A diagnostic procedure involving the ingestion of lactulose, a non-absorbable sugar, and subsequent measurement of exhaled gases provides valuable data for assessing specific gastrointestinal functions. This analysis of breath samples helps identify the presence and potential overgrowth of certain bacteria in the small intestine. It also offers insight into how efficiently the body transports sugars through the digestive tract.
This method offers a non-invasive and generally well-tolerated means of investigating conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and carbohydrate malabsorption. Diagnosing these conditions can be challenging, and this breath analysis plays a significant role in guiding appropriate treatments. Historically, more invasive procedures were required to obtain similar information, highlighting the advancement this method represents in gastroenterology.
