Helicobacter Pylori Symptoms

Helicobacter Pylori Tests

Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, is a form of bacteria that appears to be a contributing factor to both stomach cancer and stomach ulcers. Millions of people have the Helicobacter pylori bacterium in their stomach, but not all will develop a a stomach ulcer or stomach cancer from it.

The goal of this article is to list Helicobacter pylori symptoms, and briefly describe Helicobacter pylori tests that can help detect its presence.

Often, there are no symptoms to indicate the presence of Helicobacter pylori, which is why Helicobacter pylori tests can be a helpful diagnostic tool. Symptoms only appear when a disorder is in progress. In such instances, the following symptoms are common.

• an aching feeling or burning pain in the abdomen,
• nausea,
• unusual or frequent vomiting,
• frequent belching and/or burping,
• a frequent bloated feeling,
• unusual or unexplained weight loss,
• lower than usual appetite.

It's important to seek professional medical help if you experience any of the following symptoms, which may be related to disorders caused by Helicobacter pylori:

• severe or persistent abdominal pain, especially if the abdomen feels rigid or tender to the touch.
• difficulty swallowing
• bloody or unusually dark, tarry stools
• bloody or black vomit. Also vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Helicobacter pylori tests

If you're experiencing the H. pylori symptoms mentioned above, your doctor will probably recommend some Helicobacter pylori tests. These might include the following.

Blood antibody test This test checks for the presence of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori bacteria that your body has produced. If these antibodies are present, it means you have H. pylori, or have had it at some time in the past.

Urea breath test This test can tell you if you have Helicobacter pylori bacteria in your stomach.

Stool antigen test  When you have Helicobacter pylori, your body produces certain substances to fight the infection. These substances are evident in stool samples.

Stomach biopsy This test requires a small sample from the lining of your stomach and small intestine. This is done using a procedure known as an endoscopy. Several different tests can be done on the biopsy sample to determine if Helicobacter pylori is causing your symptoms.