The leading cause of peptic ulcer disease is Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that causes chronic inflammation of the stomach's inner lining.In developing countries, the percentage of American people with H. pylori may reach as high as 90 percent, but only one in six develops symptoms of peptic ulcer.Getting tested by a medical professional is the only way to know for sure.
Step 1: Pain in your stomach will not go away.
If you have an H. Pylori infection, you can get peptic ulcers.A peptic ulcer can alert you to a potential infection if H. Pylori causes symptoms.You may have a dull pain in your stomach that doesn't go away and other symptoms of a peptic ulcer.It takes two to three hours for pain to come after eating.It will take several weeks for the pain to go away, and it can happen in the middle of the night when your stomach is empty.When you take antacids and other over-the-counter pain medications, the pain may go away temporarily.
Step 2: Pay attention to nausea.
If you have an H. Pylori infection, you might experience nausea.If you experience nausea, notice it and pay attention to your body.When you are nauseated, you may vomit.Your vomit may contain blood if you have an H. Pylori infection.There is a substance that resembles coffee grounds.Nausea can be caused by a wide variety of factors, such as motion sickness, the flu, eating or drinking something that did not sit well with you, or morning sickness during pregnancy.It is possible that your nausea is related to an H. Pylori infection.
Step 3: Take your appetite into account.
A loss of appetite is a symptom of an H. Pylori infection.You might not want to eat or drink.There are feelings of nausea and indigestion associated with the disease.You should talk to a doctor if you're having a loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.Loss of appetite is a symptom of many diseases.If you're having a loss of appetite, you should see your doctor.
Step 4: You should watch out for strange changes in your body.
When you have an H. Pylori infection, there may be some strange changes in your body.If there are sudden changes, see a doctor.The abdomen can be bloated during an H. Pylori infection.Your stools have become black and tarry.People with an H. Pylori infections will experience a lot of hiccups.
Step 5: Determine your risk factors.
Think about your risk factors when symptoms are rare and easily mistaken for other conditions.If you have a lot of risk factors for an H. Pylori infection, your symptoms may be cause for concern.If you live in a small home with a lot of people, you are more likely to get infections.If you don't have access to clean water, you may have an increased risk of infections.If you have recently traveled to a developing country, this increases your risk for infections.If you live with someone who has H. Pylori, you're more likely to get it yourself.
Step 6: If symptoms get worse quickly, seek medical attention.
H. Pylori is not usually a medical emergency.If you have any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Step 7: Talk to your doctor about testing.
If you think you may have H. Pylori, talk to your doctor to see if a test is necessary.People who have a history of peptic ulcer disease should be tested for H. Pylori.If you are under the age of 55, you could be a candidate for treatment.
Step 8: Take a breath test.
It is not the most accurate test for H. Pylori.During this test, you swallow a substance that contains urea.Urea works in the stomach.Carbon dioxide can be detected in the breath if an infections is present.You will have to take a breath test over the course of two weeks.If you're using over-the-counter or prescription medication to treat H. Pylori, your doctor will tell you to stop.The urea will be swallowed in the doctor's office.After 10 minutes, you'll be asked to exhale and the doctor will check your breath for carbon dioxide.
Step 9: A stool test is something to consider.
H. Pylori can be found in your stool.This is done after treatment to confirm that H. Pylori has been eradicated.A stool test can be ordered by your doctor after a positive breath test.Carefully listen to your doctor's instructions on how to collect and store your stools.Hospitals have different collection methods.There is a test for H.Pylori.It may not be available everywhere, so talk to your doctor about it.
Step 10: You can get a blood test.
A blood test can be used to check for H. Pylori, but it may not be as accurate as a breath test.Your body can only be tested if it has H. Pylori antibodies.It can't tell if you're sick.A blood test may be ordered by your doctor.She might want to confirm an illness.Your doctor knows what's best for you if he or she orders a blood test.It shouldn't take long.Other methods that are not used as often include salivary, urinary, and C13-urea blood tests.
Step 11: If your doctor wants a biopsies, you should see it.
It is the most accurate way to test for H. Pylori.A small sample is taken from your stomach.If you want to remove the sample, you'll have to have an endoscopy at the hospital.A tube will be inserted into your mouth during an endoscopy.Your doctor will check for inflammation after removing a tissue sample.The most accurate way to diagnose H. Pylori will not be called for by your doctor.If you have a peptic ulcer or are at risk for stomach cancer, your doctor may want to conduct an endoscopy.
Step 12: Drugs can be used to suppress acid.
A variety of drugs will be prescribed by your doctor to suppress stomach acid.The first line treatment for H. Pylori is triple antibiotic therapy.The most commonly used regimen for first line treatment is a combination of antibiotics and a pump inhibitor.The treatment should last at least 14 days.Depending on your medical history and current condition, your doctor will recommend which drugs are best for you.There are drugs that stop acid production in the stomach.If excessive stomach acid is causing you pain, your doctor may prescribe these drugs.Histamine blockers can also stop the production of a substance called histamine.Acid production in the stomach can be triggered by histamine.It is possible to coat stomach ulcers and reduce pain.Follow your doctor's instructions when it comes to which drugs he recommends.Do you know if your current medication will interact with the one used to treat H. Pylori?
Step 13: Continue testing throughout the treatment.
Your doctor will want to make sure your H. Pylori was well treated.Four weeks after your treatment, he or she will want to do another round of testing.If treatment was unsuccessful, you may have a second round of treatment and be prescribed antibiotics.Upper endoscopy, fecal antigen test, or urease breath test are usually included in the second round of testing.
Step 14: If regular screenings are right for you, talk to your doctor.
If you have a high risk of stomach cancer, you may want to be regularly screened for H. Pylori.The risk of developing stomach cancer is increased by an H. Pylori infection.If regular screening for H. Pylori is right for you, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor.