Which symptoms are commonly reported by patients when referring to breath tests for gastrointestinal issues?

Patients often report a range of gastrointestinal symptoms that can be quite specific when undergoing breath tests for conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or carbohydrate malabsorption. The symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, gas, and diarrhea are particularly common because these symptoms are directly related to the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

During breath testing, patients generally consume a substrate (like lactulose or glucose) that, if malabsorbed or fermented, leads to the production of gases that are measured in breath samples. The symptoms reported by patients often arise from the resulting gas production and the physiological responses of the gastrointestinal system attempting to process these substances. As such, the symptoms exemplified in this choice accurately reflect the typical complaints that align with the mechanisms being investigated during these tests. Understanding these symptoms can aid clinicians in diagnosing and managing various gastrointestinal disorders effectively.