Esophageal pH monitoring
Esophageal pH monitoring is a procedure that measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity in the esophagus. It is often used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which the stomach's contents frequently flow back into the esophagus.
Pronunciation
Esophageal: /ɪˌsɒfəˈdʒiːəl/ pH: /piːˈeɪtʃ/ Monitoring: /ˈmɒnɪtərɪŋ/
Etymology
The term "esophageal" is derived from the Greek word "oisophagos" which means gullet. "pH" stands for "potential of hydrogen," indicating the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. "Monitoring" comes from the Latin word "monere," which means to warn or remind.
Procedure
Esophageal pH monitoring involves the insertion of a thin tube through the patient's nose and into the esophagus. The tube has a sensor that measures pH levels. The other end of the tube is attached to a small computer that records the data. The patient usually wears the device for 24 hours, during which time they can go about their normal activities.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Esophageal pH monitoring
- Wikipedia's article - Esophageal pH monitoring
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