My doctor ordered a breath test, what is that?

We do 4 different types of breath tests. One is to detect Helicobacter pylori. You take a drink of a sugar like solution then blow in a small machine and it gives us the result. This is a quick and easy test done in the office. The other three breath tests are for lactase deficiency, fructase deficiency and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. These are all common causes of gas, bloating and loose stool. Each test requires drinking a different sugar solution and then over the course of 5 minutes (for lactose and fructose) and 90 minutes (for bacterial overgrowth) you blow in a small machine until it is positive or negative. These are very easy noninvasive procedures done in the office.