What is Urea breath test?
A urea breath test is an effective diagnostic method for H. pylori detection. This test is also used for studying the prognosis of treatment. Non-radioactive carbon (carbon -13 or carbon -14) is tagged with urea which is contained in the water which the patient drinks. If H. pylori bacteria are present in your stomach, they will break down the urea, eventually causing you to exhale carbon dioxide that contains the tagged carbon. If you have no H. pylori bacteria in your stomach, the urea does not break down and instead passes out of your body in your urine. This test is accurate and safe. (See also, lab test – Urea breath test).
