Stomach Ulcers and Helicobacter pylori — November 2023

Surprise: a tiny bacterium is behind many stomach ulcers. In November 2023 we published a clear guide explaining how Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) harms your stomach lining, what symptoms to watch for, how doctors test for it, and practical steps to treat and prevent it.

What H. pylori does and how you feel

H. pylori lives in the stomach and wears down the protective mucus that keeps acid from burning the lining. That damage can cause open sores called peptic ulcers. Typical signs include a burning or gnawing pain between meals or at night, bloating, belching, nausea, and loss of appetite. If an ulcer bleeds you might notice dark or tarry stools, vomiting blood, or sudden severe pain — those are medical emergency signs. Not everyone with H. pylori has pain, though, so a lack of symptoms doesn't always mean you’re clear.

Two common myths: stress and spicy food don’t directly cause ulcers. They can make symptoms worse, but H. pylori and long-term NSAID use are the usual culprits.

Testing, treatment, and simple next steps

If you have persistent stomach pain, see a doctor and ask about testing for H. pylori. Reliable tests are the urea breath test and the stool antigen test. Blood antibody tests can show past exposure and are less useful for current infection. In some cases — for severe symptoms or complications — a doctor may recommend an endoscopy to look at the lining directly and take a biopsy.

Treatment aims to kill the bacteria and reduce acid so the lining can heal. Standard care is a short course (usually 10–14 days) of two antibiotics plus a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Common antibiotics used are clarithromycin, amoxicillin, or metronidazole. Finish the full course even if you feel better. After treatment, doctors often confirm eradication with a breath or stool test at least four weeks later because antibiotics can fail if bacteria are resistant.

Practical things you can do right away: stop or limit NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), quit smoking, and avoid heavy alcohol — these slow healing. Eat regular, balanced meals; no magic foods cure ulcers, but avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms helps. If you’re prescribed medication, follow dosing instructions, and tell your doctor about allergies or prior antibiotic use.

If you have repeating symptoms after treatment, talk to your doctor about antibiotic resistance and alternative regimens. If you experience severe pain, vomiting blood, fainting, or black stools, get urgent medical help.

This November post gives a practical, no-nonsense look at how H. pylori causes ulcers and what you can do. If you think you might have an ulcer, testing and timely treatment usually lead to a full recovery.