Esophageal Manometry Specialist

What is esophageal manometry?

Esophageal manometry tests evaluate the pressure inside your esophagus (the tube food travels down to reach your stomach). The GI Specialists of Houston team passes a thin, flexible tube into your nose and your esophagus. They ask you to take sips of water and swallow at precise intervals.

Esophageal manometry provides valuable information about the passage of food and drinks through your esophagus. It’s especially useful for evaluating how well the muscles at the top and bottom of your esophagus open and close.

Your provider can also assess muscle pressure in your esophagus, how fast your esophageal muscles work, and muscle movement patterns. 

Why might I need esophageal manometry?

The GI Specialists of Houston team might recommend esophageal manometry for symptoms, such as:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Pain when you swallow
• Frequent heartburn
• Chest pain

These symptoms could be due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a common problem where the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the end of your esophagus doesn’t shut properly.

The LES should open when you swallow to allow food to enter your stomach, then close afterward. If the LES can’t close properly, there’s nothing to stop acid from traveling up your esophagus and causing heartburn — a burning chest pain — that can lead to long-term damage.

GERD develops when you have chronic acid reflux. It often improves with lifestyle changes, like weight loss, a healthier diet, and medications that lower your stomach acid levels. However, if you don’t improve, esophageal manometry can help the GI Specialists of Houston team find out why.

Depending on your symptoms, they might need to perform other tests, like an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or Bravo™ pH testing.

What conditions does esophageal manometry diagnose?

Esophageal manometry can help the GI Specialists of Houston team diagnose several conditions, including:

Achalasia

Achalasia happens when your LES doesn’t open properly. People with achalasia have problems swallowing and frequent regurgitation because food gets stuck above the LES.

Esophageal spasms

Esophageal spasms occur when your esophagus muscles randomly contract. 

Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disorder that can affect lower esophageal muscle movements.

People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who are due for surgery might need to undergo esophageal manometry to ensure they don’t have achalasia or scleroderma. GERD surgery doesn’t help these conditions improve.

To discover more about esophageal manometry and how it can help you overcome upper gastrointestinal tract disorders, call GI Specialists of Houston today or book an appointment online.