You’ll be asked not to eat or drink for a set period before the catheter is placed (often after midnight or at least 6 hours). Your provider may also ask you to stop acid-suppressing medicines for several days so the test can measure your natural reflux, or to stay on them to see how well they are working. Follow the exact instructions in your prep sheet.

At the test visit, your nose and throat are numbed. A thin catheter is gently passed through your nose into the esophagus while you swallow. Once it is in position, it is taped to your nose and connected to a small recorder. You’ll go home the same day, wear the recorder for about 24 hours, follow your normal routine, and keep a diary of meals, symptoms, and sleep.

The next day, you return to have the catheter removed, which takes only a few moments. Mild throat or nasal irritation can occur and usually fades quickly. You can typically resume normal eating and activities right away unless your provider has other plans for your visit. Test results are reviewed with you at a follow-up visit to explain whether reflux is present and how it relates to your symptoms.