A urea breath test procedure is a medical test that is performed in order to detect the existence of helicobacter pylori in the individual. Also known as H. Pylori, the infection is known to cause a number of complications in its host including inflammation, ulcers and atrophy of the stomach. One of the primary effects of the virus is its ability in breaking down urea into carbon dioxide. This is then taken in from the stomach and released through the breath - causing the individual to appear to have bad breath. The urea breath test procedure is rather simple to perform and all the urea breath test technique requires the patient to do is swallow a capsule that contains urea made from an isotope of carbon. This pill will trigger a breakdown into carbon dioxide, which is then absorbed into the blood after which it travels into the lungs and then is exhaled through the breath. While this occurs, the patient's breath samples are then collected and the amount of carbon dioxide in the breath. Before conducting the test, a baseline breath sample is collected about 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the medical test while a post dose breath is collected as well. The breath samples will then be taken to the laboratory and analyzed to see if any material forms when the H. Pylori comes in contact with the radioactive material. All in all, the test should take no more than about 1.5 hours to complete.
Once the urea breath test has been completed and the occurrence of bacteria in the stomach has been detected, the condition can be effectively treated with the help of antibiotics. In the event that you were already under the influence of antibiotics, the urea breath test surgery is best performed a period of 14 days after you have stopped taking the medication or the test results could be adversely impacted.
Urea breath test costs will vary from one practitioner to another and given the fact that it is non invasive means that it should be affordable. There is also no significant post surgery care required as well.
The procedure is best performed with the patient being asked to lie down on his or her left side after the baseline breath sample has been taken and the capsule administered. The presiding doctor should then allow the patient to rest for a period of about twenty minutes for the pill to take effect internally before the post test breath sample has been captured.