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Esophageal pH monitoring is
a procedure for measuring the
regurgitation or backwash(reflux)
of acid from the stomach into
the esophagus. It is acid reflux
that is responsible for the discomfort
of heartburn. At Mid Coast Hospital’s Digestive
Health Center, we use the Bravo™
pH probe. This is a miniaturized
wireless pH capsule that attaches
to the interior wall of the
esophagus. From its position
in the esophagus
the sensor records each reflux
of acid into the esophagus
on a pager-size receiver attached
to your belt.
Esophageal pH monitoring is
used to diagnose acid reflux
(GERD),
the regurgitation of acidic,
partially digested food contents
from the stomach into the
esophagus, and to determine the
effectiveness
of medications that are given
to prevent acid reflux.
You should not have anything
to eat or drink for 8
hours before the test. Your doctor
will inform
you about what medications
you may or may not take
prior to
the test.
With the patient sitting
in a chair, the capsule
is introduced
into the esophagus
on a catheter through
the
nose
or mouth
and is attached to
the lining of
the esophagus with
a clip. The
catheter then is
detached from the capsule and
removed.
Once the capsule
is in place, the
patient
is
sent home
for 48 hours. During
the 48 hours
that the capsule
is in place, the
patient
goes
about his
or her usual activities,
for example,
eating, sleeping,
and working. The
receiver
records meals,
periods of sleep,
periods of acid
reflux and other symptoms.
After 48 hours
the patient returns
to
the doctor’s
office, and the
receiver is attached
to a computer
so that the
data
it has gathered
can be downloaded
into the computer
where
it is analyzed
and put
into graphic
form.
The capsule usually
detaches from
the esophagus
wall
within five
to seven days and
is
passed in the
stool, and
flushed away. |
What happens during and after
the procedure?
123 Medical Center Dr. 
