Diagnostic Tests for Acid Reflux

Right on going to briefly outline some of the diagnostic test for acid reflux. Outplaying these in more detail on other pages.

These tests will obviously be ordered by a doctor. After the doctors talk to you and asked you questions about the problems you're having if they suspect acid reflux and they were ordered test to evaluate your esophagus and stomach as well as test to make certain you don't have other problems such as heart disease. 

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 A very common test, especially in the past, is an upper G.I. this is an x-ray exam. Normally, the esophagus and stomach don't show up on an x-ray very well. Doctors can get an idea of what's going on by having a patient swallow barium solution. The barium coats the lining of the G.I. tract as it travels through and makes it show up on x-ray.

If there is a growth such as a polyp or cancer that can be seen. It can also show up ulcerations and irregularity of the lining. In the particular importance with regards to acid reflux, it can show whether or not a hiatal hernia is present.

A hiatal hernia doesn't automatically mean a person has reflux but it is a common cause of this problem.

Another test is an upper endoscopy. In this test the doctor passes a flexible scope through your mouth, esophagus, stomach into the first part of the small intestine and inspecting the lining as he does so. This direct visual inspection can show up to find her abnormalities then can be seen on an upper G.I. and so even though it is a bit more involved it has become the more common test.

Another advantage of an upper G.I. is that if an abnormality is seen a biopsy of it can be taken to make certain that it is not cancer.

Because most reflux is caused by abnormally low pressures and the muscles of the last part of the esophagus another test that is done is measuring the pressures throughout the esophagus as a person swallows.

Another test that sounds fairly unpleasant to me involves directly measuring the acid in the end of the esophagus. To do this, the doctor passes a probe that contains an acid sensing sensor on it through the person's nose and positions it in the lower portion of the esophagus. This probe connects to a recording device and the person keeps in place for 24 hours as they go about their normal activities. The device records the acid level. At the same time the person having the test notes when they have a symptoms and this can be compared to the acid level in the esophagus at that time.

Though the tests is complicated it obviously can be useful.

Here's one test I read about them glad they don't do anymore. Years ago when an upper G.I. was the only test available in a physician suspected symptoms due to reflux that couldn't be proved they might order an stimulus test. In this test they put a tube in the middle of the esophagus and alternated dripping dilute acid or tap water through it. If the person had symptoms when they got the acid and not when they had the water, that was taken as proof of acid reflux.

As I said I'm glad medicine has come a long ways and they don't do that test anymore.

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