pH Measurement

What is it?

This test shows severity of acid reflux in the oesophagus. It is a very safe procedure that is usually performed without any problems.

You will need to fast (no eating or drinking for at least six hours).
Please check in with your identity card via the e-kiosk, then report to the Digestive Centre Secretariat.
Usually, you should not take acid blockers, such as Maalox, Gaviscon, Tagamet, Zantag, Losec, Nexiam, Dakar, Zurcale and Pantozole, for five days before the test, unless told otherwise.

After numbing a nostril using the local anaesthetic of Xylocaine, a thin pH tube (single-use) is introduced through the nose and down to a specific depth in the oesophagus. The probe is connected to a recorder in a pouch you can wear.
You may eat normally and you do not have to stay in hospital.
You keep a diary (start and end of meals, time of sleeping and getting up, smoking, pain or acid regurgitation, etcetera).
The recording will last for at least 24 hours.
You should report to the reception desk of the Digestive Centre. The information recorded is interpreted by the computer and is examined along with the information from your diary.

In principle, there are no complications. Very rarely, there might be a little bleeding from the nose.

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Digestive Centre

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Latest publication date: 13/08/2024
Supervising author: Dr Monsaert Els