Category Archives: Educational Resources

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…

Trace Gases & Breath Testing for Gastrointestinal Disorders: A GI Community Chat Hosted by CDI

In this latest episode of CDI’s GI Community Chat Series, CDI President and CEO Craig Strasnick is joined by Dr. Anthony Hobson of The Functional Gut Clinic (UK) and Billy Boyle of Owlstone Medical to discuss the current state and future outlook for breath testing related to GI trace gases. Listen as our expert guests…

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…

Trace Gases and Their Impact on the Gastrointestinal (GI) System

The human gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex network of organs and processes responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. A critical aspect of the functioning of the GI system is the presence of trace gases in the gut, which can significantly impact the digestive system’s health and functioning. According to ACG Clinical Guidelines…

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…

Recent Studies Validate Hydrogen and Methane Breath Tests

Two new studies validating hydrogen and methane breath tests were recently highlighted by Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News, with their results showing how breath tests can improve treatment plans of patients with common functional GI symptoms. In particular, the data from these studies show that breath tests can help distinguish between two IBS subtypes and characterize…

Why Providers Should Test for SIBO When Patient Presents With IBS-Like Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the large and small intestine, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel habits. IBS is one of the many disorders of the gut-brain interactions (DGBIs) as classified by Rome IV. While the exact cause of IBS is unknown, healthcare researchers believe that several factors…

Year-End 2022 + Outlook 2023 Functional GI Trends Webinar Recording & Highlights

With continued changes in science and technology, gastroenterology practice continues to evolve with a greater emphasis on an integrated healthcare delivery model that will improve patient outcomes. ACG 2022 offered GI physicians the opportunity to learn the latest clinical information on key GI topics, share practice experiences, and see the latest advances in GI diagnostics…