Esophagus Tests

Bernstein Test

Why It Is Done

Tests on the esophagus are done to:

• Help determine whether chest pains may be caused by GERD.
• Help determine the cause of GERD symptoms for people who have not been helped by treatment, who have unusual symptoms, or whose esophagus looks normal during an endoscopy test.
• Monitor the effectiveness of treatment for GERD.
• Detect spasms of the esophagus, which can cause chest pain, and problems with the ability of the esophagus to move food down to the stomach (motility problems).
• Determine whether the esophagus is functioning normally.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: July 23, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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