Bacterial Overgrowth of the Small Intestine Breath Test (BOSI) (Breath)
What is it? This simple, non-invasive test detects bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, a common condition that often underlies chronic symptoms of maldigestion and malabsorption, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, irregularity, and abdominal pain.	The Bacterial Overgrowth test offers a unique insite into the cause of your digestive problems with amazing accuracy.

Bacterial concentrations in the small intestine are normally kept to a minimum.When excessive, the delicate mucosal lining is disrupted, including the microvilli that facilitate absorption. As a result, bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine (BOSI) can inhibit nutrient absorption and lead to the following serious health problems:

• Altered intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
• Anemia
• Carbohydrate intolerance
• Fibromyalgia
• Malabsorption
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Malnutrition and weight loss
• Osteoporosis

The Bacterial Overgrowth Breath Test is appropriate for patients who demonstrate:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder, affecting 20% of the general population. The BOSI test aids in identifying the actual cause of IBS. Studies suggest that as many as 50-75% of patients with IBS have BOSI, as demonstrated by hydrogen breath testing.
• Unexplained abdominal symptoms, especially gas and bloating
• The inability to tolerate sweet or starchy foods, fiber, or friendly flora supplements

How the Test Works

From timed collections, this safe, non-invasive test measures both hydrogen and methane levels produced by bacteria in the small intestine. Higher levels of these gases in the breath indicate increased bacterial concentrations. Simple and easy-to-perform, hydrogen breath testing offers a greater reproducibility and a more comprehensive assessment of BOSI than even a direct tissue culture.

Why the Test is Important:

• Once bacterial overgrowth has been detected, intervention strategies involving diet, digestive support, probiotics and antimicrobials can be used to treat the condition.
• Successful eradication of BOSI has been shown to reduce bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in patients more effectively than many other treatments for IBS.
• Bacterial overgrowth may manifest silently, without overt clinical signs. Patients without clear symptoms of gastrointestinal distress may benefit from testing, especially those with a history of chronic constipation, hypochlorhydria (including use of acid-blocking drugs), or maldigestion.

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