What Is Acid Reflux?
7. How Is Acid Reflux Disease Diagnosed?
Diagnosis for gastrointestinal reflux disease involves several methods, and you may not need every diagnostic procedure to confirm your diagnosis. Your physician may prescribe medication that is stronger than and works differently from over-the-counter medication to see if you respond. If your reflux is well-controlled with medication, there may be no need for further diagnosis unless symptoms return or progress.
Testing for acid reflux disease includes a barium swallow, during which the patient swallows a barium solution and then undergoes an X-ray to look for areas of concern. An upper endoscopy is another common diagnostic tool, during which a thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth and down the esophagus to check for problems. During an endoscopy, a biopsy of tissue can be taken for further testing. To check for pH concerns, a physician may also use a device that can be inserted and left for several days to measure pH changes within the esophagus.
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