GERD, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, refers to a medical condition wherein stomach acids move up from your stomach to your mouth. According to the Mayo Clinic, GERD can interfere with your life, especially when you have frequent symptoms. There are specific ways to diagnose GERD.
Step 1
Go to your doctor to get an X-ray of your stomach, esophagus (tube that connects your stomach to your mouth), and duodenum (upper portion of your small intestine). This test is also called a barium swallow or upper GI (gastrointestinal) series. You will drink a thick, chalky drink and an X-ray machine will take a picture of your organs. Your doctor can then visualize whether or not your stomach, esophagus and duodenum are normal in shape, size and movement.
Step 2
Get an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Go to your gastroenterologist (stomach doctor) to for this test, also known as an EGD. Your doctor will insert a flexible tube into your throat. The light and camera at the end of the flexible tube will allow your gastroenterologist to look at your esophagus, stomach and duodenum up close. He will look for ulcers, abnormal growths, bleeding and inflammation.
Step 3
Get an esophageal pH monitoring test. Your doctor will insert a small tube into your nose and move its tip into your esophagus. This tube is attached to an electric monitor that you will wear on your waist for two days. The monitor records the pH (measure of acidity) in your esophagus. Keep a log of when you experience GERD symptoms, and this information will be compared to the results from your esophageal pH monitor.
Step 4
Get an esophageal manometry test. This test will assess the movement and pressure in your esophagus. Food usually moves from your mouth to your esophagus, stomach and lower esophageal sphincter. With GERD, your sphincter does not close properly and acid is allowed to move back up your digestive system to your mouth. The esophageal manometry test assesses whether your esophagus is properly contracting and relaxing.
