What Are the Symptoms of H. Pylori Infection?

Most people with H. pylori don’t have any symptoms.

When the infection leads to an ulcer, symptoms may include abdominal pain, especially when your stomach is empty at night or a few hours after meals. The pain is usually described as a gnawing pain, and it may come and go. Eating or taking antacid drugs may relieve this pain.

If you have this type of pain or a strong pain that doesn’t seem to go away, you should visit your doctor.

A number of other symptoms may be associated with H. pylori infection, including:

  • excessive burping
  • feeling bloated
  • nausea or vomiting
  • lack of appetite, or anorexia
  • unexplained weight loss

How Are H. Pylori Infections Diagnosed?

  • Physical exam

During a physical exam, your doctor will examine your stomach to check for signs of bloating, tenderness, or pain. They’ll also listen for any sounds within the abdomen.

  • Blood Tests

You may need to give blood samples, which will be used to look for antibodies against H. pylori. For a blood test, a healthcare provider will draw a small amount of blood from your arm or hand. The blood will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis.

  • Stool Tests

A stool sample may be needed to check for signs of H. pylori in your feces. Your doctor will give you a container to take home with you to catch and store a sample of your stool. Once you return the container to your healthcare provider, they will send the sample to a laboratory for analysis.

  • Breath Tests

If you have a breath test, you’ll swallow a preparation containing urea. If H. pylori bacteria are present, they will release an enzyme that breaks down this combination and will release carbon dioxide, which a special device then detects.

  • Endoscopy

If you have an endoscopy, your doctor will insert a long, thin instrument called an endoscope into your mouth and down into your stomach and duodenum. An attached camera will send back images on a monitor for your doctor to view. Any abnormal areas will be inspected, and special tools used with the endoscope will take samples from these areas if that’s necessary.

What Are the Complications of H. Pylori Infections?

Studies show that infected people also have an increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma, which is a type of stomach cancer. While the infection is a major cause of stomach cancer, most people infected with H. pylori never develop stomach cancer.

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