Hello! Many BNTM patients don’t understand the need for a gastroenterologist. We are often overloaded by the number of
specialists that we are advised to see. I am reviewing basic GI testing so you
can be empowered to understand and ask the right questions when you do see a gastroenterologist.

🌡️ Esophageal pH
monitoring measures acid levels in your esophagus. It tells your doctor: How
much acid is refluxing from the stomach into the esophagus. How often reflux happens,
and how long acid stays there.

What does “pH” actually mean? pH is a scale that measures
acidity: 7 = neutral, below 7 = acidic. The lower the number, the more acidic
your stomach is; stomach acid is very acidic (around pH 1–3). Your esophagus
should not be exposed to that acid frequently. If testing shows repeated drops
in esophageal pH below 4, it usually indicates significant acid.

💡 Why This Matters for
BNTM- significant acid can weaken the
lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the esophageal clearance, which is how
well acid is pushed back down. This can lead to: chronic reflux, silent reflux,
inflammation, difficulty swallowing, and or chest discomfort.

pH testing helps determine whether acid is truly the cause
of symptoms; it checks whether acid is damaging the esophagus or if something
else is going on. pH testing can be done the traditional way, with a thin catheter
placed in your nose or with a Bravo Capsule (a camera inserted into your
esophagus) during an EGD. Please discuss these options with your healthcare
provider. Understanding what is really going on in your upper gastrointestinal system
will determine what meds are most suitable for you. You do not want to be on
the wrong medications for an extended
period of time.