digestive disorders
Acid Related and Reflux Related Tests
Catheter Based Monitoring
Doctors pass a thin plastic tube (catheter) through the person's nose down into the esophagus. This tube stays in place for 24 hours. The tube contains one or more pH probes (pH is a measure of acidity). The probe detects acid that comes out of the stomach (called acid reflux) into the esophagus. Wires from the probe transmit findings to a data recorder worn by the person. The person records symptoms, meals, and sleep for 24 hours. Doctors match the probe data with the person's record of symptoms to see whether the symptoms occurred when acid was present. Some of the newer catheters also contain probes that can detect any liquid that comes out of the stomach, regardless of acidity ( Impedance Testing ). These newer catheters combine pH monitoring and impedance testing to measure both acid and non-acid reflux into the esophagus. 