Billy Boyle discusses the potential of breath analysis technology in delivering improvements in diagnosis and clinical monitoring, for patients with digestive diseases. In this article, he reveals how portable devices could revolutionise gastrointestinal healthcare in the future.
Worldwide, more than a billion people live with digestive diseases including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). These issues can be notoriously challenging to diagnose, with some of those living with gut health issues presenting with symptoms at least five years before a diagnosis,1 which can be agonising when many symptoms like bloating, cramping, and diarrhoea impact day-to-day quality of life.
The debilitating symptoms associated with these conditions can impair work performance, limit social activities, and undermine overall well-being. There is also a great psychological toll on living with a poorly managed or undiagnosed gut health condition, as they can contribute to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem in selected individuals.2
Despite their prevalence, diagnosing gut health issues remains a challenge, and the lengthy waiting period for diagnosis not only affects the suffering of individuals, but also imposes substantial burdens on healthcare systems. Conducting the lengthy diagnosis process of gut health conditions impacts healthcare professionals' time and is estimated to cost the NHS up to £1.3 billion per year.3
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