When you visit one of our specialists, we’ll start by asking questions about your symptoms, when did the trouble start, what exactly are your symptoms, how is it impacting your life? This helps us better understand the potential cause. The next step is often diagnostic testing, which provides a clear view of how your upper digestive system is functioning.
Neurogastroenterology and Motility experts are an important part of our team, especially when it comes to interpreting tests for complex conditions like swallowing problems, reflux, and motility disorders. These specialists help pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms and guide treatment decisions.
Types of Diagnostic Testing Include:
- Endoscopic Procedure
- Upper Endoscopy (EGD) — A flexible tube with a camera is inserted through your mouth to check for conditions like inflammation, ulcer, or other issues in the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.
- Mucosal impedance Test (MiVu) — Can be performed during an endoscopy to detect early changes related to acid reflux or other inflammatory conditions in the esophagus.
- pH and Acid Reflux Monitoring
- Esophageal pH Testing — A test that measures acid levels in your esophagus over a 24–48-hour period, helping to diagnose acid reflux or GERD
- Bravo pH Test — A small device temporarily placed in your esophagus to monitor acid levels for several days, sending data to a small receiver.
- Motility Studies
- Esophageal Motility Test (Manometry) — This test measures the muscle contractions in your esophagus to see how well it moves food and liquids to the stomach.
- Swallowing Evaluations
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) — A test that uses ultrasound during an endoscopy to capture detailed images of your esophagus and surrounding organs, helping to detect abnormalities.
- EndoFLIP — A test that measures the pressure and function of the esophagus to assess how well it moves and opens when you swallow.
- Imaging Studies
- Esophagram (Barium Swallow) — A special X-ray exam where you drink a liquid that shows up on the X-ray, allowing us to see the shape and function of your esophagus. It’s used to look for blockages or abnormalities in the esophagus.
- Gastric Emptying Study — A nuclear medicine study that evaluates how long it takes for food to leave your stomach and move into the small intestine. It helps evaluate conditions like gastroparesis, where the stomach empties too slowly.