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Hydrogen Breath Test Center - San Luis Obispo, CA

San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo *

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Phillip M Colbert
77 Casa St
STE 108
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 541-6080

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Steven W Carlson
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Gary L Cushing
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Jeffrey B Mundorf
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Vance D Rodgers
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Stanford Liver Clinic
Aijaz Ahmed
1310 Las Tablas Rd
STE 204
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-3458

Central Coast Gastroenterology
Jonathan L Riegler
1255 Las Tablas Rd
STE STE 201
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2434

Central Coast Gastroenterology
Paul D Wetzel
1255 Las Tablas Rd
STE STE 201
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2434

Central Coast Gastroenterology
Daniel C Zovich
1255 Las Tablas Rd
STE STE 201
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2434

Benipal & Feldman MDs
Paramjit Benipal
116 S Palisade Dr
STE 210
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 347-7355

Bruce F Mize MD Inc
Paul Guarino
116 S Palisade Dr
STE 306
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 614-9880

Atul B Vachhani MD
Thomas P Hsia
525 E Plaza Dr
STE 307
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-6581

Bruce F Mize MD Inc
Bruce F Mize
116 S Palisade Dr
STE 306
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 614-9880

Atul B Vachhani MD
Atul B Vachhani
525 E Plaza Dr
STE 307
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-6581

GI Consultants
Thomas V Aguirre
2403 Castillo St
STE 201
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-3585

GI Consultants
Edward S Bentley
2403 Castillo St
STE 201
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-3585

Sansum Clinic
Vincent P Derosa
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
James V Egan
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
William V Hahn
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
John D Hobson
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Digestive Disease Consultants
William E Karnes
221 W Pueblo St
STE STE B
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-0024

Sansum Clinic
John L Petrini
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Digestive Disease Consultants
Gary M VanDeventer
221 W Pueblo St
STE STE B
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-0024

Alvin Y Au MD
Alvin Y Au
1360 Bailey Dr
Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 584-6499

San Luis Obispo, California

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-23
Santa Maria Tri-the-Bull Triathlon
Santa Maria, California
2012-06-23
7th Annual Mary Gibbs Fun Run
San Luis Obispo, California
2012-06-25
Scott Tinley Triathlon Training with PTS
San Luis Obispo, California
2012-07-21
Windmill Century Bike Ride 2012
Santa Maria, California
2012-09-22
2012-10-06
2012-10-06
Central Coast Classique
Arroyo Grande, California
2012-10-20
SLO GranFondo 2012
San Luis Obispo, California

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 San Luis Obispo

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby San Luis Obispo Hospitals *

Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
1010 Murray Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805)546-7600

French Hospital Medical Center
1911 Johnson Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)543-5353

Atascadero State Hospital
10333 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA 93422
(805)468-2000

Arroyo Grande Community Hospital
345 S Halcyon Rd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805)489-4261

Twin Cities Community Hospital
1100 Las Tablas Rd
Templeton, CA 93465
(805)434-3500

Marian Medical Center
1400 E Church St
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805)739-3000

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