The purpose of the ESOPHAGEAL MANOMETRY and pH Monitoring is to study the muscle activity of the esophagus and the muscular sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach.
The purpose of the 48-HOUR pH STUDY is to evaluate the amount of acid that refluxes into your esophagus from the stomach.
2. WHY HAS YOUR DOCTOR ORDERED THE TEST?
There are many reasons why your doctor may have ordered the test.
The reason in your particular case may be:
1. To determine the amount of acid-reflux over 48 hours
2. Because you have one or more symptoms of acid-reflux
3. Because you are considered for acid-reflux surgery
4. Because you have chest pain that is not related to your heart according to your referring physician
5. Because you have asthma, cough, hoarseness of voice
6. Because you have other ENT,ALLERGY, or LUNG symptoms
7. To measure various pressures and the activity of the esophagus which determines the functioning of the esophagus
3. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE YOU COME FOR THE TEST?
1. Fast overnight
2. Stop the following medications for the time specified:
3. If your test is recommended by your gastroenterologist, you need to check with him/her as to which medications need to be stopped before the test is done
4. Report for the test at the scheduled facility on time. The scheduling of your test (date/time) will be done through our office and NOT through your doctor’s office.
4. If you have heartburn or indigestion while you stop taking the above medications, you may take antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, Gaviscon, Rolaids, or Tums.
5. You will not receive any sedation during the test and you should be able to drive back home by yourself.
6. WHAT IS INVOLVED DURING THE TEST?
A) For ESOPHAGEAL MANOMETRY, a small catheter slightly smaller than the size of a standard pencil will be inserted through your nose into your esophagus. The test takes about 30-45 minutes.
B) For 48-HOUR pH STUDY, a recently available State of the Art capsule called BRAVO will be inserted into your esophagus and attached to the esophagus. It takes approximately 15 minutes to do so. A catheter containing the BRAVO capsule is inserted through your mouth into your esophagus to attach the capsule. Once the capsule is attached to the esophagus, the catheter is removed. There will be no catheter sticking out of your nose. This is the biggest advantage of the BRAVO technology that is not available in many other facilities in San Antonio. The capsule will sense the acid into your esophagus and send the information to a recording machine (about the size of a SONY walkman). You will go home wearing this recorder for next 48 hours. You will be asked to do your regular daily activities and eat regular meals that you would normally eat. You may go to work, shopping, gym, movies, and continue to perform your all your daily activities. The capsule in your esophagus will not cause any pain or difficulty with swallowing food. At the end of 48 hours, you will return to the same facility where the recording box will be disconnected and you can go home soon thereafter. The capsule will eventually pass through your gastrointestinal tract after a few days.
7. Dr. Kadakia will send the results of the tests to your doctor who will then discuss these results with you at your next appointment.
8. If you have any questions, please call our office @ 481-7477 during regular office hours.
