Burning in the Chest
Heartburn commonly causes a burning sensation or discomfort behind the breastbone. It may occur after eating and can sometimes seem to rise towards the throat.
Heartburn and Reflux Treatment Online
If heartburn or reflux is affecting your day, meals or sleep, you can speak with an Australian-registered doctor through TelehealthDr. A phone or video consultation allows the doctor to review your symptoms, possible triggers, medical history and current medicines, then discuss appropriate next steps based on your individual circumstances.
Can Heartburn and Reflux Be Assessed Through Telehealth?
Many non-urgent heartburn and reflux symptoms can initially be assessed through telehealth. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, how often they occur, possible triggers, medicines and medical history. Depending on the assessment, they may discuss lifestyle measures, treatment options, medication where clinically appropriate, follow-up or whether you should have further investigation or an in-person examination.
Heartburn and Reflux Telehealth at a Glance
Speak with an Australian-registered doctor.
Phone or video consultation.
Individual clinical assessment.
Testing may be recommended.
In-person care when needed.
Common Symptoms of Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Heartburn and reflux can feel different from person to person. Common symptoms include:
Acid Regurgitation
You may notice stomach contents or acidic fluid coming back towards the throat or mouth, sometimes leaving a sour or bitter taste.
Symptoms After Eating
Large meals or particular foods and drinks may trigger reflux symptoms in some people.
Symptoms When Lying Down
Heartburn may become more noticeable when lying down, bending over or going to bed soon after eating.
Burping, Bloating or Indigestion
Some people with reflux also experience upper abdominal discomfort, bloating, burping or indigestion.
Throat or Cough Symptoms
Reflux can sometimes occur alongside throat irritation, hoarseness or coughing, particularly at night.
How Heartburn and Reflux Treatment Online Works
Book Your Consultation
Choose an available TelehealthDr phone or video consultation and provide the information requested when booking.
Speak With an Australian-Registered Doctor
Discuss when your symptoms started, how often they occur, possible food or lifestyle triggers, previous episodes, current medicines and relevant medical conditions.
Receive Appropriate Next-Step Advice
Your doctor will explain suitable management options based on the assessment. This may include lifestyle advice, medicine where clinically appropriate, follow-up, further investigation or an in-person appointment. A consultation does not guarantee a particular medicine or prescription.
What Will the Doctor Ask About?
Heartburn symptoms can overlap with other digestive and non-digestive conditions, so your doctor may ask about more than the burning sensation itself.
Be prepared to discuss:
- When your symptoms started
- How often heartburn occurs
- Whether symptoms follow meals
- Acid or food coming back into your throat
- Night-time symptoms
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Foods or drinks that appear to trigger symptoms
- Current prescription and over-the-counter medicines
- Previous reflux treatments
- Other medical conditions
- Smoking or alcohol use
Providing a clear history helps the doctor determine whether telehealth is suitable and whether further assessment may be needed.
What Can Trigger Heartburn and Reflux?
Reflux triggers vary between people. Common factors can include large meals, fatty or spicy foods, coffee, alcohol, fizzy drinks, lying down soon after eating and smoking.
Pregnancy, overweight or obesity, a hiatus hernia and some medicines may also contribute to reflux symptoms. Rather than unnecessarily removing many foods from your diet, it may be more useful to identify patterns between your own symptoms and particular meals or habits.
Pathology Referral
Occasional Heartburn vs Frequent or Recurrent Reflux
Occasional Heartburn
An isolated episode may be associated with a particular meal, drink or lifestyle trigger. The appropriate approach depends on the symptoms and individual circumstances. An isolated episode may be associated with a particular meal, drink or lifestyle trigger. The appropriate approach depends on the symptoms and individual circumstances.
Frequent or Recurrent Reflux
Symptoms that occur repeatedly, are becoming more frequent, interfere with sleep, require frequent use of over-the-counter medicines or return despite treatment may warrant further medical assessment. Your doctor may recommend continued GP management, further investigations or specialist assessment if ongoing symptoms cannot appropriately be managed through telehealth alone.
What an Online Reflux Consultation Can and Cannot Provide
Telehealth May Help With
- Assessment of non-urgent reflux symptoms
- Review of your medical and medication history
- Discussion of possible triggers
- Advice about appropriate management
- Prescribing where clinically appropriate
- Deciding whether further investigation is needed
- Follow-up or referral recommendations
Telehealth Cannot Guarantee
- A particular diagnosis
- A specific medicine or prescription
- That tests will not be needed
- That every reflux problem can be managed remotely
- Emergency or hospital-level assessment
High-visibility safety panel
When Heartburn or Reflux Needs Urgent Medical Attention
Heartburn can cause chest discomfort, but chest pain can also be caused by serious conditions such as a heart attack.
Call Triple Zero (000) if you have severe or worsening chest pain, particularly with shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back or neck. If you are unsure whether chest pain is heartburn or a heart problem, seek urgent medical help.
You should also seek medical assessment for symptoms such as difficulty or pain when swallowing, vomiting blood, repeated vomiting, black or bloody stools, unexplained weight loss, or symptoms that are worsening or changing.
TelehealthDr is not an emergency service.
Call Triple Zero (000) for severe or life-threatening symptoms. TelehealthDr is not an emergency service.
How Much Does a Heartburn & Acid Reflux Consultation Cost?
$49.99
- Consultation with an Australian-registered doctor.
- Phone or video appointment.
- External pharmacy, pathology or other healthcare costs are separate where applicable.
Why Choose TelehealthDr?
AHPRA Doctors
Speak with Australian-registered doctors for your healthcare needs.
From Anywhere
Access consultations from home, work or wherever suits you.
Secure & Private
Your health information is handled securely during consultations.
No Travel & Waiting
Get medical support without travelling to a clinic.
Medically Reviewed
Dr Faisal Khan — MBBS, FRACGP · AHPRA-registered General Practitioner Last reviewed: August 2026FAQs
Can an online doctor help with acid reflux?
Many non-urgent reflux symptoms can be assessed through a phone or video consultation. The doctor will determine whether telehealth is appropriate after reviewing your symptoms and medical history.
Can I get reflux medication online?
A doctor may prescribe medication following an individual clinical assessment if treatment is considered appropriate. A consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
How do I know if I have heartburn or GORD?
Occasional heartburn does not necessarily mean you have GORD. Frequent or recurring reflux symptoms may require assessment to determine whether GORD or another condition could be contributing.
What if my heartburn keeps coming back?
Recurring symptoms should be reviewed, particularly when they are becoming more frequent, changing or not responding to previous management. Further investigation or ongoing GP care may be recommended.
Do I need tests for reflux?
Not everyone requires testing. Depending on your symptoms and response to treatment, a doctor may recommend further investigation or an in-person assessment.
Related Telehealth Services
Online Medical Certificates
Learn more →Specialist Referrals
Learn more →Online Prescription/ e-script
Learn more →General Telehealth Consultations
Learn more →Concerned About Heartburn or Reflux Symptoms?
If you have non-urgent heartburn or reflux symptoms and would like medical advice, book a phone or video consultation with an Australian-registered doctor through TelehealthDr.
Phone or video consultation · Australian-registered doctors · Not an emergency service