H. pylori Test explained

Helicobacter pylori lives in the stomach lining. It is extremely common worldwide, often acquired in childhood, and it causes most stomach and duodenal ulcers. Who should be tested, and how a positive result is treated and then confirmed cleared, follows the American College of Gastroenterology guideline. A positive explains long-running symptoms: Persistent indigestion, burning stomach pain, bloating and nausea — often treated with antacids for years without anyone asking why.

Fasting: Not needed. Best time: Collected at home, brought in during opening hours. Avoid beforehand: Antibiotics in the previous 4 weeks; Acid-reducing medicines in the previous 2 weeks; Bismuth-containing indigestion remedies. Collect into a container from the clinic. Tell the doctor if you have taken any of the above — the test is better delayed than repeated.

Commonly: antibiotics taken in the previous four weeks; acid-reducing medicines in the previous two weeks; bismuth-containing indigestion remedies; a previous treated infection, depending on the test used. A single result is not a diagnosis. Values are read against the laboratory's own reference range and alongside your history, your symptoms and the rest of the panel — which is why every package includes a doctor to go through them with you.

At Smart Care Polyclinic, 29 Doha Centre, Al Maktoum Rd, Deira, Dubai. It is included in the Smart Extra Health, or it can be ordered on its own. Walk in during opening hours or call +971 (0)4 379 3562.