Helicobacter pylori (HELL-uh-koh-BAK-tur py-LOH-ree) is a spiral shaped bacterium that lives in the stomach. It has a unique way of adapting to the harsh, acidic environment. Since its discovery back in 1983, it has been studied rather extensively and believed by many in the allopathic medical community to play an important role in the development of gastritis and peptic ulcers.
Why is a breath test conducted
A breath test is used to determine if the h-pylori bacteria currenlty resides in the patients stomach, if so, they can be put on antibiotics to clear up the bacteria. The test is also done to document that the infection has been treated or cleared after treatment.
Preparation for the test
In order to perform the test the patient must meet the following requirements:
- The patient should have no food or drink for at least 1 hour before the test.
- The patient should have not taken antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors or bismuth preparations (Pepto Bismol) in the last two weeks.
- The patient does not have PKU or is not on a phenylalanine restrictive diet.
How much does the breathe test work
We collect a baseline breath sample by having the patient inhale, hold their breath for 4-5 seconds, and then exhale into a bag specific to the H-Pylori test. The patient will then drink a solution, wait 15 minutes, and then have a second breath sample taken. We will usually receive results from the lab within a few days.
