Hydrogen & Methane Testing
 
Patients who suffer from abdominal bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome know the discomfort and embarrassment that these problems cause. Studies have found that in these patients, bacteria may have invaded the small bowel (where bacteria are not normally present) causing the unpleasant symptoms. When food is eaten, especially sugar or starch, and moves to the small bowel for digestion, the bacteria attack the sugars and give off hydrogen and methane gas, thus causing pain and bloating associated with these conditions.

Webster City Medical Clinic providers have introduced a new technology by Quintron called Breath Hydrogen and Methane Studies to detect this presence of the bacteria in the small bowel. The newly approved test detects abnormal gas levels through a series of consecutive breath tests following intake of a sugar based liquid. If hydrogen or methane gas is detected, confirming the presence of bacteria, providers are then able to prescribe a short term antibiotic treatment that kills the bacteria, thus alleviating the problems. This simple series of tests takes approximately 90 minutes and is a covered service by health plans.