Testing

Testing services offered in Lone Tree, CO

Testing is the essential first step in finding the cause of symptoms like heartburn and difficulty swallowing. At the Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery, a part of SOFI Research, LLC, the premier medical team led by Reginald Bell, MD, and Philip Woodworth, MD, uses the most advanced testing methods at their Lone Tree, Colorado, office. Book your appointment online now or call the office to schedule your testing.

Testing Q & A

When might I need testing?

The Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery team uses testing to identify the cause of chronic health problems like:

Lump in the throat
Chest pain
Difficulty swallowing
Chronic cough
Bad taste in the back of your mouth

These symptoms can indicate acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), or other problem that require treatment. Testing allows the team to verify the exact problem so that you can get the most effective treatment.

What testing is available?

The Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery offers an extensive range of advanced testing methods.

Most testing is part of an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), more simply an upper endoscopy. A long, thin tube with a built-in camera collects information about your digestive tract during an upper endoscopy. Alternative endoscopy methods include capsule endoscopy, in which you swallow a pill-like capsule containing a miniature camera.

Tests you might need include:

SmartPill™ Motility Testing System

SmartPill, from Medtronic in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a capsule endoscopy. The SmartPill records data through your digestive system, including information about your acid levels, muscle pressure, temperature, and how fast food travels through your digestive tract.

Ph testing

Ph testing uses a probe in your esophagus (placed during an upper endoscopy) to check how frequently stomach acid reaches your esophagus and how long the acid remains there. This test takes 24-96 hours.

EndoFLIP™

EndoFLIP, another Medtronic treatment, is a procedure to determine the dimensions and pressure level inside your esophagus. This test is part of an upper endoscopy.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a test where the team obtains a small amount of tissue inside your digestive tract. This is usually done during an upper endoscopy.

These are only a few of the many tests available at the Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery. You could need X-rays, a CT scan, gallbladder testing, and other tests to discover your underlying problems and how to treat them.

What happens after testing?

After testing, the team explains your results and diagnosis. They’ll outline the different treatments and recommend the approaches to give you the best symptom relief.

The Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery offers the most advanced minimally invasive procedures to correct esophageal problems, including EsoFLIP® esophageal dilation, the LINX® procedure, the EsophyX® Z+ Device for Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), and Stretta®.

Schedule your testing by calling the Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery or click on the provided online booking tool now.