Do you also have frequent stomach problems? Then let's learn about this Hydrogen Breath Test!

Do you often get an upset stomach, a feeling of fullness or a stomach ache? Do you feel a stomachache when you eat certain foods, especially when you drink milk? Often, it is not easy to find the exact cause of such discomfort. At such times, your doctor may ask you to do this hydrogen breath test. This is actually a very simple, painless test. Let's talk about this in detail today, okay?

What is this Hydrogen Breath Test?

Simply put, it measures the amount of hydrogen gas in your breath when you exhale. This can help diagnose certain problems in your gut, such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and lactose intolerance. There are different types of this test, each of which looks at how well your body digests different types of sugar. With these results, your doctor can pinpoint the cause of your stomach problems, or rule out other causes.

What diseases can be detected with this test?

There are many reasons why the amount of hydrogen in our intestines can be abnormally high. But a doctor will ask you to do this test mainly when there are two main reasons for suspicion:

1. Inability to digest certain sugars: This is also called `(Carbohydrate malabsorption)`. For example, sugars like `(Lactose)`, `(Fructose)`, `(Sucrose)` or `(Sorbitol)` are difficult for some people to digest. Of these, `(Lactose intolerance )` is the most common. Imagine, some people feel full when they drink milk, and their stomach hurts, right? That's something like that.

2. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): This is when the bacteria that should be in our large intestine, which are supposed to help us, instead of staying there, migrate to the small intestine and overgrow there. Then they are not good to be there.

Now look, for someone who has `(IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome)` or a condition that causes frequent stomach upset, both of the above-mentioned factors could be the cause. Therefore, if you think you have `(IBS)`, you need to look into these things as well.

How does this hydrogen breath test work? It's amazing, isn't it?

Have you ever had gas in your stomach, felt like a balloon, felt pain as the gas moved around in your stomach, and had difficulty passing it? That gas is mostly hydrogen. If you're producing hydrogen in your body, there's only one reason: it's because anaerobic gut bacteria in your gut are breaking down the sugars and carbohydrates you eat. We call this process fermentation.

These bacteria are actually supposed to live in your large intestine (colon). There, they help with digestion. However, sugar and carbohydrates are not their main food.

In a healthy person's digestive system, the sugars and carbohydrates you eat are well digested before they reach the bacteria in your large intestine. But if they're not digested properly, those bacteria break them down and turn them into gas. That gas contains hydrogen.

Then, this hydrogen gas that's produced in your colon is absorbed into your blood, and that blood goes to your lungs. There, when you exhale, that hydrogen comes out. That's how your breath can tell you what's going on in your stomach. In a hydrogen breath test, you drink a certain type of sugar, and then they measure the amount of hydrogen in your breath at different times. Then, based on the amount of hydrogen and how quickly it's produced, the doctor can get a good idea of ​​how well your digestive system is working. Got it?

Do you measure other types of gases through breath?

Yes, sometimes other gases are measured as well.

• Methane: Because everyone's gut bacteria is slightly different, some people may have more methane gas than hydrogen in their breath. For this reason, many clinics now measure both hydrogen and methane at the same time. Both are measured in the same way. However, since the methane test is relatively new, it may not be as accurate as the hydrogen test.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2): Another type of breath test measures the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in your breath. An example is the H. pylori breath test. This is different from the hydrogen breath test because the test involves a different substance. While the hydrogen test looks at how well you digest sugar or carbohydrates, the carbon test gives you a liquid containing carbon particles to drink. Both tests are used to diagnose various gastrointestinal diseases.

Are there different types of this hydrogen breath test?

Yes, when you have this test, first a breath sample is taken, and then a specific type of sugar (for example, lactose, fructose, sucrose, sorbitol, glucose, or lactulose) is given to drink. Then, breath samples are taken every 15-30 minutes for several hours. The doctor will choose the type of sugar you are given to drink based on the condition you are experiencing.

