MedicineNet

Hydrogen Breath Test Center - Nampa, ID

Nampa 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 Nampa *

Treasure Valley Gastroenterology Specialists
Raquel Croitoru
222 W Iowa Ave
STE STE A
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 467-3432

St Luke's Gastroenterology
Mark Lloyd
2235 E Gala St
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 887-3724

St Luke's Gastroenterology
John T Witte
2235 E Gala St
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 887-3724

St Luke's Gastroenterology
Judith Woods
2235 E Gala St
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 887-3724

Digestive Health Clinic
Nic R Cordum
6259 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 489-1900

Digestive Health Clinic
Robb F Gibson
6259 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 489-1900

Digestive Health Clinic
Samuel S Gibson
6259 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 489-1900

Digestive Health Clinic
Christopher Goulet
6259 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 489-1900

Digestive Health Clinic
Mark A Mallory
6259 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 489-1900

Digestive Health Clinic
Stephen M Schutz
6259 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 489-1900

Digestive Health Clinic
Ike D Tanabe
6259 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 489-1900

Idaho Gastroenterology Associates
Ellen B Hunter
425 W Bannock St
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 343-6458

Idaho Gastroenterology Associates
Philip Jensen
425 W Bannock St
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 343-6458

Idaho Gastroenterology Associates
Richard Uhlmann
425 W Bannock St
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 343-6458

Idaho Gastroenterology Associates
Bonnie K Waite
425 W Bannock St
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 343-6458

Idaho Gastroenterology Associates
David Wood
425 W Bannock St
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 343-6458

Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Paul H Baehr
500 W Fort St
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 422-1000

Nampa, Idaho

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Meridian
Throughout Meridian, Idaho
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Boise
Throughout Boise, Idaho
2012-07-28
2012-10-06
2012-11-11
2012-11-11
2012-11-11

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 Nampa

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Nampa Hospitals *

Mercy Medical Center
1512 12th Ave Rd
Nampa, ID 83686
(208)467-1171

West Valley Medical Center
1717 Arlington Ave
Caldwell, ID 83605
(208)459-4641

St Luke's Meridian Medical Center
520 S Eagle Rd
Meridian, ID 83642
(208)706-5000

Treasure Valley Hospital
8800 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208)373-5000

Sunhealth Behavioral Health System for Boise
8050 Northview St
Boise, ID 83704
(208)327-0504

Intermountain Hospital
303 N Allumbaugh St
Boise, ID 83704
(208)377-8400

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
1055 N Curtis Rd
Boise, ID 83706
(208)367-2121

Boise VA Medical Center
500 W Fort St
Boise, ID 83702
(208)422-1000

Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital
600 N Robbins Rd
Boise, ID 83702
(208)489-4444

St Luke's Regional Medical Center
190 E Bannock St
Boise, ID 83712
(208)381-2222

Walter Knox Memorial Hospital
1202 E Locust St
Emmett, ID 83617
(208)365-3561

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.