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.