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Hydrogen Breath Test Center - Spokane, WA

Spokane 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 Spokane *

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Arnold N Cohen
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Inland Empire Gastroenterology
James T Doyle
105 W 8th Ave
STE 6050
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 747-0143

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Robert Durnford
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Inland Empire Gastroenterology
Joseph D Fitterer
105 W 8th Ave
STE 6050
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 747-0143

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
James Goff
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Steven E Goodell
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Steven W Hong
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Karl Houglum
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Michael F Kestell
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
David M Maccini
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Rockwood Clinic Gastroenterology
Zdenek Bocek
400 E. 5th Ave
STE 2N
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 838-2531

Rockwood Clinic Gastroenterology
Philip C Delich
400 E. 5th Ave
STE 2N
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 838-2531

Rockwood Clinic Gastroenterology
Andrew Feld
400 E. 5th Ave
STE 2N
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 838-2531

Rockwood Clinic Gastroenterology
Harold Preiksaitis
400 E. 5th Ave
STE 2N
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 838-2531

Klaus Gottlieb MD PLLC
Klaus Gottlieb
12128 N Division St
STE PMB164
Spokane, WA 99218
(509) 455-3453

Valley Gastroenterology
Paul M Craig
12401 E Sinto Ave
Spokane, WA 99216
(509) 922-2055

Valley Gastroenterology
Clinton S Poppel
12401 E Sinto Ave
Spokane, WA 99216
(509) 922-2055

Palouse Medical Associates
Lloyd E Perino
825 SE Bishop Blvd
STE STE 200
Pullman, WA 99163
(509) 332-2517

Spokane, Washington

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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

Diarrhea »

Diarrhea facts

  • Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, an increase in the looseness of stool or both.
  • Diarrhea is caused by increased secretion of fluid into the intestine, reduced absorption of fluid from the intestine or rapid passage of stool through the intestine.
  • Diarrhea can be defined absolutely or relatively. Absolute diarrhea is defined as more than five bowel movements a day or liquid stools. Relative diarrhea is defined as an increase in the number of bowel movements per day or an increase in the looseness of stools compared with an individual's usual bowel habit.
  • Diarrhea may be either acute or chronic, and each has different causes and treatments.
  • Complications of diarrhea include dehydration, electrolytes (mineral) abnormalities, and irritation of the anus.
  • Dehydration can be treated with oral ...

Emergency Contact for Spokane

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Spokane Hospitals *

Sacred Heart Medical Center
101 W 8th Ave
Spokane, WA 99204
(509)474-3131

St Lukes Rehabilitation Institute
711 S Cowley St
Spokane, WA 99202
(509)838-4771

Deaconess Medical Center
800 W Fifth Ave
Spokane, WA 99204
(509)458-5800

Shriners Hospital Spokane
911 W 5th Ave
Spokane, WA 99204
(509)455-7844

Holy Family Hospital
5633 N Lidgerwood St
Spokane, WA 99208
(509)482-0111

Spokane VA Medical Center
4815 N Assembly St
Spokane, WA 99205
(509)434-7000

Valley Hospital & Medical Center
12606 E Mission Ave
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
(509)924-6650

Eastern State Hospital
850 Maple St
Medical Lake, WA 99022
(509)299-3121

Kootenai Medical Center
2003 Lincoln Way
Coeur D Alene, ID 83814
(208)666-2000

Lincoln Hospital
10 Nichols St
Davenport, WA 99122
(509)725-7101

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