24 pH Studies

The 24 pH study is for acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) measures how often and for how long stomach acid enters the esophagus, and how well it clears the esophagus. Performed with a thin, plastic tube armed with a sensor, it measures the amount of acid backing up into the esophagus.

What is a 24 pH Study?

The 24–hour pH probe study is a test that uses a thin probe or tube placed in the esophagus or food pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach to help your doctor diagnose and treat acid reflux.

What Does the 24 hour pH Test Show?

Esophageal 24–hour pH/Impedance Reflux Monitoring. Esophageal 24–hour pH/impedance reflux monitoring measures the amount of reflux (both acidic and non-acidic) in your esophagus during a 24–hour period, and assesses whether your symptoms are correlated with the reflux. The 24pH study will be done in Digestive Care Physicians own Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) surgical facility locate in the Johns Creek, GA office.

Is This Test Painful?

There are very few side effects of esophageal pH monitoring. There may be mild discomfort in the back of the throat while the catheter is in place. The vast majority of patients have no difficulty eating, sleeping, or going about their daily activities.

Results

Most of the time people go home after the test and will have an appointment scheduled at which time they will hear about the results of the pH test.

Depending on your results, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes as well as medications to ease your symptoms and prevent complications.