# Breath test

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Breath_test
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Breath_test.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breath_test
> Source revision: 1343497009
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

A **breath test** is a type of test performed on air generated from the act of [exhalation](/source/Exhalation).[1]

Types include:

- [Breathalyzer](/source/Breathalyzer) – by far the most common usage of this term relates to the legal **breath test** to determine if a person is [driving under the influence](/source/Driving_under_the_influence) of [alcohol](/source/Alcohol_(drug)).
- [Hydrogen breath test](/source/Hydrogen_breath_test) – it is becoming increasingly common for people to undertake a medical test for clinical [diagnosis](/source/Medical_diagnosis) of dietary disabilities such as [fructose intolerance](/source/Hereditary_fructose_intolerance), [fructose malabsorption](/source/Fructose_malabsorption), [lactose intolerance](/source/Lactose_intolerance) and [lactulose intolerance](/source/Lactulose).
- The presence of *[Helicobacter pylori](/source/Helicobacter_pylori)* (in peptic ulcer disease) can be tested for with the [urea breath test](/source/Urea_breath_test).
- [Exhaled nitric oxide](/source/Exhaled_nitric_oxide) is a breath test that might signal [airway](/source/Airway) [inflammation](/source/Inflammation) such as in [asthma](/source/Asthma).
- [Breath tests for diseases](/source/Breath_tests_for_diseases) have been developed for early detection of [lung cancer](/source/Lung_cancer), [breast cancer](/source/Breast_cancer), [pulmonary tuberculosis](/source/Tuberculosis) and many others, to serve as an adjunct to existing medical tests. A trial will commence at [Addenbrooke's Hospital](/source/Addenbrooke's_Hospital) in Cambridge, England to confirm the efficacy of these breath tests.[2] Phase II and Phase III clinical studies by Menssana Research, Inc. in the United States are also under way.[3]

## See also

- [Breath diagnostics](/source/Breath_diagnostics)
- [Breath gas analysis](/source/Breath_gas_analysis)

## References

1. Beer, Gabriella (January 3, 2019). ["A breath test with the goal of detecting multiple cancers is ready to start trials"](https://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2019/01/03/a-breath-test-with-the-goal-of-detecting-multiple-cancers-is-ready-to-start-trials/). *[Cancer Research UK](/source/Cancer_Research_UK)*. Retrieved January 6, 2019.

1. ["Menssana Research, Inc."](https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/229962). *United States Government [Small Business Innovation Research](/source/Small_Business_Innovation_Research) program*. Retrieved January 6, 2019.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Breath test](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breath_test) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breath_test?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.