H. pylori – all you need to know

H. pylori infection is a widespread problem…

Get the facts that most doctors aren’t sharing.

H. pylori infection is a common issue, but there’s a lot of information you may not hear from your doctor. If you’ve recently been diagnosed or experienced a treatment that didn’t work, you’re not alone—many people face the same challenges.

We’re here to help you understand more about H. pylori and how to manage it effectively. Having the right knowledge is key to regaining your health quickly and safely. Here’s how we can support you:

• How you got infected with H. pylori
• The 12 most common symptoms of H. pylori that may be affecting you
• The 10 important facts about H. pylori that most people aren’t told
• How to make sure that your treatment will be both safe and effective

Key Facts About H. pylori:

• You are not alone: H. pylori is present in 75% of the world’s population. While it’s common, it only becomes a problem when it multiplies and leads to an infection.
• If you’re experiencing H. pylori or stomach ulcer symptoms, you might be infected too. Make sure to get a proper diagnosis for accurate treatment.

Why this matters:

Your health is our priority, and we’re here to give you the information you need to get better safely—just like over 55,000 happy customers have before you. H. pylori may seem tough to beat, especially if past treatments haven’t worked, but with the right approach, it’s possible to overcome it.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of H. pylori or stomach ulcer symptoms, you may well be infected too. An online check against your symptoms should be used as a guide only – it’s best to ensure you get a proper diagnosis to make sure.

What exactly is H. pylori?

H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can settle and grow in your digestive system. It’s designed in a way that helps it survive in your stomach, even while lowering the amount of stomach acid you need to digest food properly.

This bacterium stays safe in your stomach by producing an enzyme called urease, which weakens the stomach acid around it. This creates a little bubble of safety for the H. pylori to live in. From there, it digs into the protective lining of your stomach, which usually keeps your stomach safe from its own acid.

Over time, this can cause stomach ulcers, which may lead to additional uncomfortable symptoms.

The 12 most common symptoms of H. pylori infections

• Heartburn or Acid Reflux (GERD) 
  – Whether these symptoms occur on a regular, or even infrequent basis, you may infected with H. pylori.
• Diarrhea, Constipation, Flatulence, Bloating 
  – Because H. pylori interferes with acid in your stomach, you can’t digest food properly.
• Fatigue and Low Energy Levels 
  – H pylori creates a non-stop stress on your body, making you feel tired. Added to the possibility that you are not digesting your food properly, your body is not getting the correct nourishment to maintain it’s proper energy levels.
• Nausea & Vomiting 
  – Many people feel nauseous when with H. pylori infections. Sometimes this can mistaken for pregnancy morning sickness. In some cases, vomiting does occur.
• Unplanned Weight and Muscle Loss 
  – Because H pylori affects acid levels (which affect the digestive process of fats and proteins especially) you may notice that you are losing weight. The problem is that this weight loss is due to muscle loss, which is a dangerous way to lose weight.
• Difficulty Losing Weight 
  – This is a surprising symptom because it is opposite to the above. When your body is stressed it produces cortisol. Depending on the person cortisol can cause either weight loss or weight gain. Cortisol can promote weight gain around the stomach area, and at the same time can also cause muscle loss.
• Hormonal Symptoms including Mood Swings & PMS 
  – An over production of Cortisol caused by the stresses of the body trying to deal with infections usually causes these symptoms.
• Depression and Anxiety 
  – A healthy digestive system can lead to the production of a very important mood chemical (called serotonin). Any damage to your stomach by an H. pylori infection will lead to a shortage of this important chemical. This in turn, leads to these symptoms.
• Gum Disease, Bad Breath and other Oral infections 
  – Although the H pylori bacteria lives mostly in the stomach and small intestines, it has also been found in the mouth, and even in dental cavities.
• Bad breath
  – H. pylori infection can contribute to the development of halitosis or bad breath. this is because H. pylori produces urease, an enzyme that breaks down urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Ammonia is known to contribute to a foul smell in the mouth.
• Anemia
   – If the infection causes bleeding in the stomach or small intestine, it can lead to iron-deficiency anemia.
• Blocked nose, painful sinuses, colds and infections
   – Most people are unaware that the sinuses are joined to the digestive system, and that any irritation to the digestive system can cause sinus problems.

