Hydrogen breath tests for IBS

In this article Dr. Shawn Khodadadian, Lenox Hill Hospital, discusses his preference for using the hydrogen breath test to confirm diagnoses rather than start empirical treatment.  Dr. Khodadadian sites lactose intolerance, fructose malabsorption and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth as diseases that are often receive unwarranted treatment that can lead to adverse side effects.  He has found that the hydrogen breath test very useful in treating patients with gas and bloating and IBS because they allow patients to be placed on accurate and specific diets that are usually less restrictive than if testing was never done.

REF: Gastroenterology January 25, 2015

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/GeneralGastroenterology/49707#./49707?&_suid=1422625498320029992429285900246