Respiratory Reflux Esophageal pH Study

The esophageal pH study, or rather the pH study in general, comes in two types. One of them is a laryngeal pH study, where a probe is placed through your nostril, which you will wear for approximately 24 hours. That will sit in the back of your throat where it’s very comfortable.  This is important especially for patients with respiratory reflux, or LPR. This specific test is essential so that we can document what and how much is coming up into the larynx, and how it relates to the reflux symptoms. This helps your doctor confirm whether your disease is actually related to what you’re feeling, and what the best treatment would be.

The esophageal pH probe is a longer probe, and remains, again, for at least 24 hours, but goes through the upper esophageal sphincter and all the way down to just above where the stomach is. This gives us an idea of how much acid, whether it be strongly acidic or weakly acidic, is coming up into the esophagus, and how it relates to your symptoms. We sometimes add a study known as impedance, which tells us directionality. Again, this just gives us an idea of how much reflux you have, and how well it relates to your symptoms, and therefore how to best treat you.