H. Pylori
Beverly Hills Stomach Pain Treatment
Helicobacter pylori – or H. pylori- is a type of bacteria that causes a chronic infection of the stomach – usually during childhood. A common cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, H. pylori infection may be present in more than 50% of people – though most people don’t realize they have the infection, because they never get sick from it. If you develop signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer, your doctor will test you for an H. pylori infection with a breath test or upper endoscopy/EGD. H. pylori is a carcinogen and contributes to the development of stomach cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms of H. pylori infection include:
- Ache or burning pain in your abdomen
- Abdominal pain on an empty stomach
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
- Dark stools
- Anemia
H. Pylori-Related Conditions
Conditions associated with H. Pylori include:
- Ulcers
- Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
- Stomach cancer
- MALT lymphoma
H. Pylori Treatments
Treatment is generally a course of antibiotics followed by a second breath test to ensure the bacteria has been eradicated.
- Hydrogen breath test
- Lactose breath test
- Fructose breath test
- Lactulose breath test
Contact our Beverly Hills gastroenterologist at (310) 657-4444 to learn more about H. Pylori and our procedures.
