The stomach is very acidic because it produces gastric acid. Although most of the time the contents of the stomach are prevented from escaping into the esophagus by a ring of smooth muscle, sometimes this muscle relaxes, allowing the acidic contents to "reflux" into the esophagus. Acid reflux can cause heartburn, which causes a painful burning sensation in the chest (that may feel like it is coming from the heart), as well as an increased risk of ulcers or cancer developing in the esophagus.
Step 1
Get a barium swallow radiograph. This kind of test, which will be administered by your doctor, involves you drinking a solution of barium (which will be kind of chalky) and then getting X-rays. According to the NIDDK, this test will let your doctor see if the contents of your stomach are refluxing into your esophagus and may also show if your esophagus is getting irritated.
Step 2
Have a 24-hour esophageal pH test done. According to Medline, your doctor will insert a small tube down your throat that contains a small device that will monitor acidity. This device will be left in your esophagus for 24 hours. During this time, eat as you normally would and note when you experience any symptoms of acid reflux. After this, the device will be removed where it will be hooked up to a computer to reveal the acidity in your esophagus during the 24-hour period.
Step 3
Receive an upper endoscopy. This medical procedure involves numbing your throat (or giving you anesthesia) and then looking at your esophagus using a small flexible camera. This will let the doctor see if your esophagus is getting burned or irritated due to acid reflux.
