H. Pylori
H. Pylori (Helicobacter Pylori) is a cylindrical bacteria that lives in the lining of some people’s stomach. In some people, when there is a lot of H. Pylori, it can cause problems:
- Acid reflux
- Upper GI pain
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling of fullness
- Gastric Ulcer
- Gastric Cancer
It is now known that H. Pylori can cause bloating, gas production, diarrhoea, constipation, dysbiosis and halitosis and hyperemesis gravitum.
There are now indications that H Pylori infection can have extra-intestinal manifestation: that means, impacts other organs / organ systems in our body apart from the Gastrointestinal System.
Here are some definite links between H. Pylori and other Medical Conditions
- immune thrombocytopenic purpura
- iron deficiency anemia
- urticaria
- Parkinson’s
- migraines and;
- rosacea
Below is a list of probable other medical conditions linked to H. Pylori (these require further research to confirm links as some research shows link and others don’t).
- Coronary artery disease
- Asthma
- Metabolic syndrome
- Insulin resistance and diabetes
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
Who should be tested?
- Those who have dyspepsia or stomach ulcer
- Possibly those with migraine, ongoing iron deficiency anaemia despite supplementation and no other known cause.
How H. Pylori is tested?
- Breath Test: H Pylori converts urea into carbon dioxide. The breath collected after a solution with urea has been drank by the patient can show high levels of carbon dioxide if H Pylori is present. This test is useful for pregnant mothers and children. This test is the gold standard test for H Pylori.
- Blood Test: This test is not as accurate as it can show both recent or past infection (giving false positives).
- Stool Test: This shows presence of active bacteria. While this is a cheap, non-invasive test, This test can have problems if the culture has been contaminated and the amount of H. Pylori is stool can be affected by presence of bile salt.
- Gastroscopy: During gastroscopy, your gastroenterologist can take a sample of the lining of stomach and send it to the lab for analysis. This is the most accurate method.
So what do you do if you have the above symptoms?
You can talk to your GP and get a stool test done. But note the accuracy of these tests stated above.
Before you do breath test or stool test, it is important to stop the use of acid producing inhibitors, antibiotics or bismuth products for at least 4 weeks.
A Case Study
This is a case study that stood out to Prem Nand, Clinical Dietitian – Nutritionist.
A woman in her 40s had ongoing constipation, poor appetite, bloating, nausea, extremely fatigued. She had been to her GP and given laxatives to help with constipation. This did not help. She did the stool test. Stool test showed likely H Pylori presence. Treatment with PPI and diet undertaken. Bowel motions became regular with major reduction in bloating and nausea. Energy improvement after a few weeks.
Maximised Nutrition has a nutritional protocol to help with eliminating H Pylori as part of overall strategy.
References:
1. H. Pylori Infections: https://medlineplus.gov/helicobacterpyloriinfections.html
2. Wong F, Rayner-Hartley E, Byrne M. Extra-intestinal manifestations of H. Pylori: a concise review. World Journal of Gastroenterology. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Sep 14; 20(34): 11950–11961. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4161781/#:~:text=Current%20evidence%20most%20supports%20extraintestinal,diseases%20that%20requires%20further%20research.
3. Patel SK et al. Diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori: What should be the gold standard? World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Sep 28; 20(36): 12847–12859. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4177467/