• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Digestive Associates Logo
  • Home
  • Providers
    • Vishvinder Sharma, MD
    • Dipesh Banker, MD
    • Ranadev Mukherjee, MD
    • Shahid Wahid, MD
    • Nikhil Karanth, MD
    • Nasim McDermott, DO
    • Brian Carlson, MD
    • Jawad Jilani, DO
    • Eladio Carrera, MD
    • Marcella Pomeranz, DNP, APRN
    • Daisy Vo, FNP-BC
    • Francess E. Ehixojie, MSN, APRN, BC-FNP
    • Payton Cerda, PA-C
    • Steven Evans, PA-C
    • Manushak Avanesyan, MPAS, PA-C
    • Nicole Nelson, PA-C
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Patient Education
      • Abdominal Bloating
      • Abdominal Pain
      • Anal Fissure
      • Ascites
      • Barrett Esophagus
      • Bowel Incontinence
      • Celiac Disease
      • Cirrhosis
      • Constipation
      • Crohn’s Disease
      • Diarrhea
      • Diverticulitis
      • Diverticulosis
      • Fatty Liver
      • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
      • Helicobacter Pylori Infection
      • Heartburn
      • Hemorrhoids
      • Hepatitis A
      • Hepatitis B
      • Hepatitis C
      • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
      • Peptic Ulcer
      • Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth
      • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Treatments & Tests
      • Capsule Endoscopy
      • Colon Cancer Screening
      • Colonoscopy
      • Endoscopic Ultrasound
      • Esophageal pH Monitoring
      • Lactose Tolerance Tests
      • Liver Biopsy
    • Procedure Preparations
  • Home
  • Providers
    • Vishvinder Sharma, MD
    • Dipesh Banker, MD
    • Ranadev Mukherjee, MD
    • Shahid Wahid, MD
    • Nikhil Karanth, MD
    • Nasim McDermott, DO
    • Brian Carlson, MD
    • Jawad Jilani, DO
    • Eladio Carrera, MD
    • Marcella Pomeranz, DNP, APRN
    • Daisy Vo, FNP-BC
    • Francess E. Ehixojie, MSN, APRN, BC-FNP
    • Payton Cerda, PA-C
    • Steven Evans, PA-C
    • Manushak Avanesyan, MPAS, PA-C
    • Nicole Nelson, PA-C
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Patient Education
      • Abdominal Bloating
      • Abdominal Pain
      • Anal Fissure
      • Ascites
      • Barrett Esophagus
      • Bowel Incontinence
      • Celiac Disease
      • Cirrhosis
      • Constipation
      • Crohn’s Disease
      • Diarrhea
      • Diverticulitis
      • Diverticulosis
      • Fatty Liver
      • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
      • Helicobacter Pylori Infection
      • Heartburn
      • Hemorrhoids
      • Hepatitis A
      • Hepatitis B
      • Hepatitis C
      • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
      • Peptic Ulcer
      • Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth
      • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Treatments & Tests
      • Capsule Endoscopy
      • Colon Cancer Screening
      • Colonoscopy
      • Endoscopic Ultrasound
      • Esophageal pH Monitoring
      • Lactose Tolerance Tests
      • Liver Biopsy
    • Procedure Preparations

PHONE: 702-633-0207
FAX: 702-633-0254

Esophageal pH Monitoring

Definition Collapse

Esophageal pH monitoring is a test that measures how often stomach acid enters the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach (called the esophagus). The test also measures how long the acid stays there.

How the Test is Performed Expand

A thin tube is passed through your nose or mouth to your stomach. The tube is then pulled back into your esophagus. A monitor attached to the tube measures the acid level in your esophagus.

You will wear the monitor on a strap and record your symptoms and activity over the next 24 hours in a diary. You will return to the hospital the next day and the tube will be removed. The information from the monitor will be compared with your diary notes.

Infants and children may need to stay in the hospital for the esophageal pH monitoring.

This test can also be done during upper GI endoscopy by clipping a pH monitor to the lining of the esophagus.

How to Prepare for the Test Expand

Your health care provider will ask you to not eat or drink after midnight before the test. You should also avoid smoking.

Some medicines may change the test results. Your provider may ask you to not take these for between 24 hours and 2 weeks (or more) before the test. You also may be told to avoid alcohol.

Medicines that you may need to stop include:

  • Adrenergic blockers
  • Antacids
  • Anticholinergics
  • Cholinergics
  • Corticosteroids H2 blockers
  • Proton pump inhibitors

DO NOT stop taking any medicine unless told to do so by your provider.

How the Test will Feel Expand

You briefly feel like gagging as the tube is passed through your throat.

Why the Test is Performed Expand

Esophageal pH monitoring is used to check how much stomach acid is entering the esophagus. It also checks how well the acid is cleared downward into the stomach. It is a test for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

In infants, this test is also used to check for GERD and other problems related to excessive crying.

 

Normal Results Expand

Normal value ranges may vary depending on the lab doing the test. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean Expand

Increased acid in the esophagus may be related to:

  • Barrett esophagus
  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Esophageal scarring
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Heartburn
  • Reflux esophagitis

You may need to have the following tests if your provider suspects esophagitis:

  • Barium swallow
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (also called upper GI endoscopy)
Risks Expand

Rarely, the following may occur:

  • Arrhythmias during insertion of the tube
  • Breathing in of vomit if the catheter causes vomiting
Alternative Names Expand

pH monitoring - esophageal; Esophageal acidity test

Office Locations

Las Vegas

5440 W Sahara Ave, Suite 302
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
Mon - Fri : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Summerlin

653 N Town Center Dr, Suite 204
Las Vegas, Nevada 89144
Contact the office for hours.

North Las Vegas

2031 N McDaniel, Suite 140
North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030
Mon - Fri : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Henderson

866 Seven Hills Dr, Suite 104
Henderson, Nevada 89052
Mon - Fri : 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Pahrump-Lola Ln

330 S Lola Ln, Suite 200
Pahrump, Nevada 89048
Contact the office for hours.

Pahrump-Loop Rd

1397 S Loop Rd
Pahrump, Nevada 89048
Contact the office for hours.

702-633-0207

Call Today To Make An Appointment At Any Of Our Locations.

  • Home
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy & Terms

© Digestive Associates 2019
Website Design & Development by Tech 2U