What Happens During a Breath Test?

You will be asked to drink a lactose-containing beverage, which may cause cramping, bloating, gas or diarrhea. Fifteen minutes after drinking the beverage, you will blow into balloon-like bags every 15 minutes for two hours. The air you breathe into these bags is tested for the presence of hydrogen.

How is a breath test performed?

During the test, you will breathe normally through a nasal breathing cannula. You will be instructed not to eat or drink one hour before the test. You will be connected to a nasal breath cannula attached to a Breath Analyzer. After measuring a baseline sample, you will be given a 5 ounce solution to drink.

What does a breath test diagnose?

Breath testing is used to detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) by measuring hydrogen and methane produced by intestinal bacteria.