24 hour pH Study Procedure
The 24 hour-pH study monitors the study of reflux in your esophagus. The test is a very useful diagnostic tool for GERD diagnosis. The pH study determines if the acid reflux can explain the symptoms you are exhibiting. Usually during the 24-hour pH monitoring, esophageal manometry is also carried out to confirm GERD diagnosis.
A catheter is inserted into your esophagus through the nasal cavity as you keep sipping some water. The tip of the catheter is acid-sensitive so it can easily measure the acid reflux. The catheter is attached to a data recording device that you will generally wear over your waist.
You must ensure that you haven’t consumed any food or drinks before the 24 hour-pH study. Antacid medications are also strictly prohibited before the surgery. The gastro doctor will inform you when to stop any reflux medications you are taking. It is important that you continue your normal routine so that the acid reflux measure can be as accurate as possible. After the 24-hour pH monitoring phase ends, the catheter is removed from your esophagus. This common procedure records only acid reflux.
24-hour pH Impedance Monitoring: When the reflux is non-acidic or in the form of gas, this particular pH monitoring technique is used. The catheter simply records the fluid that is refluxing by noting the electrical resistance changes around the catheter. This 24 hour-pH impedance monitoring technique is particularly useful for those who cannot stop antacid medications
Risks and Uses of 24 hour pH Monitoring
Through the 24-hour pH impedance or regular testing, the doctor is not only able to determine whether you have GERD, but also how severe is your reflux. The gastroenterologist will also establish any correlation between the reflux and symptoms. They can also figure out the cause of any uncommon symptoms of acid reflux such as:
- Asthma
- Chest pain
- Constant coughing
If the acid reflux study doesn’t reveal anything unusual, the doctor can also determine the scope of any other esophageal disorders through manometry.
Risks
The process is non-invasive and for the most part completely sage. However, during 24-hour pH monitoring, you might feel uncomfortable with the catheter in your nose and throat which is temporary and doesn’t have any negative impact. Occasionally, you might feel nauseated and vomit. The majority of patients do not experience any complications post 24 hour-pH monitoring. In the rarest cases, the esophagus or throat might be punctured.
MGH pH Impedance Monitoring
Once you undergo the 24-hour pH impedance or non-impedance procedure, the results take up to a week. Our team at MGH will connect with you for a follow-up appointment to discuss your test results and treatment course. We ensure that both impedance and non-impedance pH study options are available at MGH. Dr. Chirag Shah is highly proficient in conducting both types of pH studies: pH impedance monitoring and pH non-impedance monitoring.
