead.
Possible urgent-care warning
Your description mentions symptoms that can be serious. If any of the following apply right now, call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department — do not wait for a GP appointment:
- Severe, sudden chest pain radiating to your arm or jaw (mimicking cardiac ischemia, as per NICE NG196)
- Difficulty or pain swallowing food (dysphagia) suggesting potential obstruction
- Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools indicating acute gastrointestinal bleeding
Possible causes
- 01
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
commonA common digestive condition where stomach acid frequently flows back up into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach, irritating the lining.
- 02
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
commonA highly prevalent bacterial infection in the stomach lining that can trigger chronic inflammation, burning pain, and acid reflux.
Evidence
- BMJ Best Practice: Helicobacter pylori infection, evaluation and management, updated 2023
- 03
Gastritis
possibleInflammation of the protective stomach lining, often aggravated by stress, spicy foods, or regular use of pain relief medications (NSAIDs).
Evidence
- Mayo Clinic: Gastritis symptoms, causes, and diagnosis, 2023
- 04
Hiatus Hernia
possibleAn anatomical change where the top of the stomach pushes up through your diaphragm, making it easier for acid to travel up into the oesophagus.
Evidence
Recommended tests
H. pylori breath test
→Common cause of chronic indigestion, reflux, ulcers.
Why: NICE guidelines recommend a non-invasive 'test-and-treat' strategy for H. pylori as a primary step for persistent, unexplained dyspepsia.
Guideline
- NICE: NICE guideline CG184: Dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in adults
GP consultation
→30–60 minute consultation with a British-trained GP — clinic, home or video.
Why: A thorough consultation with a doctor is key to assessing your history, ruling out alarm features, and reviewing your lifestyle or medication triggers.
Guideline
- NICE CKS: Dyspepsia - management, last revised 2021
Full body blood test
→80+ marker screen — CBC, thyroid, liver, kidney, iron, vitamin D, HbA1c, lipids, hormones.
Why: Enables screening for anaemia (which can flag occult gastrointestinal bleeding) and assesses overall metabolic and liver health to rule out wider systemic causes.
Guideline
- NICE CKS: Iron deficiency anaemia - assessment and management, last revised 2021
When to worry
- Unexplained weight loss coinciding with your indigestion
- Difficulty (dysphagia) or pain when swallowing food
- Persistent, unexplained vomiting, or vomiting blood ('coffee-ground' vomit)
- Black, sticky, or tarry stools (melaena) indicating potential internal bleeding
- A newly appearing lump in your abdomen or unexplained fatigue combined with pale skin
Sources & guidelines
This triage is grounded in mainstream clinical guidance. Every case is reviewed in person by a British-trained GP before any diagnosis or prescription.
- NICE: NICE Quality Standard QS96: Dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in adults
- NICE: NICE Guideline NG12: Suspected cancer: recognition and referral (for dysphagia/weight loss parameters)
Related
Book a British-trained GP to review this properly
This is an AI triage. Every real diagnosis, prescription and test at Aafiyah is signed off by a GP. WhatsApp us — reception already has your symptom summary and the suggested tests, so we can book you in with the right prep in place.
This page is educational triage information only. It is not a medical diagnosis and does not replace a consultation with a licensed doctor. Aafiyah Care Clinic — Unit G09, Churchill Executive Towers, Business Bay, Dubai. DHA-licensed.
Symptom checker questions
What could cause chronic indigestion and reflux?+
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD): A common digestive condition where stomach acid frequently flows back up into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach, irritating the lining. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection: A highly prevalent bacterial infection in the stomach lining that can trigger chronic inflammation, burning pain, and acid reflux. Gastritis: Inflammation of the protective stomach lining, often aggravated by stress, spicy foods, or regular use of pain relief medications (NSAIDs). Hiatus Hernia: An anatomical change where the top of the stomach pushes up through your diaphragm, making it easier for acid to travel up into the oesophagus.
What tests would help for chronic indigestion and reflux?+
H. pylori breath test — NICE guidelines recommend a non-invasive 'test-and-treat' strategy for H. pylori as a primary step for persistent, unexplained dyspepsia. GP consultation — A thorough consultation with a doctor is key to assessing your history, ruling out alarm features, and reviewing your lifestyle or medication triggers. Full body blood test — Enables screening for anaemia (which can flag occult gastrointestinal bleeding) and assesses overall metabolic and liver health to rule out wider systemic causes.
When should I worry about chronic indigestion and reflux?+
Unexplained weight loss coinciding with your indigestion Difficulty (dysphagia) or pain when swallowing food Persistent, unexplained vomiting, or vomiting blood ('coffee-ground' vomit) Black, sticky, or tarry stools (melaena) indicating potential internal bleeding A newly appearing lump in your abdomen or unexplained fatigue combined with pale skin
Is this AI symptom checker a diagnosis?+
No. It's a triage tool that suggests possible causes and the tests that would help narrow them down. Every real diagnosis and prescription at Aafiyah is made by a British-trained GP after a proper consultation.
Is it safe to describe my symptoms here?+
Yes. Your symptom text is used to fetch triage information and stored anonymously as a shareable page. No personal or medical details (name, ID, contact) are attached.
What if I might be having an emergency?+
If you describe red-flag symptoms — chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, anaphylaxis or suicidal thoughts — the result page shows an urgent-care banner. Call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
How accurate is the AI?+
It's trained on public clinical patterns and is useful for common symptom clusters. It is not perfect and it does not replace a doctor — treat it as a well-read friend, not a physician.
Can I book a GP after seeing my result?+
Yes — every result page has a WhatsApp button pre-filled with your symptom summary and the suggested tests, so our reception can book you in with the right prep in place.
Start where you're comfortable.
Read first, talk to a doctor, or book in — whichever stage you're at, there's a no-pressure way in.
Free Primary Care Guide
What proper primary care should look like — a short, honest PDF written by our British-trained team. Read it before you decide on a clinic.
Free 15-Minute Doctor Call
Not sure if we're the right fit? Book a free discovery call with one of our GPs. No commitment, no sales — just a clinician answering your questions.
20% Off Your First GP Consultation
First-time patients save 20% on their first GP consultation with one of our British-trained doctors. GP consultations only — blood tests, IV drips, physio, home-visit fees and other services are excluded. Mention this offer when you enquire.