Don't worry if you've been recommended a urea breath test by your doctor.The test will check for the presence of H. pyloribacteria in your gut.Some types of gastrointestinal distress may be caused by this bacterium.Talk to your doctor about stopping certain things before your exam.The exam requires you to take a pill and breathe into a straw.Wait for the results while following your doctor's treatment plan after taking the test.
Step 1: You should talk to your doctor.
You can make the appointment at your doctor's office or a medical testing center.Let your doctor know if you have any symptoms that you think are related to the drugs you're taking.Stomach pain, nausea, and frequent burping are some of the symptoms of H. pylori.Do you know if you are phenylketonuric?You may not be able to take the test if you are.An alternate test may be recommended by your doctor.
Step 2: Do not take any medications.
You may need to stop taking your medication up to four weeks before the test.Before stopping any prescription or over-the-counter medication, talk to your doctor.Two to four weeks before the test is a good time to stop taking antibiotics.Prilosec and Nexium should be stopped two weeks before the test.Six or more hours before the exam, you may be asked to stop taking H-2 blockers.Talk to your doctor.
Step 3: It is fast before the test.
It is important to fast for an hour before the test because food and liquids can affect the results.Don't drink or eat water.Fasting for six hours or overnight may be recommended by your doctor.Your doctor should give you the right amount of time to fast.It's okay for you to brush your teeth if you don't drink any fluids or use any toothpaste.Smoking should be avoided during this time.
Step 4: Go to your doctor's office.
You can come to the medical testing center on the day of the test.You should have a list of your medications with you.Let the doctor know if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Step 5: Take the pill or drink.
A pill or drink with urea will be given to you by your doctor.You can either drink it or swallow it.Your doctor will tell you to wait for the substance to spread.The waiting period is usually between fifteen and thirty minutes.
Step 6: Take a breath in the straw.
There is a special straw that you will blow into.A bag or tube will be used to collect your breath.The doctor or technician can give you directions.You are done once you've finished.
Step 7: Wait for the test results to come in.
About two days after you take the exam, you will get your test results.The breath samples were sent to a lab.Continue to follow your doctor's instructions during this time.If the test comes back positive, it means you have H. pylori.Follow up treatment can be seen at your doctor's office.If your test comes back negative, it means H. pylori wasn't found.Return to the doctor.They can give you other tests to find out what is causing your symptoms.
Step 8: If necessary, get other tests done.
Your doctor may want to do other tests to see if your symptoms are related to another condition.Other tests that are done are blood and stool tests.If you have had H. pylori before, blood tests can only be done.You will always be positive after you have been bitten.If you clear the infection with antibiotics, the breath test will show.You may need an endoscopy if your doctor suspects that you have ulcers.This is a procedure in which a tube is inserted into your body.The doctor can take a sample to test for H. pylori.
Step 9: Follow your doctor's treatment plan.
If you have a H. pylori infection, your doctor may recommend antibiotics.A medication may be prescribed to reduce stomach acid.Prilosec, Nexium, or Prevacid may be included in these medications.A H-2 blocker is similar to Tagamet.The brand name isPepto-Bismol.
Step 10: Four weeks after treatment, get retested.
Your doctor may recommend retesting after you've finished treatment.The test will check to see if you have gotten rid of the disease.After you finish treatment, you can take the test again.