How can I find out if acid reflux is the reason for my symptoms?

• Esophagoscopy - fiberoptic tube to look directly at the lining of your swallowing tube and stomach
• Barium swallow test - an xray to look at the lining of the swallowing tube - esophagus
• 24-hour pH monitoring - pH goes down in the swallowing tube (esophagus) if acid is escaping from the stomach into it
• Esophageal manometry - testing the squeezing power of the lower esophageal sphincter
• Gastric emptying studies - to see how quickly foodstuffs pass through

1. What is acid reflux? What is heartburn? What is GERD? What isgastroesophageal reflux? What is dyspepsia? What is PUD -- peptic ulcer disease? What is duodenitits?
2. What does acid reflux feel like?
3. How can you get acid reflux?
4. How can I find out if acid reflux is the reason for my symptoms?
5. Is acid reflux contagious?
6. How can I treat acid reflux?
7. Can surgery help acid reflux?