Spotting the Signs of H Pylori

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Those who suffer with stomach ulcers or chronic gastritis may have a bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori, often referred to simply as h. pylori. This bacteria grows only in the stomach lining, causing the protective coating of the stomach to weaken. It is estimated that over half the world’s population have the bacteria. It is spread from person to person, usually via unsanitary conditions. Most people with H. pylori do not have any symptoms, or do not recognize the symptoms as a bacterial, and often treatable, condition. Most often, h pylori symptoms are varied.

Abdominal Pain
The upper part of the small intestine is called the duodenum. Infection resulting from h pylori causes duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers. Infection usually includes a burning, gnawing pain in the abdomen. Nineteen out of 20 stomach ulcers in the duodenum area are caused by H. pylori infection. Most often, the gnawing pain is felt early in the morning or when a person goes several hours between meals. It is not limited to times during which the stomach is empty, but it is most common. Relief is usually sought by eating food or taking some kind of antacid product.

Bloating and Fullness
One of the common h pylori symptoms reported is a feeling of fullness in the upper stomach area, even in the absence of eating. Bloating may be experienced and recognized most readily due to a tightness in clothing without any associated weight gain.

Dyspepsia or Indigestion
Those experiencing dyspepsia show a higher incidence of infection than those who do not. Dyspepsia includes bloating, belching, nausea, and heartburn. These occur due to the mucosal lining of the stomach being under attack by the bacteria and sometimes due to stomach ulcer. Antacids are often sought as relief from these symptoms. Peptic stomach ulcers caused by infection can cause one or all of these symptoms. Chronic dyspepsia or indigestion should be discussed with one’s doctor to determine if stomach ulcer is the underlying cause.

Hunger
It seems counter-intuitive that someone experiencing any of the unpleasant effects of H. pylori would feel hungry, although many people report experiencing hunger within one to three hours after eating a meal.

Mild Nausea
Slight or significant nausea, in combination with other symptoms, may indicate H. pylori infection. For those experiencing nausea, vomiting often offers immediate, yet temporary, relief. Nausea symptoms lasting for more than a day or two, in the absence of a known cause, should be discussed with a doctor.

Loss of Appetite
Discomfort and pain will often produce a marked absence of appetite, despite a gnawing feeling of hunger at times. Eating non-acidic forming foods like bananas, brown rice or potatoes is often attempted.

Bleeding
A less common, cut concerning, symptom of infection is bleeding. If let go too long, this can lead anemia, causing fatigue and weakness. Heavy bleeding can be detected through black stool, bright red blood in the stool or by vomiting blood. Medical attention is indicated with any sign of bleeding.