Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a contagious bacterium found in the stomach, and it is present in about half of the world's population.

Most people with chronic gastritis or duodenitis have no symptoms. However, some people develop more serious problems, such as ulcers of the stomach or duodenum. Ulcers may cause various symptoms or none at all. The most common ulcer symptoms caused by Helicobacter pylori are:

• Pain or discomfort
• Bloating
• Feeling full after eating only a small amount
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dark or tarry stools
• Fatigue
• Low red blood cell count due to bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Frequent belching
• Unintentional weight loss
• Bad breath

Rarely, chronic gastritis causes abnormal changes in the stomach lining. This can, in rare cases, lead to the development of certain forms of cancer. People who are infected with H. pylori at an early age have a higher risk of developing stomach cancer.

Helicobacter pylori can be detected by a urea breath test, a stool antigen test or a biopsy taken during endoscopy; endoscopy is preferred when alarm symptoms are present. It can be treated with a 10-14 day course of medication. Before the test, PPIs (stomach-protecting drugs) should be stopped for 2 weeks, and antibiotics and bismuth for 4 weeks; the eradication check should be done at least 4 weeks after treatment.

To have your test done in Northern Cyprus, please contact our Nicosia or Kyrenia branch. We wish you good health!