What does OTT mean in HEALTHCARE

An oesophageal transit test is a diagnostic procedure used to measure the time it takes food or liquid to travel through the esophagus and stomach. It is used to uncover any blockages in the digestive tract that could be causing difficulty with swallowing.

People who are experiencing difficulty swallowing may require an oesophageal transit test in order to detect any underlying blockages or obstructions in their digestive tract. It can also be used to diagnose conditions like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), dysmotility, achalasia, and certain cancers.

An oesophageal transit test typically involves ingesting a small amount of food or liquid which contains a special tracer material that allows it to be tracked as it travels through your digestive system. Then, using x-rays or other imaging techniques, your doctor can see how long it takes for the tracer material to move from your mouth all the way down into your stomach.

The risks associated with this procedure are usually minimal as usually no invasive methods are required for its completion. As there may be some risk involved with exposure to radiation during imaging tests done alongside this procedure, make sure you discuss this further with your doctor before beginning testing.

Generally speaking, sedation is not required for this type of procedure as it's often completed within minutes and you can simply swallow after ingesting the tracer material. However, if you experience significant difficulty while swallowing then anesthesia may be necessary when performing this type of diagnostic testing.