The effects of H. pylori can differ from person to person…

The effects of H. pylori can vary from person to person, and it’s important to understand how this bacteria can impact your health. For many, H. pylori may not cause any noticeable issues until it reaches a certain level of infection. In some people, a low or mild inflammatory response can allow the infection to progress without any symptoms at all. On the other hand, individuals with a stronger inflammatory response might experience more severe symptoms even with a lower level of infection.

If you have been diagnosed with stomach ulcers, there is a strong chance that you may also have an H. pylori infection. To be certain, it’s always best to seek a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional. You can learn more about testing and diagnosis by clicking here.

Sadly, there is a significant link between H. pylori and gastric cancer. In fact, about 50% of new gastric cancer cases are associated with the presence of this bacteria in the digestive tract. Chronic H. pylori infections can cause long-term inflammation and damage to the stomach lining, which can increase the risk of developing gastric cancer if left untreated. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone with H. pylori will develop cancer, and other factors also contribute to the disease.

The risk of stomach ulcers developing increases as the level of H. pylori infection increases!

What Causes H. pylori Infections?

H. pylori can be spread through:

• Saliva: Close contact like kissing can transmit the bacteria.
• Vomit or fecal matter: It can spread through contact with contaminated vomit or feces.
• Pre-chewed food: Sharing food that has been pre-chewed, especially for babies, can pass on the infection.
• Contaminated food or water: Consuming food or drinks that aren’t properly cleaned or prepared.
• Poor hygiene: Not washing hands well after using the bathroom can lead to infection.
• Unclean utensils and restaurants: Eating from unwashed utensils or dining in places with poor hygiene.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Certain groups of people are more likely to get infected:

• Travelers to developing countries: These regions may have lower standards of sanitation and food safety.
• Older adults: Risk increases with age, as the body becomes more susceptible.
• People with low Vitamin D levels: Lack of sun exposure can lead to lower immunity, increasing vulnerability.
• People with low stomach acid: Stomach acid helps kill harmful bacteria, so lower levels can allow infections to thrive. This is more common in older adults and those under chronic stress.
• People using antacid medications: Medications like proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid, increasing the chance of infection.

Important Information About H. pylori Treatments

It’s important to know that traditional triple therapy treatments for H. pylori are often not effective, with failure rates as high as 70%. Continue reading to learn why these treatments may not work and what other options are available.

The 10 facts about H. pylori that most doctors won’t disclose

Here are 10 important facts about H. pylori that are rarely discussed during doctor visits. These can help you avoid unnecessary treatments and improve your recovery:

• Antibiotic resistance: H. pylori has become resistant to the most common drug treatments, making recovery difficult for many patients.
• Accurate diagnosis is key: Getting the right diagnosis is critical, but what’s even more important is proper re-testing after treatment to confirm it’s been successful.
• Beware of inaccurate tests: Many people are retested using unreliable methods, leading to false positive results.
• False positives mean unnecessary treatments: These inaccurate results may cause you to undergo additional treatments that aren’t needed, wasting time and money.
• Limited treatment options: Most doctors only have two primary treatments for H. pylori: Triple Therapy or Quadruple Therapy, which aren’t always effective.
• Side effects from medications: The drugs prescribed for H. pylori often come with unpleasant side effects, causing many people to stop treatment before it’s complete.
• Treatment side effects can become the main issue: Doctors may end up focusing more on treating the side effects of Triple Therapy than on the original infection.
• Repeat infections are common: Even after completing multiple rounds of treatment, many patients still test positive for H. pylori.
• Risk of Candida overgrowth: The antibiotics used in Triple or Quadruple Therapy can lead to Candida overgrowth, a condition that brings its own set of problems.
• Candida goes unnoticed: Up to 65% of people with H. pylori infections will also have Candida, but many won’t even know it’s there.

Understanding these facts can help you make better decisions about your treatment plan and ensure you’re fully informed when discussing options with your doctor.

More facts for more perspective…

There are 6 more facts worth knowing about Helicobacter pylori infections. These are widely-known facts, but still worth taking note of if you want to know more about h. pylori infections.

H. pylori is the ONLY bacterial organism that can survive in the hydrochloric acid produced by your stomach.