Gastritis - Helicobacter pylori; H. pylori

If you are a carrier of H. pylori, you may have no symptoms. If you have an ulcer or gastritis, you may have some of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating and fullness
• Dyspepsia or indigestion
• Feeling very hungry 1 to 3 hours after eating
• Mild nausea (may be relieved by vomiting)

Simple blood, breath, and stool tests can determine if you are infected with H. pylori. If you have symptoms, your doctor will determine if you should have these screening tests.

The most accurate way to diagnose H. pylori is through upper endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Because this procedure is invasive, it is generally only done on people suspected to have an ulcer, or who are at high risk for ulcers or other complications from H. pylori, such as stomach cancer.

Risk factors include being over 45 or having symptoms such as:

• Anemia
• Difficulty swallowing
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Unexplained weight loss

Following treatment, breath and stool tests can determine if you have been cured of the infection.

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Review Date: 08/01/2009
Reviewed By: Reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)