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        <title><![CDATA[Gastrointestinal - The Environmental Illness Resource | Reviews]]></title>
        <description><![CDATA[Descriptions and reviews of books, products and treatments relating to environmental illnesses.]]></description>
        <link>http://www.ei-resource.org/</link>
                                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">3376-431</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Heidelberg Stomach Acid Test : Useful for its accuracy - expensive and time consu]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.ei-resource.org/functional-laboratory-tests/gastrointestinal/heidelberg-stomach-acid-test-/</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                I had a Heidelberg pH Test back in 2001 following a Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA). The CDSA flagged up a number of abnormal results regarding digestion and absorption so I had the Heidelberg test to help pin down the cause(s). 

The test has a long history and proven track record so I have confidence in the results. As it turned out my stomach acid output was fine - in fact it was 103% of normal so definitely not a cause of my poor digestion. In hindsight and with more knowledge of medicine and my own health it is likely the CDSA showed poor digestion due to stress, which increases transit time therefore reducing the amount of time food is in contact with digestive juices. I subsequently found further evidence of fungal and bacterial dysbiosis which the CDSA had strongly indicated and this could certainly impair digestion.

As for the Heidelberg Test procedure itself I didn't find it too unpleasant. The pH monitoring capsule really is the size of a large nutritional supplement so if you're used to swallowing these you'll have no problem at all. After this you just lay back and wait while the capsule sits in your stomach sending back data. I actually had a vfersion of the test that also tests pH in the small intestine to determine bicarbonate output from the pancreas as well so I was lying on the clinic bed for about 2 hours. Testing stomach pH only takes 30-40 minutes. In either case you can just sit back and read etc.

The test is obviously not cheap as the equipment is expensive and it takes a significant amount of the doctor's time but if you have the hallmark symptoms of low stomach acid or other reason to believe it may be a problem then this test is the best way to get a definitive answer. Recommended if you can afford it.

                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Gastrointestinal]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:56:47 +0000</pubDate>
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