Breath Testing Specialist
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John Vizuete, MD, MPH
Gastroenterologist located in San Antonio, TX
If you’re having gastrointestinal issues, breath tests can significantly help to narrow down their causes. John Vizuete, MD, MPH, in San Antonio, offers comprehensive breath tests to track fructose, sucrose, and lactose intolerance, as well as bacterial overgrowths and H. pylori infection. Find out more about the uses of breath tests by scheduling an appointment over the phone or through the online booking tool today.
Breath Testing
What is a breath test?
A breath test is an effective diagnostic tool that Dr. Vizuete uses to determine if a condition or disease is affecting your intestinal tract. Dr. Vizuete studies the gases in your breath to ascertain which treatment would best meet your needs.
What are the different types of breath tests?
The most common types of breath tests include:
Lactose intolerance breath test
Dr. Vizuete has you drink a lactose-heavy beverage. He then measures the amount of hydrogen in your breath by analyzing it at regular intervals.
If you're lactose intolerant, you won’t be able to digest the lactose in milk and bacteria will ferment the lactose, causing the production of hydrogen.
Sucrose hydrogen breath test
You first start by blowing into glass tubes through a straw to capture your breath. Dr. Vizuete then gives you a combination of sugar and water to drink. He then has you blow into different tubes to capture what happens to your digestive system when it interacts with sucrose.
Fructose intolerance breath test
A fructose intolerance breath test helps Dr. Vizuete determine if your body can digest fructose. The test functions similarly to a lactose test, except that the liquid you drink is high in fructose.
The amount of hydrogen found in your breath after ingestion determines if your body can digest fructose.
Bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SIBO)
Bacterial overgrowth can often take place in the small intestine and lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea, and cramping. Dr. Vizuete uses breath tests to diagnose SIBO. He gives you a sugar solution and asks you to breathe into a Breathalyzer®.
If bacteria are fermenting inside your small intestine, they will surface in your breath.
Helicobacter pylori breath test
Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria in the lining of the stomach that can lead to chronic inflammation.
Dr. Vizuete asks you to breathe normally through a nasal breathing cannula. Once Dr. Vizuete has collected a baseline sample of your breath, he gives you a solution to drink. If you have H. pylori in your system, your body will release CO2 into your bloodstream and out through your lungs.
How should I prepare for a breath test?
Before starting your breath test, Dr. Vizuete gives you a series of dietary changes to make in the week leading up to the exam. You will also be asked to fast for 12 hours before the test, consuming no food except water.
If you’d like to test your intolerance to various substances or check for bacterial overgrowth, schedule an appointment today by phone or online.
