What to tell your doctor

Tips on how to bring up H. pylori with your healthcare provider
  • Mention if you’ve had any of the symptoms. Tell your doctor when they started, how often you have them, and how bad the symptoms are.
  • Be sure to share your family medical history with your doctor, especially if someone closely related to you has had stomach cancer or ulcers, or if you live with someone who has had an H. pylori infection.
  • Tell your doctor all of the medications you’re taking, and the dose you take.
  • Bring this handy symptom checklist to help your doctor understand your symptoms.
  • Talk about testing and treatment options. Ask about how and when to take any medicines, and take them exactly as prescribed.
Patient Testing H.Pylori

What to Expect - H. pylori Testing and Treatment

Testing for H. pylori

There are a few different ways to test if you have H. pylori. Your doctor may order a stool sample or a breath test. Both of these tests are easy to do and not painful. If your symptoms are more serious or you are over age 60, your doctor may order an endoscopy. This is when a doctor puts a long, flexible tube down your throat to look at the lining of your stomach with a small camera, and you are given medication to ensure you are calm and comfortable during this procedure. Typically, this is a brief procedure, and you can go home soon after.

Treatment

If your H. pylori test is positive, it is typically treated with antibiotics, medications that kill bacteria, and PPIs, which reduce stomach acid and help alleviate symptoms such as stomach pain. You need to take all of your medication exactly as it is prescribed, even if you feel better. Suppose you stop taking your antibiotic prescription early. In that case, some of the H. pylori bacteria can be left in your stomach, and it may become harder to get rid of them with antibiotics in the future. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions and take all your antibiotic pills until they are gone.

How do I know that the treatment worked?

Even if you feel better, you should check in with your doctor after your H. pylori treatment. Sometimes, it takes more than one round of treatment for the infection to completely go away. Your doctor should test you again after your first treatment to ensure it is gone.

All About PPIs

Get to know these common medications used for stomach issues

Proton Pump Inhibitors, or PPIs, are medicines used to treat the symptoms of many stomach problems, but they don’t cure these conditions. PPIs can only help alleviate symptoms, such as acid reflux or stomach pain, in the short term. However, when they are taken for a long time, they have risks like fractures (broken bones) and kidney disease. Discuss with your doctor about how to use PPIs for your symptoms, and when to stop taking them. Getting tested for H. pylori and treated if necessary prevents complications from taking PPIs for too long.

H. pylori Resources and Education

Knowledge is Power. Visit these links to keep learning more about H. pylori.

Resources for Medical Providers

Resources for Patients and Caregivers

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