Why is this procedure done?
A gastric pH probe measures the pH level of the esophagus. Your doctor may order this test if you are having signs of reflux like: ‚
- Burning pain in your chest
- Burping, belching, or throwing up
- Heartburn
Your stomach contents are more acidic than the normal pH of your esophagus or food pipe. This test will help your doctor: ‚
- Learn if your stomach contents are backing up into your food pipe.
- See how often this problem is happening.
- Find what may be causing the problem.
- Measure the pressure in your food pipe.
- Test to see how well the drugs are working for your problem.
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What will the results be?
Your doctor will be able to understand how severe your reflux is by looking at the results of this test. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription, over the counter, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor if you have any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you. You may need to stop some drugs for heartburn for a few days before this test. Talk to your doctor about the drugs you are taking.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are: Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- If you should stop taking your anti-reflux drugs before your procedure, and when you should stop taking them.
What happens during the procedure?
There are many kinds of pH probes used to measure your gastric pH. ‚
- Wired probe:
- You are awake when this kind of probe is placed. A numbing drug is put in your nose. The doctor may also use a numbing drug to wet the end of the gastric pH probe.
- The probe is a thin, flexible tube that is passed through your nose into your esophagus. It is then taped in place.
- The doctor may take an x-ray to make sure the tube is in the right place.
- The probe has special sensors in one or more places to check the pH. The probe may be joined to a small monitor or may send signals to a portable computer.
- Wireless probe:
- You may have a drug to make you sleepy before the doctor places this kind of probe. The wireless probe is about the size of a pencil eraser. Your doctor places it on the lining of your esophagus with an endoscope.
- Your doctor will put the scope in your mouth and down your food pipe, or esophagus. It is a long, thin tube with lights and a small camera. It sends images to a screen in the operating room where the camera is being used. Your doctor will ask you to swallow to help the scope pass through your throat more comfortably.
- When the scope is in the right place, a small pH probe is attached to your esophagus. It sends information to a computer.
- You cannot have a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) during the test or for 30 days afterwards.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will most often be able to go home while the pH probe is in place.
- The doctors will ask you to keep a record while the pH probe is in place. Write down what you are eating, how you are feeling, and what you are doing. You may also be asked to push buttons on the recorder during eating events. This will help your doctor understand what makes your reflux better or worse.
- At the end of the test time, the probe is taken out. This is most often done after 12 or 24 hours with a wired probe. The monitoring time for a wireless probe is 48 hours. The wireless probe detaches on its own and is passed through your stool after a few days.
What follow-up care is needed?
- The doctors will study the results of your test and your activity record.
- The results will help your doctor understand what kind of problem you have with reflux. Together you can make a plan for further care.
What problems could happen?
- Probe could come out or be in the wrong place
- You may gag when the probe is put in
- Irritation in the nose
- Wireless probe may not detach or may become stuck in your bowels and need to be taken out with endoscopy
Where can I learn more?
Living With Reflux ‚
http://www.livingwithreflux.org/ambulatory_24-hour.html ‚
North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition ‚
http://www.gikids.org/files/documents/digestive%20topics/english/Ph%20Probe%20-%20English.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