Final answer:
The three major alarm symptoms of GERD are difficulty swallowing, unintended weight loss, and bleeding. Lifestyle changes and medical treatment can help manage GERD. It's important to seek medical advice for frequent or chronic heartburn.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three major alarm symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), unintended weight loss, and bleeding (which may present as vomiting blood or melena - black, tarry stools). GERD can often be managed with lifestyle modifications such as avoiding foods that trigger symptoms like chocolate, fatty foods, peppermint, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, reducing portion sizes, eating the last meal at least a couple of hours before bedtime, quitting smoking, and losing weight if overweight. When GERD leads to frequent symptoms or complications, medical treatment may be necessary. Occasional heartburn doesn't always signal GERD, but if frequent or chronic, it's essential to seek medical advice, as occasionally, indigestion may indicate more serious conditions like peptic ulcers or, rarely, cancer.