Diarrhea, abdominal distention, cramps, flatulence and general
discomfort may be caused by lactose intolerance in some patients.
In the past patients were instructed to delete milk products
from their diets and see if it had an effect.
There are a number of problems with this method:
1) Eliminating milk products completely proves to be extremely difficult for
most patients;
2) Lactose is present in many unsuspected foods and drugs, making the most
diligent patients attempts to comply impossible.
Calcium, vitamins and other nutritional benefits of milk
are an important part of diet, especially for women and growing
children. A relationship between lactose malabsorption and
post-menopausal osteoporosis have been reported making an
arbitrary decision to withdraw milk from the diet inadvisable
without a demonstrated reason.
Malabsorption tests can provide an indication of the severity
of the lactose deficiency and may indicate the patients possibility
of including some milk in the diet without generating symptoms
of lactose intolerance.
Most gastroenterologist have accepted the hydrogen breath
test as the method of choice for diagnosing lactose intolerance.
It is not only more accurate, but is non-invasive as well. Our particular testing machine
not only looks for hydrogen, but also measures methane gas that can only occur in
up to 20 percent of lactose intolerant patients. In other words, a patient who is lactose
intolerant may only produce methane. There exist less expensive test units
that only measure hydrogen and may, in fact, miss the diagnosis of lactose intolerance.
Our office has acquired a top of the line breath
testing analyzer from a company that is the leader in this
field, the Quintron Corporation. They have spent hours with our staff instructing them
on the proper utilization of the machine and analysis of
data. Not only can we test for lactose intolerance, but we also offer breath testing, using
the substance called lactulose, for detection
of bacterial overgrowth that is being recognized more and more as a significant
factor in the mechanisms underlying the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS patients suffer
from abdominal bloating and pain, irregular bowels habits, and often alternating
diarrhea and constipation. There is a growing popularity in identifying bacterial overgrowth
in patients with IBS symptoms and treating this overgrowth with special antibiotics
that target this intesinal overgrowth of bacteria. Clinical studies have shown an improvement in
subsets of IBS patients who have bacterial overgrowth. Naturally, those suffering from these symptoms should see their doctor or
contact our office for a comprehensive evaluation.
The protocol for the test is simple; nothing by mouth after
midnight, no smoking for 1/2 hour prior to and during testing,
no napping during the examination and no exercising prior to
or during the examination.
Detailed instructions are included with the test kits.
Please give the office a call to arrange for a lactose intolerance
test. It is usually covered by most insurance companies, is non-invasive
in nature, and may prove to be the answer to your needs.
We are available to answer any questions you may have as
well.
To order your test kit, please call 1-800-542-4448 or go
to www.quintron-usa.com.
