UREA BREATH TEST

SYMPTOMS

The urea breath test has no risk, complications, and side effects. You won’t be required to stop your medications, such as proton pump inhibitors before the procedure happens. 

TREATMENT

Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how you can prepare for this test. 

During the breath test, you will ingest a capsule that carries urea, which is created from an isotope of carbon. These isotopes happen in microscale quantities in nature and can be estimated with specialized testing devices. If H. pylori exists in the abdomen, the area is restrained and becomes carbon dioxide. 

The carbon dioxide soaks up over the lining of the abdomen and within the blood. It then moves in the blood through the lungs where it is eliminated in the urea breath. 

How do you prepare for a test?

To prepare for the test, follow these instructions:

• Talk to your doctor if you have a heart or lung problem, pregnant or any other illness, or if you have an allergy to any medication.
• Do not take unrecommended medications for at least  4 weeks before the test.
• Take only the approved medication your doctor instructed you to take the day of the test
• Take them with a small amount of water. 
• Consult your doctor before deciding to take any medications.
• Do not eat or drink anything (including water) for four hours before the procedure.

How does the urea breath test diagnose H. pylori?

The urea breath test is based on the capacity of H. pylori to pull down urea, a substance consisting of carbon and nitrogen within carbon dioxide, which then soak up from the abdomen and remove it in the breath. 

How are the results of the breath test explained?

If the urea breath test result is positive and the isotope in carbon is discovered in the breath, that means the H.pylori exists in the abdomen. If the isotope is not detected in the breath, the results for infection are negative.