Let Our Digestive Specialists Help You Live More Comfortably
Experiencing difficulty swallowing, chest pain, regurgitation, and/or severe gastroesophageal reflux can be incredibly discomforting. Gastro doctors can help with these symptoms and may recommend esophageal manometry to help determine the cause and treat the issues you are experiencing. Esophageal manometry is a procedure designed to assess the contractile properties of the esophagus — this gives digestive specialists better assess the functioning of the esophagus.
At Northeastern Gastroenterology Associates, our gastro doctors have experience performing esophageal manometry procedures to help diagnose and, in many cases, treat problems related to the esophagus. If you are experiencing symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, problems with swallowing, a feeling that something is stuck in the throat, or pain/burning in the chest after eating, esophageal manometry can help get to the bottom of it.
Why Choose Northeastern Gastroenterology Associates for Esophageal Manometry :
Your comfort is the top priority for our gastro doctors and technicians
We use esophageal manometry to diagnose, and often treat, many digestive disorders
The procedure is relatively quick and causes little discomfort or pain
We’ll answer any questions you have about your symptoms or the procedure
Our doctors will review the results of the study once they obtain them
Esophageal Manometry Overview
The main purpose of an esophageal manometry procedure is to measure the pressure and swallowing function inside the esophagus. This procedure also gives gastro doctors a better opportunity to determine if the valves in the esophagus are opening and closing properly and at the right time.
The procedure involves the insertion of a pressure-sensitive tube into your nose that is then fed into your throat, esophagus, and stomach. The exam is often done before and after medical or surgical treatment of the esophagus. In many cases, esophageal manometry is very effective in evaluating the contraction function of the esophagus.
What To Expect
Patients undergoing an esophageal manometry procedure will start by sitting in a chair or lying on their side. The gastro doctor will gently pass the thin, pressure-sensitive tube into their nose. Once the tip of the tube enters the esophagus, the doctor or technician will continue to pass it down to the designer leveled. The patient will be asked to swallow — the pressure of the muscle contractions while swallowing will be measured along several sections of the tube. Once the tests are done, the tube is removed. From start to finish, the procedure only takes about an hour. Patients are usually able to resume regular activity, eating, and medications immediately after the exam.
How to Prep for Esophageal Manometry
Preparing for esophageal manometry is simple. To avoid aspiration, patients are asked to stop eating or drinking anything, including water, four to six hours before the test. There are numerous medications that can affect the motility of the esophagus. Patients may be asked to discontinue certain medications at least 48 hours in advance for that reasonyee. If you have questions about how to prepare for an esophageal manometry procedure, contact your gastro doctor prior to your procedure.