Bernstein test

The test is done in a gastroenterology laboratory. A nasogastric (NG) tube is passed through one side of your nose and into your esophagus. Mild hydrochloric acid will be sent down the tube, followed by salt water (saline) solution. This process may be repeated several times. You will be asked to tell the health care…

You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the test.

You may have a gagging feeling and some discomfort when the tube is put in place. The acid may cause symptoms of heartburn. Your throat may be sore after the test.

The test tries to reproduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (stomach acids coming back up into the esophagus). It is done to see if you have the condition.

The test results will be negative [no symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)].

A positive test shows that your symptoms are caused by esophageal reflux of acid from the stomach.

There is a risk of gagging or vomiting.

Bremner RM, Mittal SK. Esophageal symptoms and selection of diagnostic tests. In: Yeo CJ, ed. Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 5. Kavitt RT, Vaezi MF. Diseases of the esophagus. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head…