It's comforting to self diagnose yourself using information collected in books, online and from friends. It saves having to discuss it with the doctor, means you don't have to undergo long tests, and it also means you can feel happy in yourself knowing what it is you have. However, in the case of acid reflux, there is no need for a self diagnosis, which isn't at all reliable, as the test is so simple. Don't be the one to run the risk of more serious complications associated with acid reflux due to your reluctance to undergo a relaxed gastric emptying study and acid perfusion test. You might think it's like something out of star wars, but the way a gastric emptying study works is a reality, and these tests are carried out all the time. First, you eat what's referred to as a Barium Meal. This is a meal that is coated with very weak radioactive material, that isn't capable of damaging your body, but will be able to be tracked as it passes through your digestive system. A Geiger Counter style device is measures how long it takes for the food to drain from your stomach, and based on the time, a doctor will decide whether or not surgery or drugs will be beneficial to you, in order to allow your stomach to drain faster. A tight stomach and slow digestion make acid reflux more likely; prescription drugs and surgery would sort this out in extreme cases. The other test that is performed is done to check whether or not your acid reflux is psychological and in fact induced by your mind, rather than an automatic response caused by acid. It works by having a doctor insert a tube through one nostril and down the oesophagus. In any order, salt solution and acidic solution are poured down the tube. As you don't know which is which, if the salt is refluxed then the problem is mental, but if the acid is refluxed then you truly have acid reflux. This test has been found to not be 100% effective, and is now being replaced by the oesophageal pH test. Neither of these procedures sound pleasant, but don't self diagnose yourself. There are too many things that can go wrong; have peace of mind and have a doctor fully check you out - at least then you can be 100% sure of your health. You only get one body so it's a good idea to take care of it. You don't have to live with the agony of heartburn anymore. This nasty condition can be treated with a natural medicine for acid reflux that you can find online right now here -> RefluxNow.com
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