Hydrogen breath test with glucose. wats it test for? think bacteria overgrowth in small intestine? wat do they do if u have overgrowth?

Bacterial overgrowth: Hydrogen is only produced by anaerobic bacteria which, under normal circumstances are only present in the colon. The test shows that these organisms have colonized the small intestine and may be producing one of several problems.

Lactose intolerance: This is most often used to confirm the persons inability to digest certain sugars like lactose or fructose. As many as 1/4 of the adult population looses the ability to digest lactose, the main sugar in cow milk. This leaves it behind for germs to feed on & when they thrive they produce gas and loose stools. Fructose (fruit sugar) is similar but rare.