Summary: Gastrointestinal functional disorders constitute a heterogeneous group of diseases with similar, mild symptoms. Due to their prevalence, in the management of patients with heartburn it is proposed to try an empirical treatment before diagnostic procedures. This involves the use of topically protective esophageal agents, antacids, or over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors (PPI). If the therapeutic effect is achieved, it is the only necessary procedure. Special attention has recently been paid to the protection of the esophagus, which is directly related to the presumed etiology of symptoms – increased permeability of the epithelium and damage of the mucosal barrier's integrity. PPI, which are the mainstay of gastrointestinal reflux disease treatment due to the prolonged start of action, can't be used ad hoc. Only in the event of no improvement after over-the-counter drugs, including a double dose of PPI, is it recommended to perform examinations to establish the diagnosis. It is based on pH-impedance monitoring that assesses total acid exposure and the correlation between symptoms and reflux episodes. It is estimated that about half of patients with heartburn have reflux disease (erosive and non-erosive). The rest have either reflux hypersensitivity (acid and non-acid) (approx. 60%) or functional heartburn (approx. 40%).