Subject(s)
Breath Tests , Diarrhea/enzymology , Hydrogen/analysis , Intestinal Diseases/diagnosis , beta-Galactosidase/deficiency , Chronic Disease , Gastrointestinal Transit/physiology , Humans , Intestinal Diseases/enzymology , Intestinal Diseases/microbiology , Lactase , Lactose Tolerance Test , RecurrenceABSTRACT
The determination of hydrogen in exhaled air by gas chromatography was used for investigation of patients with relapsing diarrhea of various genesis. An increased H level on an empty stomach, regarded as a sign of bacterial growth in the intestine, was detected in 45% of examines, mainly in celiac disease immunodeficiency, intestinal tuberculosis, diverticulosis, diabetic enteropathy, and erosive duodenitis. An increase in the H level in exhaled air after a lactose tolerance test (50 g of lactose) made it possible to diagnose lactose deficiency in 38% of patients with chronic relapsing diarrhea. In the irritable colon syndrome lactose deficiency was detected in 40% of patients.
Subject(s)
Breath Tests/methods , Deuterium/analysis , Intestinal Diseases/diagnosis , Chromatography, Gas/methods , Chronic Disease , Deuterium/metabolism , Humans , Intestinal Diseases/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolismSubject(s)
Duodenal Diseases/diagnosis , Heavy Chain Disease/diagnosis , Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/analysis , Malabsorption Syndromes/diagnosis , Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Duodenal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Duodenal Diseases/immunology , Duodenum/diagnostic imaging , Heavy Chain Disease/diagnostic imaging , Heavy Chain Disease/immunology , Humans , Malabsorption Syndromes/diagnostic imaging , Malabsorption Syndromes/immunology , Male , RadiographyABSTRACT
Gastric and intestinal bio-electrical activity (BEA) was assessed from body surface by means of a modified electrogastrograph, EGS-4M, in 387 patients with various intestinal conditions and 39 normal subjects. The method is simple, atraumatic and rather inexpensive. It revealed qualitative and quantitative BEA changes (uncoordination in half the cases, and increased amplitudes of waveforms I, IV and V) in patients with mild disorders, which were chiefly functional and involved no organic gastro-intestinal lesions (i.e., signs of gastric or colonic irritation). In cases of chronic small-intestinal conditions, involving impaired absorption syndrome, reduced waveform II and III amplitudes showed correlation to the severity of the latter. BEA normalization in the course of treatment provides an objective indicator of the degree of patient rehabilitation and the efficiency of treatment at large. BEA parameters cannot be used for nosologic or differential diagnosis. BEA measurements, combined with other techniques, can be useful for the assessment of motor/evacuatory activity of the digestive system.
