Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that causes chronic inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach and is the leading cause of peptic ulcer worldwide. Just to give an example, over 50% of Americans are affected, while in developing countries the percentage can reach up to 90%. However, only one in six people develop peptic ulcer symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you suffer from it too is to undergo medical checks.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms
Step 1. Look for dull stomach pain that won't go away
H. pylori infection can cause peptic ulcer in the stomach and lower intestine. Since the presence of H. pylori itself triggers symptoms, peptic ulcer can alert you to a potential infection. In the presence of such a disease, you should experience some of the following ailments.
- Dull pain in the stomach that does not go away. It usually occurs two to three hours after meals.
- The pain tends to come and go for several weeks, sometimes even in the middle of the night when the stomach is empty.
- It may disappear temporarily when you take certain medications, such as antacids or other over-the-counter pain relievers.
Step 2. Pay attention to prolonged nausea
This symptom is present with H. pylori infection. Listen to your body and see if you feel nauseous.
- You may also throw up during a bout of nausea. If the infection is present, the vomit may even contain blood, as well as a substance similar to coffee beans.
- Nausea can be due to many other factors, such as motion sickness, the flu, eating or drinking something not suitable for you, or it could even be the morning one that accompanies pregnancy. However, if it is persistent and you have no obvious risk factors, it could be the consequence of H. pylori infection.
Step 3. Assess your appetite
Loss of appetite is another indicative sign of the disease. You may not have an interest in food or you may not want to eat. This symptom may be present in conjunction with the feeling of nausea and indigestion related to the infection.
If you have lost your appetite and are losing weight in an unexplained way, you need to go to the doctor. Loss of appetite is the symptom of many diseases, including cancer. See your doctor to rule out other serious illnesses if you are not hungry
Step 4. Watch for unexpected changes in your body
You may notice some strange variations; in this case, you must make a note of them and consult a doctor so that he can evaluate them.
- It is not unusual for the abdomen to swell slightly during this type of infection.
- You may also notice that the stool becomes increasingly black and tarry.
- Sometimes, people who have contracted H. pylori have frequent attacks of hiccups.
Step 5. Examine the risk factors
Since symptoms are rare and can be easily confused with other conditions, you need to evaluate the chances of infection. If they are elevated, symptoms such as stomach cramps could be a cause for concern.
- If you live in crowded environments, such as in a small house with many people, the risk of getting the infection increases.
- Lack of regular access to clean, safe water also contributes to an increase in the chances of H. pylori.
- If you live in a developing country or have recently traveled to one, you are more likely to get infected.
- If you live with someone who has been diagnosed with the infection, your chances of getting sick as well increase.
Step 6. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms worsen quickly
Usually, H. pylori is not a problem that requires urgent medical attention. However, some ailments can become severe. If you get any of the following, go to the emergency room right away:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Severe abdominal pain;
- Blood in the stool
- Blood in the vomit.
Part 2 of 3: Undergo Medical Exams
Step 1. Determine if your doctor wants to perform a biopsy
This is the most accurate method of determining the presence of the bacterium. The procedure consists of a small sample of gastric tissue. For this purpose, an endoscopy is performed, a somewhat invasive procedure that must be done in the hospital.
- During the surgery, a thin tube is inserted into the mouth until it reaches the stomach. In addition to taking a tissue sample, endoscopy allows you to identify any inflammatory states.
- Although this is the most accurate method of diagnosing H. pylori, your doctor does not typically prescribe this procedure unless it is needed for other reasons, such as if you have a peptic ulcer or are at risk for stomach cancer.
Step 2. Take the breath test
If your doctor thinks there is no need for endoscopy, he or she will prescribe this exam. You will be asked to ingest a substance containing a chemical compound labeled with a particular isotope, called urea, which has the ability to break down stomach proteins. If there is an ongoing infection, the urea is converted into isotope-labeled carbon dioxide, which can be detected in the breath.
- The preparation time for this test is two weeks. Your doctor will instruct you to stop taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications you are taking to treat the infection.
- You will then need to ingest urea at the doctor's office. After 10 minutes you will be asked to exhale and the doctor will examine the air expelled from your mouth for marked carbon dioxide.
Step 3. Perform the stool test
It is also possible to detect the presence of the bacterium in the stool and your doctor may prescribe this test. The procedure is usually performed at the end of treatment to confirm whether the infection has been successfully eradicated.
- Your doctor may order a stool test after a positive breath test and subsequent treatment.
- Strictly follow the doctor's instructions regarding how to collect the stool sample. The methods may differ, depending on the hospital or laboratory that will perform the analysis.
Step 4. Take a blood test
This is another test that is done to look for the H. pylori bacterium; however, it is not as accurate as breathing, as it only makes it possible to understand if antibody against the bacterium is present, but does not detect the actual presence of the infection.
Your doctor may order a blood test for several reasons. You will want to confirm the presence of the infection. If he prescribes such a test, trust him because he knows what's best for you. This is a simple procedure that does not take much time
Part 3 of 3: Coping with the Infection
Step 1. Take acid-suppressing medications
Once the infection is diagnosed, your doctor will recommend different types of medicines to soothe stomach acid. His choice will be based on your medical history and the diseases you currently suffer from.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a category of drugs that block the production of acids in the stomach. Your doctor may prescribe these for you if your stomach is producing too much of them which causes pain.
- Histamine H2-receptor antagonists can also stop acid production. They work by blocking the production of a substance called histamine, which can stimulate the secretion of stomach acids.
- Bismuth subsalicylate, commonly sold under the trade name Pepto-Bismol, coats stomach ulcers with a protective layer and can reduce pain.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions very carefully regarding the recommended medications. If you have any existing pathology, you need to ask him if the medication you are following can interact with that for H. pylori.
Step 2. Check the effectiveness of the treatments
The doctor will want to make sure that the drug therapy prescribed to treat the infection is effective. About a month after the treatment, you will probably want to undergo other tests. If the treatment has not led to the desired results, you will need to take a second course of medication and you may be prescribed antibiotics.
Step 3. Ask your doctor if regular screening tests are appropriate
If you are at high risk of stomach cancer, you will need to be tested for H. pylori infection on time, as this bacterium increases the chances of cancer. Discuss your concerns with your doctor so they can determine if regular screening tests are right for you.
