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What Does A Positive Hydrogen Breath Test Report Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 31 Oct 2017
Question: I have tested positive for a Hydrogen Breath test and will be taking an antibiotic. What is the effect of having a positive reaction to the test?

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Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hydrogen breath test

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic,

Hydrogen breath test is used to confirm two conditions: Lactose intolerance and Small Intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Since antibiotics have been prescribed, the likely diagnosis in your case is SIBO.

Small intestine usually contains a limited number of bacteria. However, in some people bacteria can overgrow leading to malabsorption, flatulence, nausea, weight loss etc.

SIBO occurs in cases where intestinal motility is reduced as in scleroderma, Crohn's disease patients who take certain medications, prior intestinal surgery etc.

Management is with antibiotics.
You can also take Probiotic rich food like Yogurt, Kimchi etc to re-establish normal intestinal bacterial flora.

Hope this answers your questions
Please let me know if you need further clarifications,

Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3808 Questions

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What Does A Positive Hydrogen Breath Test Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: Hydrogen breath test Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic, Hydrogen breath test is used to confirm two conditions: Lactose intolerance and Small Intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Since antibiotics have been prescribed, the likely diagnosis in your case is SIBO. Small intestine usually contains a limited number of bacteria. However, in some people bacteria can overgrow leading to malabsorption, flatulence, nausea, weight loss etc. SIBO occurs in cases where intestinal motility is reduced as in scleroderma, Crohn's disease patients who take certain medications, prior intestinal surgery etc. Management is with antibiotics. You can also take Probiotic rich food like Yogurt, Kimchi etc to re-establish normal intestinal bacterial flora. Hope this answers your questions Please let me know if you need further clarifications, Regards Dr.Lekshmi