24-Hour Esophageal pH Study
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A 24-hour esophageal pH study is used to measure the number of acid reflux episodes a patient experiences during a 24-hour period. The study also measures the amount of time (in minutes) that stomach acid is present in the esophagus and allows for evaluation of your symptoms with activity, at home or work, and especially during sleep.
Before Your Appointment
The 24-hour esophageal pH study takes place in an examination room. You will not be asked to remove any clothing, and sedation is not usually given. Your appointment will last about an hour, including outpatient admission, instruction and placement of the pH catheter.
- The nurse will spray the inside of your throat with a topical anesthetic and will use an anesthetic lubricant on the small, flexible pH tube.
- The tube (1/8? in diameter) is gently placed into one nostril and guided into the esophagus. The end of the tube is positioned precisely 2? above the diaphragm, where acid sensing occurs.
- After the pH catheter is placed, it is secured to the end of your nose and side of your face with small pieces of silk tape.
- The catheter is attached to a "Walkman" style recorder, which is provided.
After Your Appointment
After your appointment you will be able to resume normal activities. Some patients find that the pH catheter does not interfere with their normal activities, while others find it to be annoying and choose to have someone drive them home. You will need to return to the clinic 24 hours after the procedure to have the catheter removed. Removal will only take about five minutes.
The catheter may cause:
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
Risks
24-Hour esophageal pH monitoring is a very low risk procedure, when performed by a competent specialist. Complications such as perforations (tearing) or bleeding of the gastrointestinal wall can occur, but they are rare. Equipment failure or death are extremely unlikely but remain remote possibilities.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns, either before or after your appointment.
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I see Dr. Michelle Hendrix for 2 years, I look forward going to go to my appointments. She seems like going to visit a friend. She's very thorough with test I need to go. Her and Jordan basically saved my life. I needed Xifan which is $4000.00 each month, I had to change insurance because my copay w was $1200.00 per which NO WAY could I afford but I needed it, if I didn't take 2 pills per day. So between Michelle and Jordan worked diligent to get samples from sales rep. I really owe them my life. If they couldn't get for me to save my life and drive to Canada for. So know I have dual insurance as well as the extra care benefit all my meds have a copay of $0. Can't beat that! They are absolutely AMAZING. I could go on and but I think I've sumed up a small portion of what they've done It was a gift from God to be a patient of Wagi!!!
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Hello, my appointment was Sharon Barker. She is very detail oriented. Always helpful and kind. I feel she really understands me and my needs. Ask her about the two for one discount Colo/ Endo 2 for 1 special called "the Turn around" please! I'm happy with her personable attention to details. I'm sure with her in the mix of providers I will be in with the best served! Okay, okay the 2 for 1 special I was, ok, I'm kidding! My bad. Thank you! Sharon Barker, you're the best, all kidding aside!
Excellent staff, questions answered and also willing to listen to your concerns.
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