University Teaching Trust
Bacterial overgrowth
Turnberg Building
Gastro-Intestinal
Physiology
0161 206 4533
© G16102601W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, All Rights Reserved 2016.
Document for issue as handout. Unique Identifier: MED 54 (16). Review date: January 2019.
This leaflet has 3 aims:
1. To help you become better informed
and more involved in your care.
2. To explain what happens on the day
of the procedure.
3. To answer some of the questions
commonly asked about the procedure.
If you have any questions, access or
communication needs such as an
interpreter please contact the
Department of GI Physiology
0161 206 4533
or you can email us at:
[email protected]
Please make sure that you read the
following information CAREFULLY
as you will be required to avoid
certain foods prior to the test.
A non-invasive hydrogen breath test has
been requested for you to assess if you
have bacterial overgrowth. This usually
gives the symptoms of diarrhoea, nausea
and sometimes abdominal discomfort.
We all have bacteria in our colon but
sometimes this bacteria over-produce
and the bacteria can move in to the small
intestine. If the test is positive the usual
course of treatment is antibiotics.
We all have hydrogen in our breath
but more so if bacterial overgrowth
has occurred. It is the breath hydrogen
concentration that will be tested.
What will happen to you during
this test:
l The test will take approximately 2-3
hours.
lThe physiologist will take breath
samples from you by asking you to
breathe in to a machine
lYou will be given a test meal of a small
dose of either lactulose or glucose
lBreath samples will be taken from you
every 15 minutes
lThe test is not invasive or painful
lPlease feel free to bring a book or
newspaper with you
© G16102601W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust,
All Rights Reserved 2016. Document for issue as handout.
Unique Identifier: MED 54 (16). Review date: January 2019.
What you need to do prior to the
test:
Foods to AVOID:
lDo not have anything to eat or drink
(except water) 12 hours prior to the
test
Wholemeal / wholegrain bread, rice or
pasta; pulses i.e. beans; high fibre cereals
i.e. bran flakes, all bran etc; fruit and
vegetables with skins on.
lAvoid slow digesting foods i.e. high
fibre foods for 24 hours prior to the
test. The following are suggested
foods that you CAN eat:
If you are diabetic substitute where
appropriate with sugar free food items. If
you have any concerns, please contact us
on the above telephone number.
Breakfast:
Rice crispies; eggs; bacon white bread
Lunch:
Cheese omelette (no vegetables); ham /cheese
sandwich (white bread); plain yoghurt
Evening Meal:
Meat or fish (no batter or breadcrumbs);
potatoes no skin; ice cream
l Please contact the department if you
have taken antibiotics within the last 6
weeks as this will affect the test
l Do not smoke within 12 hours of the test
lEating, drinking, smoking, sleeping or
exercise is NOT permitted during the test
There are no known risks associated with
this non-invasive breath test for bacterial
overgrowth. However if you are diabetic
please contact the department and
further instruction will be given to you
regarding fasting and the test itself.
There is no alternative to this
investigation other than not going ahead
with this investigation.
If you have any questions please contact:
Department of GI Physiology
0161 206 4533
© G16102601W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust,
All Rights Reserved 2016. Document for issue as handout.
Unique Identifier: MED 54 (16). Review date: January 2019.
© G16102601W. Design Services
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
All Rights Reserved 2016
This document MUST NOT be photocopied
University Teaching Trust
Information Leaflet Control Policy:
Unique Identifier: MED 54 (16)
Review Date: January 2019
For further information on this leaflet, it’s references
and sources used, please contact 0161 206 4533.
Copies of this information are available in other
languages and formats upon request.
In accordance with the Equality Act we will make
‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable individuals
with disabilities, to access this treatment / service.
If you need this interpreting please telephone
Email: [email protected]
Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy.
For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital
Specialist Stop Smoking Service on 0161 206 1779
Salford Royal NHS
Foundation Trust
Stott Lane,
Salford,
Manchester,
M6 8HD
Telephone
0161 789 7373
www.srft.nhs.uk
If you would
like to
become a
Foundation
Trust Member
please visit:
If you have any
suggestions as to
how this document
could be improved
in the future then
please visit:
www.srft.
nhs.uk/formembers
http://www.srft.
nhs.uk/for-patients