I have an acute acid reflux and I am advised to undergo a 24 Hr pH study? Can you highlight the test?

Esophageal pH or the 24 hr pH study is used to diagnose gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD, the regurgitation of acidic, partially digested food contents from the stomach into the esophagus) .Patients with severe heartburn will benefit from this procedure, as we can categorise them based on the 24 hr study. Very Severe refluxes may be recommended a curative surgery called Laparoscopic Anti reflux surgery or Fundoplication.

Esophageal pH monitoring is performed by passing a thin plastic catheter or tube through one nostril, into the esophagus as the patient . The tip of the catheter contains a sensor that senses acid. The catheter protruding from the nose is connected to a recorder that registers each reflux of acid. During the 24 hours study, the patient goes about his or her usual activities like eating, sleeping, and working. Meals, periods of sleep etc are recorded by the patient, by pushing buttons on the recorder. After the catheter is removed, the recorder is attached to a computer so that the data it has gathered can be downloaded into the computer where it is analyzed and put into graphic form for the doctor to draw his inference.