What is H Pylori?

Written By Megan Taylor

What is H. pylori?

H pylori is short for Helicobacter pylori, and it is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach lining. It's a common cause of peptic ulcers and can lead to various gastrointestinal issues. In this article, we'll explore what H. pylori is, how it affects the body, and the available treatment options.

 Discovered in 1982 by Australian scientists Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, this spiral shaped bacterium has been linked to the development of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even stomach cancer. It's estimated that about half of the world's population is infected with H. pylori, although many people never experience symptoms.

 How is H. Pylori spread?

The exact mode of transmission is not fully understood, but it's believed that H. pylori spreads through direct contact with saliva, vomit, or fecal matter. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food or water. Poor sanitation and crowded living conditions are significant risk factors for infection.

What are the symptoms?

In my experience as a health care practitioner, the symptoms that my clients present with are often:

  • Chronic bloating and burping

  • Skin issues (the majority of skin issues are due to poor gut health)

  • Poor nutrient status (on HTMA) often due to the malabsorption that occurs

  • Peptic ulcers

  • Pain in the abdomen

  • Nausea/vomiting

  • Sometimes asymptomatic but struggling with exhaustion, burn out, and fatigue

How is H. pylori diagnosed?

Pinpointing a H. pylori infection typically involves one or more of the following tests:

In my practice I use GI mapping and stool antigen testing which can detect the presence of H.Pylori antigens in a stool sample.

Other tests include:

  • Urea breath test: A non-invasive test that measures carbon dioxide in the breath after swallowing a urea solution.

  • Blood test: Checks for antibodies against H. pylori, although this method is less commonly used due to its inability to distinguish between past and current infections.

  • Endoscopy with biopsy: A more invasive procedure where a tissue sample from the stomach lining is taken for analysis.

Treatment options for H. Pylori:

Due to being trained in both conventional medicine and functional medicine, I will share both approaches and tell you which one I believe is most effective and why.

A Conventional approach:

The standard treatment for H. pylori infection is a combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing medications, known as triple therapy.

This typically includes:

  • Two antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and clarithromycin, to kill the bacteria.

  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce stomach acid and promote healing.

In some cases, a bismuth compound may be added to the regimen, creating a quadruple therapy. It's crucial to complete the full course of treatment to ensure the infection is eradicated. 

A Functional medicine approach:

Functional medicine seeks to care for the body as a whole. As a Functional Medicine Practitioner, here is an example of how I approach H. Pylori:

  • I begin by addressing vagus nerve health because the vagus nerve impacts the over all enteric nervous system which impacts gut health. If you have a hard time coming out of fight or flight mode for example, it will impact your ability to digest and absorb food and fight off infection because those things are reliant on your parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest).

  • I then use a comprehensive protocol depending on your unique needs. I like to begin by supporting the gut lining with a blend of herbs like GI relief.

  • I also prefer to use Mastic gum. Mastic gum is a natural resin and an ancient remedy used for thousands of years to treat chronic gut issues and has been found to significantly inhibit the growth of H.Pylori. In my experience, people respond really well to it.  

  • I do not prefer to jump to antibiotics because we need good gut bacteria to fight off bad bacteria. Completely obliterating both bacteria with antibiotics in my opinion, is not best practice and often leads to worsening symptoms. Antibiotics can be life saving but are not always indicated.

To learn more about optimizing your gut health through a functional lens, check out my Nourish Your Gut Workshop!

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9498111/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534233/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19879118/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5481734/

Megan Taylor
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