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24 pH Study Test

A 24 hour pH study test is performed to evaluate the amount of stomach acid washing up into the esophagus over the course of a 24-hour period. This study is often done in patients with heartburn or other stomach problems or as a pre-operative test before an acid reflux surgery. 

 

Gene Chiao, M.D. explains the equipment used for a patient's 24 hour pH Study Test

How to prepare for the procedure

7 days prior to the test:

The following medications should be stopped: Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole) and Aciphex (rabeprazole). Occasionally, under special doctor’s instructions, these medications are continued through the testing period for specific reasons. 

2 days prior to the test:
The following medications should be stopped: anti-ulcer or antacid medications (i.e., Tagamet, Pepcid, and Zantac).

 

1 day prior to the test:
 The following medication should be stopped: Reglan (metoclopramide).

12 hours prior to test:
The following medications should be stopped with your physicians approval: nitrobid, nitropaste, nitroglycerine patches, verapamil, cardizem and nifedipine.

No food or liquid (includes water) after midnight the night before the test  


What to expect once you arrive for your procedure

  • A topical anesthetic is sprayed into the nose.

  • A thin flexible wire is passed through the nose and positioned into the lower esophagus.

  • Usually no additional sedation is given during the test.

  • This wire has small acid sensors built into the tip of the tube. The other end of the wire is connected to a small computer that is worn by the patient.

  • The patient is asked to wear the acid sensor for 24 hours. The computer records the amount of acid coming up from the stomach into the esophagus.

  • The patient returns the next day to have the wire and the computer removed. The wire and the computer take about 30 minutes to set up and about 5 minutes to remove.


This test is often done immediately after the esophageal manometry.

This test is available at the Highland Park Hospital GI Lab.
To schedule an appointment call 847.480.2828.