Do you have ongoing stomach pain, bloating, or frequent heartburn? These could be signs of an H pylori infection.
At Blue Ocean Family Medicine in Hendersonville, TN, we offer a simple and effective way to find out if Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is the cause of your discomfort: the Urea Breath Test.
What is H pylori?
H. pylori is a common type of bacteria that can live in your stomach. While many people have it without any problems, in some cases, it can lead to issues like stomach ulcers (sores in the lining of your stomach), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), and other digestive troubles.
When Should You Consider H pylori Testing?
Your doctor may recommend an H pylori test if you are experiencing symptoms such as:
- Frequent or persistent stomach pain
- A burning feeling in your stomach (heartburn)
- Feeling bloated
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
The Simple Urea Breath Test: How It Works
The Urea Breath Test (UBT) is a safe and easy way to check for H pylori in your stomach without needing any invasive procedures. Here’s what to expect:
Before Your Test:
- Fasting: Please do not eat or drink anything other than water for at least 1 hours before your test. This helps us get the most accurate results.
- Medications: To ensure the test works correctly, please avoid taking antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (common heartburn medications), and medicines containing bismuth (like Pepto-Bismol) for at least 2 weeks before your test.
- Smoking: Please do not smoke on the day of your test.
During Your Test:
- First Breath: You will gently blow into a special bag to give us a sample of your breath. This is our starting point.
- Special Drink: You will then drink a liquid that contains urea. This urea has a harmless marker in it.
- Second Breath: After waiting for about 15 minutes, you will blow into another bag to give us a second breath sample.
After Your Test:
You can go back to your normal activities and eating right away. We will send your breath samples to a lab to be checked for H pylori. If the bacteria is present, it will break down the urea you drank and release the marked carbon dioxide in your breath. The lab can detect this.
Your doctor will discuss your results with you and explain any treatment options if H pylori is found. Getting rid of this bacteria can help relieve your symptoms and prevent future problems.
Why Choose the Urea Breath Test?
- Highly Accurate: This test is very good at finding H pylori.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike some other tests, this one doesn’t require any needles or procedures like an endoscopy.
- Convenient: The test is quick and easy to do in our office.
The Cash Price for the H pylori Urea Breath Test at Blue Ocean Family Medicine is $140 for patients of our clinic who have a membership.
If you’re experiencing stomach issues and think H pylori testing might be right for you, please contact Blue Ocean Family Medicine today. You can book an appointment online.