• What is a stool acidity test?
• What is lactose intolerance and how does testing for this condition differ in adults?
• How does the stool acidity test work?

What is a stool acidity test?

The stool acidity test is a method of detecting lactose intolerance in children.

What is lactose intolerance and how does testing for this condition differ in adults?

The inability to digest the sugar lactose in the diet is referred to as lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance in adults can be detected by using the lactose tolerance test or the hydrogen breath test. The lactose tolerance and hydrogen breath tests are not given to infants and very young children who are suspected of having lactose intolerance. Instead, the stool acidity test is used.

The large lactose doses that are used in the lactose tolerance and hydrogen breath tests may be dangerous because infants and children are more prone than adults to dehydration from the diarrhea sometimes caused by the lactose. Thus, as mentioned, the stool acidity test is preferred in infants and younger children.

How does the stool acidity test work?

Bacteria in the colon produce not only hydrogen gas from lactose but also lactic and other acids that can be detected in stool. The stool acidity test measures the acidity of a sample of stool following the ingestion of a small dose of lactose. In addition, glucose may be present in the stool sample as a result of unabsorbed lactose in the colon.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Abdominal Pain - Learn about abdominal pain (pain in the stomach / abdomen) including causes, symptoms, how abdominal pain is diagnosed, and how abdominal pain is treated. Source:MedicineNet Crohn's Disease - Learn about Crohn's Disease and the causes, symptoms (including abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, rectal bleeding, and more) and treatment of this chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. Source:MedicineNet Celiac Disease - Learn about celiac disease (sprue) symptoms such as diarrhea, foul smelling flatulence (gas), abdominal pain, fatty stools, weight loss, anemia, easy bruising, and more. Celiac disease is an immunological (allergic) reaction within the inner lining of the small intestine. Source:MedicineNet Read 12 more Stool Acidity Test related articles ... So Much to Do, So Little Sleep Head Injuries All Too Common in Summer Play Health Tip: The Word on Wisdom Teeth Health Tip: Make Exercise a Daily Habit New Source of Heart Stem Cells Found Health Highlights: June 23, 2008 Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis One Gene May Be Key to Myeloma Crocodile Babies Cry Out for Hatching Immune Molecule Key to Preventing Organ Rejection