• Lactose, fructose , sucrose, and sorbitol tests: These test your ability to digest each type of sugar. Each type of sugar is difficult for some people to digest for different reasons. Only one type of sugar is tested at a time. If the test results show high hydrogen levels, it means that that type of sugar is not digested properly in your intestines.
• Glucose Test: This is the main type of sugar used to diagnose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The reason is that glucose is usually absorbed very quickly in the small intestine. So, if anaerobic bacteria ferment glucose and produce hydrogen, it means that the bacteria are getting into the small intestine too much and digesting it before it can be absorbed.

How should you prepare before the test?

This is very important, right? Some foods, medications, and things you do can affect the results of this hydrogen breath test. So, to get the most accurate results from the test, you need to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

• A month ago: If you are taking antibiotics or probiotics, you should stop taking them because they can change the normal balance of bacteria in your gut.
• A week before: If you smoke, you will be told to stop. You will also need to stop taking laxatives, fiber supplements, antacids , and prokinetics.
• The day before: You can only eat low-fiber, easily digestible foods. The advice given on this may vary slightly. But most often it says to avoid oils and fats, sweets, spices, dairy products, and grains (except white bread and white rice). It is generally okay to eat fish or chicken that has been boiled or baked with salt and pepper.
• On the day of the test: You will be asked to fast for 12 hours. This means you cannot eat or drink anything. You will also be asked to avoid exercising or sleeping for a few hours before the test.

What should you expect during the test?

First, a sample of your breath is taken. You breathe into a breathalyzer machine. It's usually an inflatable bag with a tube attached. Then, you're given a sugary drink. After you drink it, your breath is taken every 15 to 30 minutes for the next few hours. You can watch TV or read a book while the sample is being taken. But it's not a good idea to do any strenuous activity during the test. You may also be asked to write down any stomach discomfort you feel after drinking the sugary drink - such as stomach cramps , bloating, or gas.

Are there any risks or side effects from this test?

Actually, the Hydrogen Breath Test is not a noninvasive test. That means it doesn't carry much risk. However, it does try to find the cause of your digestive problems by slightly inducing them. So, after drinking that sugary liquid, you may experience some stomach discomfort. Simply put, the symptoms you went to see a doctor for – bloating, stomach pain, and possibly even gas – may be felt during the test. That's to be expected.

But don't worry! Once you find the exact cause of your illness and start the right treatment, your discomfort will be greatly reduced.

How do I understand my test results?

Hydrogen levels in your breath are measured in parts-per-million (ppm). A healthy person's normal hydrogen level is less than 16 ppm. If your initial level is higher than 16 ppm on the day of the test, you may be asked to follow the same diet as before the test and take the test on another day.

• When testing for carbohydrate malabsorption: If the hydrogen level increases by 20 ppm or more above the initial level, it is considered a positive test.
• When testing for SIBO: The hydrogen level should increase by `20 ppm` above the initial level within 90 minutes. This is because the hydrogen is then being fermented in the small intestine, not the large intestine.

How accurate are the results of this hydrogen breath test? Are they reliable?

There are a few small complications that can affect the results of this test. Remember, if you don't follow the instructions exactly before the test – for example, if you take antibiotics or laxatives, or if you don't fast properly – your test results may not be accurate. Also, there are some people (say, between 15% and 30%) whose gut bacteria produce more methane than hydrogen. If you are one of them, that can also affect the results.

However, if you get a positive result from the hydrogen breath test, you can be sure that the hydrogen is produced because the sugar given for the test is not being digested properly. Tests that look for problems digesting specific sugars and the glucose test that looks for SIBO are much more reliable in diagnosing these conditions.

Sometimes, these conditions alone may not explain all of your symptoms. Or, even after treating those conditions, your symptoms may not completely improve. If that's the case, you may need to have further tests to look for other causes, or you may need to try other dietary measures or treatments.

Finally, the most important thing

These symptoms of intestinal problems are not good at all. This discomfort caused by gas and digestive problems can interfere with your daily life. It can also prevent your body from getting the nutrients it needs. There can be many causes for these symptoms. But most of the time, they are relatively easy to identify and treat. Even a little information can go a long way on the road to recovery. One of the easiest ways to get such information is through a hydrogen breath test. Therefore, if you have this problem, it is worth talking to a doctor and learning more about it.

`Hydrogen Breath Test, Stomach Aches, SIBO, Lactose Intolerance, Digestive Problems, Breath Test, Gut Bacteria