Common Symptoms of H. Pylori (and what to do if you think you have it)
H. Pylori (or Helicobacter pylori) is a bacteria with a spiral-shaped tail that has the ability to burrow into the lining of our stomach 🥴
This bacteria is very common — it’s estimated that 50% of our population has been infected with it at some point. In certain cases, this infection can lead to the development of things like gastritis, ulcers, and even stomach cancer.
H. Pylori can be passed from person to person via saliva, and can easily move throughout a household. It can be found in water sources from fecal contamination. Our pets can even contract this bug! 🐛
As you can probably imagine, this bacteria can really impact the integrity of our stomach lining and reduce our body’s ability to secrete stomach acid.
We need enough stomach acid in order to neutralize pathogens, digest proteins, help us absorb B12, and create an acidic-enough environment to “trigger” the stomach’s contents to release into the small intestine for further digestion and absorption.
That being said — H. Pylori infections can have a cascading effect on the rest of our digestion.
In this article, we’re going to dig into some of the common signs and symptoms associated with H. Pylori, the potential downstream effects on our digestion, and how you can get tested if you think you might have it!
Signs & Symptoms of an H. Pylori Infection
How the presence of H. Pylori impacts a person varies greatly. In some people, having H. Pylori present won’t contribute to any signs or symptoms — they might have no idea they’re carrying these little bugs! In other people, H. Pylori can lead to a lot of common signs and symptoms that folks struggle with.
Here are some of the common signs and symptoms associated with H. Pylori:
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), or acid reflux
burping
nausea (especially on an empty stomach)
pain or discomfort in the stomach acid (especially on an empty stomach)
eating food relieves nausea and discomfort
hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)
bloating
loss of appetite
feeling full after consuming a small amount of food
trouble digesting protein
Downstream Effects of H. Pylori
Often when folks have H. Pylori, it tends to be associated with something we refer to as “digestive dysfunction dysbiosis.”
Because of how H. Pylori impacts the body’s ability to secrete stomach acid, we can see a domino effect further along the digestive tract:
beneficial flora can overgrow, potentially indicative of a pro-inflammatory environment (you know what they say about too much of a good thing 😬)
opportunistic bacteria, yeast, and even parasites can overgrow (which can lead to a variety of digestive symptoms!)
we might have trouble digesting our food (especially proteins), and experience reduced absorption and malnutrition as a result (especially in nutrients like B12 (which require stomach acid as part of its absorption process), iron, vitamin C, and more)
we might experience symptoms like altered motility, gas and bloating, acid reflux and heartburn, SIBO, IBS, food sensitivities and intolerances, stomach or abdominal discomfort, and more
What to do if you think you have H. Pylori
I definitely recommend seeking out testing to see whether H. Pylori is present.
Conventional testing methods include blood work or a breath test that you can get a requisition for from your doctor. If you have a gastroenterologist, they can perform a biopsy of the stomach to test whether H. Pylori is present.
The method of testing I use with clients is with the GI MAP stool test, which uses PCR technology to test for the DNA of specific microorganisms — H. Pylori included!
If you determine that you have H. Pylori, you can work with your doctor to eradicate the infection with antibiotics.
Likewise if you prefer to avoid antibiotic use, and would like to use herbal anti-microbials, there are herbal remedies like mastic gum that have been shown in studies to be effective against H. Pylori infections (this is part of the protocol that I use clinically to help my clients self-treat for this infection!).
Symptom Support for H. Pylori
While it’s really important to determine whether or not H. Pylori is present and contributing to your symptoms, in order to move forward in eradicating it — there are things you can put in place to help manage the symptoms associated with it!
Here are some of my favourite herbal supports if you’re struggling with common upper GI symptoms often experienced with an H. Pylori infection:
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) has demulcent properties, which are extremely protective for the gastric mucosa in the stomach, and can even protect against the development of ulcers, which is sometimes seen with H. Pylori infections. This is a great natural alternative to PPI’s and tums!
Marshmallow Root is a demulcent and mucilaginous herb, which is helpful for alleviating irritation of the intestinal lining, and helps to reduce sensitivity of gastric tissue.
Slippery Elm, similar to marshmallow root is a demulcent and mucilaginous herb, which likewise helps to sooth and protect gastric tissue.
You’ll often find DGL in chewable tabs that can be taken as needed to aid with symptoms. Marshmallow root and slippery elm are found in many formulas designed to support the upper GI, a well as in herbal tea blends, like this one!
** always check with your practitioner prior to taking any supplementation, in case of allergies of contraindications **
When to take Next Steps
If you’re struggling with any of the symptoms mentioned above — especially things like acid reflux, nausea on an empty stomach, excessive burping, etc. — it might be worthwhile to see if it’s our not-so-welcome pal H. Pylori that’s hanging around.
If you want to investigate further to see if this bacteria is the reason you’re struggling with your digestion, I invite you to book a free discovery call here, to learn more about working together ☎️
