Which symptom pattern more strongly suggests gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) rather than occasional heartburn?

• A. Heartburn occurring two or more times per week
• B. Heartburn only after meals
• C. Heartburn relieved by antacids immediately
• D. Heartburn occurring once a month

Answer: (A)

Frequent reflux symptoms are the hallmark that differentiates GERD from occasional heartburn. When heartburn occurs two or more times per week, it shows a pattern of persistent acid exposure that’s unlikely to be just a one-off irritant. This regularity suggests a chronic reflux problem rather than isolated episodes, which is what GERD is about.

Heartburn after meals can happen with or without GERD and isn’t by itself a definitive sign of a chronic condition. Relief with antacids is common for both simple heartburn and GERD, so immediate relief doesn’t distinguish the two. And heartburn that occurs only once a month is too infrequent to indicate GERD.