Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms may be so clear that no study necessary.

If the doctor has doubts or are bothersome symptoms, there will be a gastroscopy. During the same can be confirmed or ruled out esophagitis, hiatal hernia, peptic ulcer and other conditions.

Another diagnostic test is the pH-monitoring, which measures the acidity in the lower esophagus during a period of 24 hours. This gives some idea of the frequency and duration of reflux episodes, since it is normal that the acidity of the esophagus is different from your stomach and yet in patients with reflux, to make this test is usually found greater acidity installment due in the lower esophagus.

Finally, it is possible to measure pressures within the esophagus using a technique called esophageal manometry. Usually not used except in case there are complications. With this measure the closure pressure lower esophagus, which is decreased in the case of reflux?

Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms can mimic those of a peptic ulcer, chest pains (angina), muscle aches, back problems, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones, pancreatic disease, etc.. Such conditions should be discarded to make the diagnosis of reflux.