Breath Tests
Breath Testing for Digestive Disorders
Hydrogen breath testing is a simple and effective way to test for food intolerances and bacterial imbalances. Breath tests are completely non-invasive and can provide key insight into treatment to finally relieve ongoing digestive complaints.
Lactose Hydrogen Breath Test
Lactose intolerance is fairly common. However, patients often misdiagnose themselves with this disorder, creating a risk of poor nutrition by eliminating dairy unnecessarily. The lactose breath test can verify whether or not a patient’s digestive system produces enough enzymes to break down the sugar found in milk products. For this test, you will drink a glass of milk 3 hours prior to your office visit. You will breathe into the testing bag to collect a sample for immediate analysis. This is a 5 minute in office test.
Fructose Hydrogen Breath Test
Fructose malabsorption affects patients who are unable to adequately digest sugars commonly found in high quantities in most sweeteners, many fruits, and some vegetables. The test to diagnose fructose is a breath test like the one for lactose intolerance. Instead of drinking a glass of milk, you would drink a sweetened beverage 3 hours prior to your visit. You will breathe into the testing bag to collect a sample for immediate analysis. This is a 5 minute in office test.
Lactulose Hydrogen Breath Test
This test is used to diagnose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a condition that is often the underlying cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Dr. Berookim’s office is equipped with the highly sensitive testing device from Quintron which precisely measures the presence of gases such as hydrogen and methane in the breath. This is the most accurate machine available for determining SIBO, and is the device of choice for Cedars Sinai as well (where Dr. Berookim also has privileges). After drinking a beverage containing lactulose, you will blow into a testing bag every 15 minutes over a 2 hour period.
Urea Breath Test
The urea breath test identifies bacteria called H. pylori which can cause abdominal pain and ulcers and can increase the risk of stomach cancer. Intestinal infection with H. pylori causes the breakdown of urea (a compound created when protein is being digested) into carbon dioxide. You will take a urea tablet prior to the procedure. The test takes about 15 minutes and measures the carbon dioxide in the breath.
Schedule Your Breath
All of the tests above are performed at Dr. Berookim’s convenient Beverly Hills office. To schedule a consultation for this rapid diagnostic procedure, call 310-271-1122.