Esophagus Tests
Why It Is Done
Tests on the esophagus are done to:
- Help find the cause of chest pain that is not caused by heart problems (called noncardiac chest pain).
- Help determine the cause of GERD symptoms for a person who has not been helped by medicine and whose esophagus looks normal during an Reference endoscopy Opens New Window test.
- Monitor the effectiveness of treatment for GERD.
- Detect spasms of the esophagus, which can cause chest pain, and problems with the ability of the esophagus to move food down to the stomach (motility problems).
- Determine whether the esophagus is working normally.
- To evaluate how the esophagus works before surgery for GERD.
Esophagus tests are usually not done in people with GERD if their symptoms are well controlled with medicine.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference April 25, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
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