What is Helicobacter pylori?
Helicobacter pylori (or H pylori) is a type of bacteria that is responsible for many cases of chronic gastritis and stomach ulcers.
Urea breath tests are a sensitive and specific test and is an ideal test for determining the success of eradication therapy. It is also useful in those situations where endoscopy is not indicated.
What is a urea breath test?
Urea breath test (or UBT test) is a simple, sensitive and non-invasive way of testing patients to determine H. pylori status.
How is a urea breath test performed?
Certain medications that may affect the test need to be excluded, for up to 30 days before the test. A small dose containing Carbon-13 Urea (13C urea) is taken by mouth, and a breath sample is collected 30 minutes later. The test is not radioactive and can be performed on children, or pregnant women.
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Why would you need a urea breath test?
Nobel-Prize-winning research in Western Australia has recently (within the last 10-15 years) identified Helicobacter pylori as a major treatable cause of ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, and to a lesser extent gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining). Symptoms of these conditions include:
Upper abdominal pain
Upper abdominal pain, particularly pain where the timing is related to food or lack of food, and nausea or vomiting.
Heartburn
Heartburn or acid reflux is a similar symptom that is less consistently related to gastritis and H pylori as a cause.
Urea breath test results explained
A POSTIVE urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori means that the bacterium is present within the stomach, and may therefore be the cause of upper abdominal symptoms. H pylori eradication therapy may be prescribed by your doctor to kill the bacterium and therefore allow healing to occur.
A NEGATIVE urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori means that the bacterium probably is not present within the stomach, although it is possible for so-called false negatives to occur when certain medications are not witheld before the test.
Related specialists
Related procedures
- Endoscopy of the Upper Gastrointstinal Tract
Related tests
Also known as
- UBT test
- 13C urea breath test
- H pylori breath test
- Urease breath test
Links
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This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If in doubt, HealthEngine recommends consulting with a registered health practitioner.
All content and media on the HealthEngine Blog is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call the emergency services immediately.
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