A dull, gnawing stomachache after eating or in the middle of the night when the stomach is empty, usually in the upper mid-abdomen (epigastric area)
Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, acid taste
Gas, bloating
Loss of appetite
Feeling full sooner than usual
Frequent burping or belching
Regurgitation of food or food particles
Unintentional weight loss
Vomiting blood that is bright red, or looks like coffee grounds
Dark, black, or tarry looking stools (due to bleeding ulcers)
Fatigue, weakness, generalized malaise
Shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts or anemia caused by bleeding ulcers)
Diarrhea
Bad breath
How is H. pylori diagnosed?
H. pylori is diagnosed by breath testing, stool tests, or biopsy taken during EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy).
EGD is often preferred because it allows us to both identify the H. pylori bacterium, and see the severity of associated damage (gastritis, duodenitis, or peptic ulcer disease), plus biopsy for other conditions that may be associated with longstanding H. pylori infection such as MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma, and stomach cancer.
How does H. pylori cause Peptic Ulcer Disease?
H. pylori weakens and damages the lining of your stomach and small intestine, allowing acid to reach the deeper layers of these structures. Inflammation and ulcers result.
About 10% of people with H. pylori will develop an ulcer.
As many as 90% of people with Peptic Ulcer Disease are infected with H. pylori.
Some strains of H. pylori appear to be more prone to causing ulcers than others.
Ulcers can bleed resulting in anemia and other life-threatening complications.