Ambulatory 24-hour pH Testing

Ambulatory 24-hour pH testing is a common method used to diagnosis GERD. This involves a nurse passing a tiny tube with a sensor on the tip through the patient’s nose and down the esophagus to about 2 inches above the valve separating the stomach and esophagus. This tube remains in place for 24-hours, during which time the patient wears a recorder and presses a button to mark certain events. This test measures the amount of reflux (stomach acid flowing back up into the esophagus) during a 24-hour period and assesses whether your symptoms are associated with the reflux.