Understanding hydrogen and methane breath tests for SIBO and IMO: 6 Frequently Asked Questions

The North American Consensus on Breath Testing recommends using a hydrogen and methane breath test to detect Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), abnormal growth of bacteria in a patient’s small intestine, and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), excessive levels of methane in a patient’s intestinal tract. Both SIBO and IMO can cause various symptoms in patients,…

How should hydrogen-methane breath tests be used in clinical care?

Hydrogen-methane breath testing is valuable in clinical care for diagnosing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and guiding treatment decisions. A recent paper by Tansel and Levinthal in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology provides insights into the practical application of breath testing in real-world clinical scenarios, offering valuable information for gastroenterologists, dietitians, nutritionists, and other allied health…

How to Use the SIBO/IMO Breath Tests from CDI in Clinic

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO) commonly cause digestive symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel movements. SIBO and IMO are defined as an over-accumulation of bacteria and archaea, respectively, in the small intestine. Research has concluded that up to 36 million Americans suffer from SIBO. At-home breath testing can diagnose…

3 Things to Know About Breath Testing for SIBO At Home (from Emmy Bright MS RDN)

Gut health and digestive disease expert Emmy Bright (@realgood_nutrition) took to social media to help educate patients on properly taking an at-home hydrogen and methane breath test for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): 🦠🌬️3 things to know about breath testing for SIBO at home: First, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is when bacteria inappropriately grows…

Diagnosing and Treating Functional GI Disorders with a Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, also called disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), are a common group of conditions that can cause various symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. These symptoms can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life, and effective diagnosis and treatment require a multidisciplinary approach. The first step in diagnosing a functional…

Carbohydrate Malabsorption Disorders 101: Sucrose and Fructose and Lactose, Oh My!

Carbohydrate malabsorption disorders refer to conditions in which the body cannot properly absorb certain sugars found in foods. These sugars include sucrose (table sugar), fructose (found in fruits and honey), and lactose (found in milk and dairy products). Sucrose intolerance, also known as sucrose-isomaltase deficiency, is a rare condition in which the body cannot break…