GERD is often diagnosed simply by finding no improvement in heartburn symptoms in response to lifestyle changes and acid reflux medication. Gastroenterologists may also arrange the following investigations:
Trading blocs. A regional trading bloc is a group of countries within a geographical region that protect themselves from imports from non-members. Trading blocs are a form of economic integration, and increasingly shape the pattern of world trade. There are several types of trading bloc:
1. an arrangement of objects in a line or in tiers: a bank of lights. 2. a bench for rowers in a galley. 3. the group of rowers occupying one bench or rowing one oar. 4. a number of similar devices connected to act together: a bank of transformers.