This simple, non-invasive test detects bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, a common condition that often underlies chronic symptoms of maldigestion and malabsorption, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, irregularity, and abdominal pain.

Bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine is a serious digestive disorder that can inhibit nutrient absorption and lead to many health problems. Although widespread, it is frequently unsuspected in cases of chronic bowel problems and carbohydrate intolerance because its symptoms often mimic other disorders. Often this condition is associated with reduced intestinal motility-a slower transit of foodstuffs through the bowels caused by fiber inadequacy or digestive imbalances.

The Bacterial Overgrowth Breath Testby Genova Diagnostics is appropriate for patients who have unexplained abdominal symptoms, cannot tolerate sweet or starchy foods, fiber, or friendly flora supplements. This test is also important for differentiating the cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder, affecting about 20% of the general population. Studies suggest that as many as 50% to 75% of patients with IBS have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth as demonstrated by hydrogen breath testing.

This safe, non-invasive test measures both hydrogen and methane produced by bacteria in the small intestine. Higher levels of these gases in the breath indicate increased bacterialgrowth. Simple and easy-to-perform, hydrogen breath testing offers greater reproducibility and a more comprehensive assessment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth than even a direct tissue culture. By measuring methane gas as well, this test provides enhanced clinical significance, detecting patients with an overgrowth of methane-producing bacteria whose breath may not contain high levels of hydrogen. Once bacterial overgrowth has been detected, intervention strategies involving diet, digestive support, probiotics, and anti-microbials (pharmaceutical or herbal) can be used to treat the condition.

Successful eradication of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine has been shown to reduce bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in patients more effectively than many other treatments for IBS.

Because bacterial overgrowth may sometimes manifest silently without any overt clinical signs, even patients without clear symptoms of gastro-intestinal distress may benefit from testing. Without proper detection and treatment, unsuspected overgrowth can gradually lead to systemic disorders such as altered intestinal permeability ("leaky gut"), anemia and weight loss, progressive bone thinning, poor digestive function, bacterial translocation (causing immune dysfunction and toxic overload), and malnutrition.

All lab tests can be done through the mail in the privacy of your own home, except blood tests, we send you to a lab to have your blood drawn for these. After you pay for the test we mail you the kit, the results take two weeks, the test results will be mailed to us and we will call you to go over the results, its that easy! All tests include the consultation for the report of findings.

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Call our office for details. 800-956-7083 OR 818-707-3126.