Acid Reflux Tests

To properly diagnose acid reflux, your physician will start with a complete physical exam and will ask you questions about your symptoms and risk factors, including tobacco and alcohol use. Although a completely accurate diagnostic test for GERD does not exist, several tests are available to help identify acid reflux:

Barium Swallow Radiograph

A barium swallow radiograph is a noninvasive test that requires drinking a solution (a contrast liquid called barium that coats the digestive tract and appears white on radiographs, revealing its shape and condition), followed by taking X-rays. The X-rays of the upper digestive tract help identify physical abnormalities that may be responsible for acid reflux and GERD, such as severe inflammation of the esophagus or a hiatal hernia. This test can also show if there is a narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture) or ulcers along the esophagus caused by stomach acids.

Upper Endoscopy

An upper endoscopy is a procedure that uses a lighted, flexible endoscope to see inside the upper gastrointestinal tract to confirm GERD. The procedure is performed under light sedation in a doctor’s office or hospital. The physician may spray your throat or have you gargle with an anesthetic to numb the area before inserting a thin, flexible plastic tube with a light and tiny camera on the end (the endoscope) down your throat. It allows the doctor to see the surface of the esophagus and search for abnormalities. The physician can also slide tiny tweezer-like “forceps” through the endoscope, permitting him or her to take small tissue samples (a biopsy). An upper endoscopy is more accurate than a barium swallow radiograph.

Get more information on endoscopy. 

Ambulatory Acid (pH) Monitoring Examination

In an ambulatory acid (pH) monitoring examination, the physician inserts a tiny, flexible, acid-measuring tube or probe through your nose into the esophagus above the lower esophageal sphincter muscle; it will remain there for 24 hours. Alternatively, a tiny device can be clipped to the esophagus for 24 to 48 hours. Your doctor may also ask you to record symptoms and meals including when, what, and how much you ate. Over the course of a full day, the ambulatory acid (pH) monitoring probe measures when and how much stomach acid backflows into the esophagus and feeds data into a computer you wear around your waist. The procedure is helpful in diagnosing patients with GERD symptoms but no esophageal damage. The test can also help detect whether or not respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and coughing are brought on by acid reflux.

Learn more about pH monitoring

Other Tests for Acid Reflux 

• Esophageal manometry
• Bernstein test