What Causes Increased Intestinal Gas And Foul Odor In Stool?
It's hydrogen breath test.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for the query under health care magic.I appreciate your attentiveness toward the TV program about the test being performed for bowel pathogens..must be your connection with the health due to your profession! I would definitely try to inform you salient features about the specific test you mentioned...hope it would satisfy you.
It seems to be Hydrogen breath test.. It is a noninvasive & safe test used for detecting functional intestinal disorder by detecting, bacterial overgrowth in different parts of intestines / carbohydrate malabsoption- leading to excessive gas formation. Two type of gases can be detected by the test.. hydrogen & methane.
A base line fasting record of gases in breath are taken in fasting . A challenge dose of lactulose is there after given & Breath testing is done periodically till 5 hours of the dose. This gives information of bacterial growth( indicated by gas detection )in particular section of intestines & thereby guides to judge about functional disorder of the intestines.( H pylori in gastric level/ SIBO( Small intestinal bacterial over growth)- which follows damage of normal intestinal flora ( more possible after diarrhea Or prolonged antibiotic treatment for any other cause )
The site of overgrowth guides for knowing the type of bacteria affecting & selection of antibiotics .-& easy cure.
This in short explains utility of the test in patients of digestive problem like you have. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.