Breath test for Helicobacter pylori

We all know that the two most commonly used methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori are carbon 13 breath testing and carbon 14 breath testing. Both of these detection methods are through the detection of human exhaled gas, which is a high-end detection method. The principle of this method is based on the amount of carbon 14 metabolized by Helicobacter pylori. The following will introduce to you how breath testing detects gastric Helicobacter pylori.

The C14 breathalyzer is a product of modern Helicobacter pylori detection system technology. The specific principle is that Helicobacter pylori metabolizes c14 and can be detected from the oral cavity. In the past, Helicobacter pylori examinations generally required gastroscopy or even gastric tissue biopsy, both of which would cause a certain degree of pain, and many patients were afraid of the difficulty. It is for this reason that many patients delay their treatment and miss the best period for treatment. Moreover, Helicobacter pylori is mostly distributed in the stomach in the form of foci, which may also affect the biopsy results and cause inaccurate test results.

Whether there is a new examination method that does not require intubation and can avoid cross infection has become a medical research topic. With the continuous development of modern medical technology, a new generation of (C14) breath test specifically for Helicobacter pylori has been developed. Patients can easily check whether they are carrying Helicobacter pylori by simply exhaling. This is a test that can be done for people aged 5 to 80.

The first checkup for stomach problems is a gastroscopy, which directly includes the Helicobacter pylori test. Because active tissue in the stomach can be taken for pathological section examination, the examination is comprehensive and accurate. However, gastroscopy is the most painful and expensive of the several examinations.

When the patient was followed up after taking medication for Helicobacter pylori treatment, no gastroscopy was performed and a carbon-13 urea breath test was done directly. The examination is conducted on an empty stomach in the morning. During the examination, two bags similar to those for soy milk are given. One is blown up first, and then a carbon 13 urea capsule is taken. After a half-hour interval, the second bag is blown up again. The two bags are then inserted into the instrument for comparative analysis. The cost is much cheaper than gastroscopy, the speed is also very fast, and most importantly, the whole process is painless.

A blood test was performed to check whether HP antibodies were present in the blood. This was included in the physical examination. The blood was drawn in the morning on an empty stomach. Because it was done together with other physical examination items, the test results were not directly released on the same day. Also, the presence of HP antibodies in the blood does not necessarily confirm whether HP is still in the body. If you want to confirm, you need to go to the hospital for a second examination. My physical examination results showed weak positive.