GORD (Acid Reflux) Specialist in Oxford, Banbury & Aylesbury

Consultant-Led Diagnosis & Personalised Reflux Management

As an experienced acid reflux specialist in Oxford, for both diagnosis and management, Dr Udit Mittal offers consultant-led care for heartburn and GORD across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), often referred to as acid reflux or GERD, is a common long-term condition in which stomach contents flow back into the oesophagus (gullet), causing troublesome symptoms and, in some cases, complications.
Reflux occurs when the lower oesophageal sphincter (the valve between the stomach and oesophagus) relaxes too frequently or does not close effectively.
For patients seeking a reflux specialist in Oxford, Banbury or Aylesbury, careful assessment helps distinguish between acid-driven reflux, reflux hypersensitivity and other overlapping conditions.

Common Symptoms of GORD

Typical Symptoms

• • Heartburn (burning sensation behind the breastbone)

• • Regurgitation (acid or food coming back into the throat)

• • Chest discomfort (after cardiac causes have been excluded)

Atypical or Extra-Oesophageal Symptoms

• • Chronic cough

• • Hoarseness

• • Throat irritation

• • Globus sensation (feeling of a lump in the throat)

Symptoms occurring two or more times per week, or interfering with sleep or daily function, warrant structured review.

Why Does Acid Reflux Occur?

Reflux develops when normal protective mechanisms are overwhelmed. Contributing factors include:

• • Excess weight

• • Large or late evening meals

• • Coffee, alcohol, chocolate, spicy or fatty foods

• • Smoking

• • Pregnancy

• • Certain medications

Occasional reflux is common. Persistent or disruptive symptoms suggest GORD and merit specialist assessment.

What Is Reflux Hypersensitivity?

Not all reflux symptoms are caused by excess acid.
Reflux hypersensitivity is recognised when:

• • The amount of reflux is normal or only mildly increased

• • The oesophagus is unusually sensitive to reflux events

Even weakly acidic reflux episodes can trigger significant symptoms due to heightened nerve sensitivity.

Key Features

• • Endoscopy is often normal

• • Acid-suppressing medication may provide partial benefit

• • Symptoms are genuine and distressing

• • It falls within the spectrum of disorders of gut–brain interaction

Understanding this distinction is essential because management differs from classical acid-driven GORD.

How Is GORD Diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with a detailed clinical history. In many cases, a structured trial of acid-suppressing therapy is appropriate.
Further investigation may be recommended if symptoms persist or alarm features are present.

Investigations May Include:

• • Upper endoscopy (gastroscopy) – to assess for oesophagitis, Barrett’s oesophagus or structural disease

• • Ambulatory reflux monitoring (pH or pH-impedance testing) – to measure acid and non-acid reflux and correlate symptoms

• • Oesophageal manometry – to assess muscle coordination and sphincter function

Advanced testing distinguishes between acid-driven GORD, non-acid reflux, reflux hypersensitivity and functional heartburn.

Managing GORD in Oxfordshire

Lifestyle Measures

• • Smaller, earlier evening meals

• • Avoiding individual trigger foods

• • Weight reduction where appropriate

• • Smoking cessation

• • Elevating the head of the bed for night-time symptoms

Medical Therapy

Short-Term Relief

• • Alginates
  • Antacids

Acid Suppression

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

PPIs remain the most effective treatment for acid-driven GORD and are reviewed periodically to ensure appropriate long-term use.

Treatment of Reflux Hypersensitivity

Where oesophageal sensitivity is the primary driver, management may include:

• • Optimisation or rational reduction of acid-suppressing therapy

• • Medications that modulate oesophageal nerve sensitivity

• • Attention to stress, sleep and trigger factors

• • Education and reassurance

Surgery is generally not recommended unless objective pathological reflux is clearly demonstrated.

Potential Complications of Untreated GORD

• • Oesophagitis

• • Oesophageal strictures

• • Barrett’s oesophagus – a precancerous condition requiring surveillance and monitoring

• • Increased cancer risk in a small minority

Appropriate assessment and surveillance reduce these risks.

When Should You Seek Specialist Advice?

• • Persistent reflux despite treatment

• • Night-time regurgitation

• • Difficulty swallowing

• • Unintentional weight loss

• • Ongoing symptoms despite normal investigations

• • Suspected reflux hypersensitivity

Book a Reflux Consultation

If you are experiencing persistent acid reflux, heartburn, regurgitation or suspected reflux hypersensitivity, a specialist consultation can clarify the diagnosis and guide personalised treatment.
Private appointments are available in:

• • Oxford

• • Banbury

• • Aylesbury

Book your consultationLearn about gastroscopy

Related Digestive Conditions

• • Difficulty in Swallowing (Dysphagia)

 

• • Abdominal Pain

 

• • Bloating

 

• • Weight Loss: Digestive Causes

 

• • Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Screening

 

• • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

 

• Constipation

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Individual assessment is essential before treatment decisions are made.