DIAGNOSING DYSPHAGIA REFLUX TESTING AND TREATMENT
A physical exam combined with further testing may be required to identify the underlying cause of your swallowing problem.
HOW IS DYSPHAGIA DIAGNOSED?
Your physician will begin by performing a physical exam and discussing your symptoms and history. During the assessment, your physician will want to know the following:
- How long you’ve had symptoms
- Whether your symptoms come and go or are getting worse
- Whether you’re having trouble swallowing solids, liquids, or both
- Whether you've lost weight
While the physical exam and symptom assessment may be enough to reach an initial diagnosis of dysphagia, further testing is required to identify the underlying cause of your swallowing problem.
TESTING FOR DYSPHAGIA
Swallowing is a complex process that may be disrupted by any number of different conditions. Because dysphagia has so many potential causes, your doctor may use a variety of different tests to determine the cause of your swallowing symptoms.
SWALLOWING STUDY
In a swallowing study, your physician will have you swallow barium-coated foods of various consistencies. The barium coating makes the foods visible on an x-ray as you chew and swallow. Your physician can watch the food as it moves from your mouth and esophagus into your stomach, identifying any issues that may be interfering with your swallowing process.
ESOPHAGEAL MANOMETRY
Esophageal manometry is a test that measures pressure inside your esophagus to determine whether it’s working properly. During the procedure, a catheter with pressure sensors is inserted through your nose down your esophagus and into your stomach. The sensors measure the rhythmic muscle contractions that occur inside your esophagus when you chew and swallow. This provides diagnostic information about the movement (motility) of food through your esophagus.
ENDOSCOPY
An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an endoscopy of your upper gastrointestinal tract. In an EGD procedure, your physician passes an endoscope (a flexible tube with a small camera attached to the end) down the length of your esophagus to diagnose symptoms in your upper GI tract. An EGD is typically performed under sedation.
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Lambert R. Digestive endoscopy: Relevance of negative findings. Italian journal of gastroenterology and hepatology. 1999;31(8):761-72