Helicobacter Pylori

What is it?

H. Pylori is a corkscrew shaped bacteria that lives in the stomach. It was discovered in 1983. Doctors used to believe stomach ulcers were caused by stress. Now we know this nasty little bug can eat a hole in the stomach wall and is the real cause of ulcers. Long term infection can also cause stomach, pancreatic and intestinal cancer. Not everyone has symptoms though, maybe just some heartburn.

How do we diagnose it?

There is a blood test to check for antibodies to H. Pylori. The problem with the blood test is that even after you are cured it remains positive for a long time.
Another test is called the Urea breath test. It turns negative immediately after you are cured and can be used to confirm the treatment was successful.

How do we treat it?

There are a few treatments.  One is

1. Tetracycline                    500 mg        three times daily
2. Metronidazole (flagyl).     250 mg        three times daily
3. PeptoBismol                   one tablespoon each time you take the antibiotics

Another is called the Prevpac.
All the treatments work better with PeptoBismol.  It works directly to neutralize the bacteria and carry it out of your stomach.

Treatment side effects

The most common side effect is nausea and upset stomach.  Eating some food with the antibiotics is OK. The food holds the antibiotics longer in the stomach where the H. Pylori is located.
Drink no alcohol while taking the antibiotics.