Final answer:
Patients with GERD should be referred for further evaluation if experiencing severe, frequent or chronic symptoms, or signs of complications despite lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. Symptoms indicative of complications may warrant diagnostic procedures like endoscopy for proper management.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) should consider being referred for further evaluation if they experience frequent or chronic indigestion, especially if the discomfort is severe, if lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications do not lead to improvement, or if there are signs of complications. These signs can include difficulty swallowing, unintentional weight loss, persistent vomiting, vomiting blood, or black, tarry stools which could indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, or symptoms suggesting esophageal stricture. Complications, if left untreated, can result in more serious conditions such as peptic ulcers or damage to the esophagus. Hence, timely consultation with a healthcare provider is necessary for proper diagnosis and management, which may include lifestyle changes, medical therapy, or diagnostic tests like endoscopy.
Lifestyle changes that may help manage GERD include avoiding trigger foods such as chocolate, fatty foods, peppermint, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, eating smaller meals, not eating before bedtime, quitting smoking, and weight loss if overweight.