Hydrogen breath tests are widely used to explore pathophysiology of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and carbohydrate malabsorption are disorders detected by these tests.
Glucose hydrogen breath test is more acceptable for diagnosis of SIBO whereas lactose and fructose hydrogen breath tests are used for detection of lactose and fructose maldigestion respectively. Lactulose hydrogen breath test is also used widely to measure the orocecal transit time for GI motility. These methods are noninvasive and inexpensive.
Patients with symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and altered bowel movements (diarrhea and constipation), or with a medical diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease, may have undiagnosed carbohydrate malabsorption or SIBO.
Preparation for Hydrogen Breath Testing-
- Patients should not take antibiotics for 4 weeks before the test.
- Patients are advised not to eat any slowly digested foods (such as beans and high-fiber cereals) for 24 h prior to the test and should take low fibre diet.
- They should not take any fiber supplements and laxatives 24 h before the test
- Patients should fast for 12 h before the procedure.
- Patients should not smoke and sleep 2 h before and during the test.
UREASE BREATH TEST : H.pylori bacteria is an important cause of stomach cancer & gastritis. The H. pylori breath test involves breathing into a balloon-like bag. It’s a safe and easy way to detect H. pylori bacteria, diagnosis H. pylori infection, and determine if treatment cured the infection. Four weeks before your test, do not take any antibiotics or oral bismuth subsalicylate. Two weeks before your test do not take any over-the-counter or prescription proton pump inhibitors. One hour before the test, do not eat or drink anything (including water).