Diagnosing Chronic Acid Reflux - Don't Ruin Your Body!

GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disease is commonly referred to as acid reflux disease. This is a disorder in which the liquefied contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus. The regurgitated stomach contents contain acids and pepsin which can cause severe damage to the esophagus. Fortunately, severe damage only happens in a small number of cases. Acid reflux disease is a chronic condition, and once the esophagus is damaged that too is a chronic condition. Treatments may improve the state of the esophagus, however with cessation of treatments the symptoms and problems can return within a matter of weeks. there are five specific ways your doctor will help determine if you have GERD.

Acid reflux disease has one common symptom, heartburn. If a doctor believes your heartburn is being caused by acid reflux disease then they often prescribe a medicine that will help stop the production of acid in your stomach. If your condition is relieved then it is assumed you were suffering from acid reflux disease.

The second way of diagnosing acid reflux disease is with endoscopy. During this procedure a flexible tube equipped with a camera is swallowed which allows your doctor to see what is happening to the esophageal lining. However, those with acid reflux disease will often have a normal looking esophagus. Therefore, this method of diagnosis is effective only in those people who have had acid reflux long enough for the esophagus to have become damaged. Although if an ulcer or other ailment is present, this diagnosis tool may work.

Biopsies are the third option. These are typically used to search for cancer in the esophagus. It is used to diagnosis acid reflux disease but it can also determine alternate causes of the symptoms.

The fourth option is to examine the throat and larynx. If either shows signs of inflammation this can indicate the patient has acid reflux disease but inflammation also can be caused by a number of other symptoms.

The final diagnostic option is esophageal acid testing and is probably the most accurate way to determine if a person is suffering from acid reflux disease. In this procedure a tube is placed through the nose and into the esophagus where remains for twenty-four hours. The sensor at the end of the tube measures the amount of acid that is backing up into the esophagus over a twenty-four hour period.

Depending on the seriousness or your condition or how long you have experienced symptoms your physician may decide to do a combination of the above tests. The tests will help rule out several reasons for you acid reflux.

Jill Seimer shares tips for a healthy lifestyle at RefluxLife.com She recently reported on natural cures for heartburn and acid reflux with her views on alternative remedies for acid reflux.

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