Acid reflux occurs when the contents of your stomach flow back into the tube that connects your throat to your stomach, called the esophagus. When acid reflux is chronic, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We review how GERD is diagnosed and treated below.
Diagnosing GERD
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms in order to diagnose reflux. They may also order tests, such as:
Upper Gastrointestinal Series/Barium Swallow
For this test, you swallow a metallic fluid called barium, which coats the organs so they can be seen on an X-ray. Then, a doctor checks your esophagus, stomach and small intestine to see how they’re functioning.
Upper Endoscopy/Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
This test examines the lining of your esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The doctor advances an endoscope, which is a thin, lighted tube with a camera at the end, into your mouth and throat while you’re sedated. Then they can see the inside of your organs and take a small sample (biopsy) if needed.
Esophageal Manometry
This test determines the strength of the esophagus muscles to see if you have any problems with swallowing or backflow. For this test, a small tube is placed through the nostril into the esophagus. The purpose of the tube is to check how much pressure your esophageal muscles create while at rest.
pH Monitoring
The doctor may also check the pH, or acid level, of your esophagus. A tube with a pH sensor is placed through the nostril into the esophagus. It’s connected to a monitor that records your pH levels for 24-48 hours as you do normal activities. You also need to record what you eat and what symptoms you experience.
Treating GERD
There are many options that can help address GERD symptoms.
Lifestyle Modifications
- Avoid fried foods, fatty foods, peppermint, chocolate, alcohol, citrus and caffeine
- Eat smaller amounts of food at a time
- Wait a few hours between eating and lying down
- Sleep with an extra pillow
- Quit smoking
- Lose weight
- Medications
- Antacids from Stephens Compounding Pharmacy.
- H2-blockers.
- Proton pump inhibitors.
- Prescription pro-motility medications.
To learn more about potential GERD symptoms or to schedule an appointment with a GERD expert, call Palmetto ENT & Allergy today.