Women's Gastrointestinal Medicine
Women's Medicine Collaborative

Breath Tests

The Center for Women’s Gastrointestinal Medicine performs the lactose breath test and bacterial overgrowth test.

Lactose Breath Test

This noninvasive test identifies lactose intolerance. Detection of lactose maldigestion and malabsorption enables the health care provider to counsel the patient on how to alleviate chronic symptoms of bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

How to prepare for a lactose malabsorption test

Bacterial Overgrowth Test

The lactulose breath test is used to diagnose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), an abnormal amount and/or type of bacteria in the small intestine that can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Patients swallow a non-absorbable sugar solution and the level of hydrogen gas in their breath is measured over time. Abnormal gas levels result in a diagnosis of SIBO, which can then be treated.

How to prepare for a bacterial overgrowth test

Diabetic patients: how to prepare for a bacterial overgrowth test