Doctors rely heavily on symptoms and response to treatment for diagnosis. The doctor must rule out alternative diagnoses that may masquerade as GERD: functional heartburn, atypical cases of achalasia, or distal esophageal spasm. Based on your symptoms, you will likely be prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). These block the acid production in the stomach. If there is no response to these medications, your doctor may try additional tests. The specific tests as suggested below are usually only used if there is unclear diagnosis for GERD, or if there are more serious symptoms.  Some testing, such as esophageal manometry, is recommended for preoperative evaluation. Endoscopy is recommended in the presence of alarm symptoms and for screening of patients at high risk for complications. An upper GI endoscopy procedure helps to evaluate the overall anatomy and identify any structural problems or complications from the disease. This test confirms the presence of acid reflux disease and is useful determining the extent of damage to the esophagus. Other upper GI conditions are also diagnosed by this method.  Examples of other conditions diagnosed by doing an upper GI endoscopy include anemia, unexplained nausea and vomiting, ulcers, bleeding, and precancerous abnormalities. An upper GI is done by inserting an endoscope, which is a long and flexible tube with a camera on the end, down the throat and into the esophagus. This allows the examiner to see the lining of your upper GI areas including your esophagus. Your doctor will give you clear instructions to follow prior to the procedure. Follow the directions provided by your doctor. The items listed here are provided for information only, and may differ from those provided by your doctor.  Do not eat or drink anything for at least eight hours before the procedure. In order for the doctor to clearly see the lining of your esophagus and stomach area, your stomach needs to be empty. This includes smoking, eating any food, drinking any beverages including water, and chewing gum. Upper GI endoscopies are usually done in a hospital or outpatient surgical center since mild sedation is provided. Be sure you have a ride home. You will be given a mild form of anesthesia so you will not be allowed to drive immediately after. Some doctors will perform this procedure without using sedation, but this is not commonly done. You may be asked to gargle with, or spray, a liquid anesthetic on the back of your throat. This helps to stop the gag reflex as the tube is inserted.  You will lie on your side on an exam table during the procedure. An IV will be started in your arm or hand so you can be given the medication for sedation. Nurses or other doctors will be with you to monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure. The examiner will insert a long, thin, tube with a camera on the end into your mouth and gently push it through your esophagus and into your stomach area. This allows the examiner to look closely at the tissues in your upper GI tract and stomach area. If necessary, the doctor may take a biopsy of tissues during the examination. This is done by using an instrument carefully inserted through the tube that has been passed into your upper GI area. You will not feel any pain from the biopsy. Sometimes air is pumped into the stomach and duodenum, which is the uppermost part of your intestine. This helps the examiner to see all the tissues and linings to better determine the cause of the problem. The entire procedure usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. In many cases, the doctor can give you immediate feedback on what was found. Tissue biopsies take several days to get the results. You will stay at the hospital or center for several hours after the procedure to allow time for you to wake up from the sedatives used, and to be sure there are no problems as a result of the procedure. Many people feel bloated and nauseous for a few hours and have a sore throat for one or two days following the procedure. You can expect to rest at home for the rest of the day and possibly the following day. Resume your normal diet once your sore throat has subsided and you do not have any trouble swallowing. Manometry studies are done to provide detailed information on people that may be surgical candidates. The procedure allows the doctor to evaluate how well the esophagus is functioning and if there is are problems that can be corrected with surgery.  Manometry is a procedure that provides important information about the overall function of the esophagus and the sphincter at the bottom that normally tightens or closes once food has passed through. During the manometry, the doctor will be able to measure the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, check for problems with motility, evaluate the contraction and relaxation of the esophagus, and identify other problems that may be related to swallowing. Your doctor will provide specific instructions for you to follow to prepare for your manometry study. Follow the guidelines exactly as your doctor outlined. You will likely be told not to eat or drink anything for at least eight hours before the test is to be done. If it is scheduled for first thing in the morning, then you should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. You will not be sedated during the test but medication is used to make the procedure more comfortable.  Medications that numb your throat area and nasal passages are used just before the procedure starts. The medication makes the insertion of the tube more comfortable. The procedure involves passing a thin, pressure-sensitive tube through your nose, down your throat and esophagus, an into your stomach. You will likely be sitting upright when the tube is inserted. You may feel a gagging sensation and some discomfort as the tube is passed through your nose and throat. The tube is pulled back slightly once it reaches the stomach to be sure it is in your esophagus. You may remain seated or be asked to recline on your back for the rest of the procedure. Once the tube is in the proper place, you will be asked to swallow small sips of water. The catheter, or tube, is connected to a computer and can take important readings as you swallow. Breathe slowly and regularly, remain as still as possible, and swallow only when asked to do so. The computer readings can determine if the sphincter muscles in your esophagus are normal. The procedure also checks the overall function of the esophagus with regards to proper contraction, relaxation, and motility. You may have a slight nosebleed, watery eyes, and sore throat, during and following the procedure. It is possible, but very rare, for your esophagus to be damaged during the procedure. Your doctor will advise you when you can resume normal eating and drinking, which is normally immediately after the procedure is completed. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour. It is usually done in a hospital or surgical center setting. Expect several days for the final test results to be available.
اعرف الطرق الشائعة لتشخيص ارتجاع المريء. أجر تنظير داخلي للجزء العلوي من القناة الهضمية. استعد للخضوع للتنظير الداخلي العلوي. اعرف ما يجب توقعه أثناء إجراء الاختبار وبعد انتهائه مباشرةً. اخضع لاختبار حركية المريء (قياس الضغط بالمانومتر). استعد للخضوع لاختبار حركية المريء. اعرف ما يجب توقعه قبل الاختبار وبعد إجرائه مباشرةً.