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:
syndicate. 1  a group or council of syndics. 2  an association of individuals or corporations formed to carry out some large-scale project requiring much capital. any group organized to further some undertaking. 3  an organization that sells special articles or features for publication by many newspapers or periodicals.