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Hydrogen Breath Test Center - Lake Charles, LA

Lake Charles Gastroenterologist Doctors for Hydrogen Breath Test

Type of Physician: Gastroenterologist

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Common Name: GI Doctor

Gastroenterologist Doctors in Lake Charles *

Gastroenterology Associates of SW Louisiana
Francis Bride
555 S Ryan St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 439-0762

Gastroenterology Associates of SW Louisiana
Ricardo M McCall
555 S Ryan St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 439-0762

Gastroenterology Associates of SW Louisiana
Robin Rougeau
555 S Ryan St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 439-0762

Digestive Health Center
Frank Marrero
2770 3rd Avenue
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 494-4785

Carl Scott Boagni MD
Carl Scott Boagni
331 S Main St
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 942-7155

Acadiana Gastroenterology Associates
James C Bienvenu
601 W Saint Mary Blvd
STE STE 500
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 269-0963

Acadiana Gastroenterology Associates
Richard K Broussard
601 W Saint Mary Blvd
STE STE 500
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 269-0963

Acadiana Gastroenterology Associates
J Patrick Herrington
601 W Saint Mary Blvd
STE STE 500
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 269-0963

Jacque F Noel III MD & Stella Noel MD
Jacque F Noel
601 W St Mary Blvd
STE STE 506
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 235-9779

Acadiana Gastroenterology Associates
Stephen M Person
601 W Saint Mary Blvd
STE STE 500
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 269-0963

Eugene T Stueben MD
Eugene T Stueben
601 W Saint Mary Blvd
STE 310
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 235-7824

Earl Washington Jr. MD
Earl Washington
501 W St Mary Blvd
STE 410
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 232-6280

Gastroenterology Clinic of Acadiana Ltd
Stephen G Abshire
1211 Coolidge St
STE 303
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 232-6697

Gastroenterology Clinic of Acadiana Ltd
James N Arterburn
1211 Coolidge St
STE 303
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 232-6697

Freedman Clinic
Harishwar Agarwal
1337 Centre Ct
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 445-9331

Freedman Clinic
Maury Morrison
1337 Centre Ct
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 445-9331

Alexandria Gastroenterology
Joseph Hollier
301 4th St
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 473-8188

Alexandria Gastroenterology
John Kirkikis
301 4th St
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 473-8188

Alexandria Gastroenterology
William Lyles
301 4th St
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 473-8188

Luis E Alvarez MD
Luis E Alvarez
1100 Andre St
STE 301
New Iberia, LA 70563
(337) 364-9225

Lake Charles, Louisiana

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Hydrogen Breath Test

What is the hydrogen breath test?

The hydrogen breath test is a test that uses the measurement of hydrogen in the breath to diagnose several conditions that cause gastrointestinal symptoms. In humans, only bacteria - specifically, anaerobic bacteria in the colon - are capable of producing hydrogen. The bacteria produce hydrogen when they are exposed to unabsorbed food, particularly sugars and carbohydrates, not proteins or fats. Although limited hydrogen is produced from the small amounts of unabsorbed food that normally reach the colon, large amounts of hydrogen may be produced when there is a problem with the digestion or absorption of food in the small intestine, that allows more unabsorbed food to reach the colon.

Large amounts of hydrogen also may be produced when the colon bacteria move back into the small intestine, a condition called bacterial overgrowth of the small bowel. In this latter instance, the bacteria are exposed to unabsorbed food that has not had a chance to completely traverse the small intestine to be fully digested and absorbed. Some of the hydrogen produced by the bacteria, whether in the small intestine or the colon, is absorbed into the blood flowing through the wall of the small intestine and colon. The hydrogen-containing blood travels to the lungs where the hydrogen is released and exhaled in the breath where it can be measured.

When is hydrogen breath testing used?

Hydrogen breath testing is used in the diagnosis of three conditions.

  • The first is a condition in which dietary sugars are not digested normally. The most common sugar that is poorly digested is lactose, the sugar in milk. Individuals who are unable to properly digest lactose are referred to as lactose intolerant. Testing also may be used to diagnose problems with the digestion of other sugars such as sucrose, fructose and sorbitol.
  • ...

Recommended Reading Related to Hydrogen Breath Test

Celiac Disease »

Celiac disease facts

  • Celiac disease is a chronic digestive disorder in which damage to the lining of the small intestine leads to the malabsorption of minerals and nutrients.

  • The destruction of the inner lining of the small intestine in celiac disease is caused by an immunological (allergic) reaction to gluten.

  • Gluten is a family of proteins present in wheat, barley, rye, and sometimes oats.

  • Individuals with celiac disease may develop diarrhea, steatorrhea, weight loss, flatulence, iron deficiency anemia, abnormal bleeding, or weakened bones. However, many adults with celiac disease may have either no symptoms or only vague abdominal discomfort such as bloating, abdominal distension, and excess gas.

  • Children with celiac disease may have stunted growth, and if untreated, childhood celiac disease can result in short stature as an adult.
    ...

Emergency Contact for Lake Charles

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Lake Charles Hospitals *

CHRISTUS St Patrick Hospital
524 S Ryan St
Lake Charles, LA 70602
(337)436-2511

Dubuis Hospital Lake Charles
524 S Ryan St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337)491-7752

Extended Care of Southwest Louisiana
2837 Ernest St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337)436-6111

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
1701 Oak Park Blvd
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337)494-3000

Walter Olin Moss Regional Medical Center
1000 Walters St
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337)475-8100

Women & Children's Hospital
4200 Nelson Rd
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337)474-6370

Cornerstone Hospital of Southwest Louisiana
703 Cypress St
Sulphur, LA 70663
(337)527-1102

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital
701 E Cypress St
Sulphur, LA 70663
(337)527-7034

Dequincy Memorial Hospital
110 W 4th St
Dequincy, LA 70633
(337)786-1200

Allen Parish Hospital
108 6th Ave
Kinder, LA 70648
(337)738-2527

Jennings American Legion Hospital
1634 Elton Rd
Jennings, LA 70546
(337)616-7000

Acadia Rehabilitation Hospital
1 Hospital Dr
Jennings, LA 70546
(337)821-5353

Harbor Hospital of Southeast Texas
608 Strickland Dr
Orange, TX 77630
(409)882-7200

Memorial Hermann Baptist Orange Hospital
608 Strickland Dr
Orange, TX 77630
(409)883-9361

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