Category: Gastrolyzer

IBS Awareness Month

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April is IBS Awareness month, which first began in 1997 when IFFGD (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders) wanted to steer focus toward providing health messages about the diagnosis, treatment, and life’s difficulties that come with IBS. (1) Although there is no direct test for IBS, traditional investigational methods can include invasive blood tests and lengthy waiting times for bloodwork analysis and results, meaning a longer time for your patients’ discomfort. With the Gastrolyzer® range of hydrogen and methane breath tests, IBS can be investigated both quickly and non-invasively.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly referred to as IBS, is a condition affecting approximately 1 in 20 people in the UK, causing symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time and can last for days, weeks, or months at a time. (2)

Unfortunately, although it is fairly common, IBS goes relatively undiagnosed and people are unaware that their symptoms indicate a medically recognized disorder.

Hydrogen and Methane Breath testing (HMBT) with the Gastrolyzer® range of breath analysis monitors can help to quickly and non-invasively detect and investigate IBS as well as other gastrointestinal disorders such as lactose intolerance, sugar intolerance, and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).

The Gastrolyzer® range works by measuring exhaled levels of hydrogen and methane produced when the gut breaks down food. Interpreting these gas levels can help to determine gastrointestinal disorders like IBS.

Both of these devices are ideal tools for doctors, dietitians, and gastroenterologists. Please see our website https://www.gastrolyzer.com for all the necessary information on how you can help your patients with our range today.

References:

1. International IBS Awareness Month [Internet]. International IBS Awareness Month. 2022 [cited 20 April 2022]. Available from: https://www.nicswell.co.uk/events/international-ibs-awareness-month-2022

2. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022 [cited 20 April 2022]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs 

Bedfont Scientific Ltd. teams up with GI Cognition to launch Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing ‘Home Kits’ to help improve Gastric Health remotely

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Bedfont® presents its new Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing Home Kits in association with GI Cognition

With the pandemic of COVID-19 bringing a halt to most medical tests and procedures, it has highlighted a need to safely, easily, and remotely find a way for health services to continue treating their patients, especially in the field of Gastroenterology. Global breath analysis manufacturer, Bedfont® Scientific Ltd., has teamed up with GI Cognition to do just that in launching its new Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing (HMBT) ‘Home Kits’ to help improve Gastric Health remotely.

Known for their innovative medical devices, Bedfont® brings their 32 years of Hydrogen and Methane monitoring knowledge and has created a simple and patient-friendly HMBT Home Kit, which allows patients to be tested remotely for many digestive issues, including food intolerances, IBS, and SIBO. The Home Kits will be distributed by GI Cognition; a UK network of qualified GI physiologists, providing a unique and innovative mobile gastrointestinal physiology service.

According to NICE, IBS prevalence in the UK population is estimated to be between 10% and 20%1 and SIBO affects 1 in 7 according to the London Gastroenterology Centre2. GI Cognition was first established to ease the pressure on UK hospitals that deal with long waiting times and convoluted processes for their gastroenterology outpatients. By teaming up with Bedfont® to offer HMBT Home Kits, they can not only accomplish this but also help Bedfont® to raise awareness of gastrointestinal health and give the patient more knowledge and control of their own gastric health.

Dr. Jafar Jafari, Head Of Upper GI Physiology Service at Guys and St Thomas Hospital, and Executive Director at GI Cognition, explains, “Hydrogen and methane breath testing is an invaluable tool in helping to detect gastrointestinal disorders, but unfortunately there are not enough qualified GI physiologists in the UK to meet the growing demand from patients and hospitals, causing a shortage of upper GI testing services, including HMBT; GI cognition was established to remedy this. We are excited to be working with Bedfont® on HMBT Home Kits to help bridge the gap.”

Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont®, adds, “For some time there has been a need to help reduce the pressure on gastroenterology health services and with the pandemic, we decided to focus on developing the Home Kits sooner. Through remote breath analysis, more patients can be seen, without having to leave the comfort of their homes, meaning they can receive great care and stop living in discomfort by better understanding and taking control of their digestive health.”

References:

  1. Introduction | Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE [Internet]. Nice.org.uk. 2021 [cited 20 May 2008]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg61/chapter/introduction#:~:text=IBS%20most%20often%20affects%20people,of%20IBS%20in%20older%20people.
  2. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) – Treating, Testing & Preventing [Internet]. London Gastroenterology Centre. 2018 [cited 20 May 2021]. Available from: https://www.gastrolondon.co.uk/overview-of-diagnosis-and-management-of-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/
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