The Gastric Analysis test is one of our favorites here at The Ash Center. It’s also the most comprehensive and scientific way to assess stomach acid, a key component in many of our diagnoses. Too much (hyperchlorhydria) or too little (hypochlorhydria) can both cause acid-reflux-like symptoms (bloating, belching, severe discomfort in the esophagus, etc.). Unfortunately most people treat the symptoms with over-the-counter antacids without knowing the root cause, with the result that they’re very often making the situation worse rather than better. You’d be surprised at how many people have been self-medicating incorrectly for years and wondering why they weren’t getting better. Knowing the actual acid content of the stomach helps us treat the cause rather than the symptom.

The test itself involves swallowing a small metal transmitter pill, which measures the acidity of the stomach and relays the information back to a computer screen. You then drink a half cup of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda, which is alkaline) and we check to see how hard it is for your stomach to re-acidify itself. Depending on the result, we prescribe appropriate supplements and enzymes to correct the digestive functions and kick acid reflux in the, well, stomach.