How to Take Home Test for Small Bacterial Overgrowth at Home

The human body is home to several thousand species of bacteria. Although most people think of them as enemies that cause disease, these microorganisms are indeed necessary for their lives. Certainly, pathogenic bacteria can have a detrimental effect on health. But, there are also the good ones that are co-responsible for the proper functioning of the organism.


In your body, most bacteria are found in the intestines. They form the human microbiome and are extremely important for proper functioning. More about it read here. Maintaining this colony is very important because these bacteria support the immune system and protect you from diseases. They also fight against harmful bacteria and prevent their reproduction.

If this happens somewhere in the intestines, there will be problems with digestion. If left untreated, these might trigger some serious illnesses. In order to detect these, regular visits to the doctor are necessary. You can also do tests at home if you suspect the presence of pathogens in your intestines.

What Is SIBO?

SIBO is an acronym for enhanced bacterial growth in the small intestine. It’s most often a strain not found anywhere else in the body. This activity occurs when something interferes with the passage of food or waste through the digestive tract. It creates fertile ground for the development of pathogens that cause blind loop syndrome.

The increased presence of bacteria has many symptoms. Most resemble those caused by poisoning or stomach virus (diarrhea, cramps, appetite loss, bloating). That is why SIBO can often be confused with another disease. To avoid the wrong diagnosis, doctors suggest a SIBO test.

There are two ways that you can take the SIBO test. You can go for a lab examination to get the sample in order to get an accurate result. The results of the blood, lung capacity, and urine samples will be analyzed and sent back to the lab for analysis.

Using SIBO Test Kit

The second method is doing SIBO testing at home. You will need one of the kits, something like a portable gas analyzer. These are available in every well-stocked pharmacy, both online and brick-and-mortar.

If you opt for lab testing, see below what you can expect:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-get-tested-for-sibo-4125868

An at-home kit is a quick way to check any disorders with your intestinal flora without going to the doctor. The thing is simple – you do sampling at home, send samples to the authorized lab, and wait for an e-mail with the results.

If the test is positive for the presence of bacteria, going to the doctor is necessary. Based on the test report, your physician will prescribe the medications, make the necessary changes to your current treatment, or order other tests to confirm the diagnosis. Severe cases will need hospitalization.

Careful Sampling

These kits usually contain several collecting tubes, straws, a solution, and a testing form. You will also find security seals, which will ensure your samples stay intact during transportation. Solutions are usually made of glucose or lactulose, sugars that ‘force’ bacteria to carry out the fermentation process, during which they produce hydrogen and methane. In this way, from what you exhale, experts will detect these gases and bacteria.

The first sample is your breath before drinking the solution. Open the tube, take a deep breath, and exhale with full lungs through the straw. Count to 5 and stop, and quickly close the collecting container. Drink the solution according to the instructions on the test kit. Note the time because you will measure the following samplings from then on.

For half an hour after solution dosing, do another breath sampling. Then wait another half hour, and repeat all this. After another half hour, do a fourth breath sampling. You mustn’t drink water, eat, smoke, or even talk much between samplings.

How to Prepare for Sampling

For a few days before taking UK home SIBO breath test, avoid spicy foods and what causes bloating – beans, whole grains, fruits, and nuts. Drink plenty of water, and stop taking antibiotics, laxatives, and stool softeners. Fast at least 8 hours before the test, and don’t take probiotics. If you use prescription drugs, continue to use them. Brush your teeth just before the test.

Once the results of the SIBO test have been received, you will have to decide whether or not you wish to take measures to treat your illness or not. Your doctor will provide details of the different treatments available, and you should discuss them thoroughly.

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