Imagine there is a tiny, twisty little bug living in your stomach. It is called Helicobacter Pylori, while it sounds small and insignificant – it causes pretty huge medical conditions. It is a persistent, unwelcome guest that irritates and inflames your stomach lining.
It is a major player in lot of gastrointestinal issues like:
- Dyspepsia – Makes you feel pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen.
- Gastritis – Stomach lining gets irritated and inflamed.
- Gastric ulcers – Stomach lining develops sores.
If you ignore H-pylori and it hangs around for long, the risk to develop gastric cancer increases. That is why it is essential to find out if you have this bug or not. There are several test options doctors use to identify the pesky H.pylori.
Biopsy test
The H pylori Urease test from Jant Pharmacal is a fast, accurate and convenient way to find out if you got this stomach bug. This biopsy test is like a hawk with 99% accuracy rate. No one likes to wait around for test results? You get answers in just one hour. That’s pretty quick! The test looks for a special enzyme called urease, which the bug produces. If the tiny biopsy sample from your stomach lining has the presence of the enzyme, you will know. It is a dry test and doesn’t need a fridge or mix of different liquids, so take it anywhere. At Jant you will get this test at an affordable rate, just give them a call!
The breath test
You have to drink a solution containing urea. If you have h.pylori in the stomach, it will break down the urea. The breakdown releases carbon dioxide gas, which will show up in a device that measures carbon dioxide from your breath. If CO2 is more H.pylori is possibly present.
People like this method because it is less invasive and gives quick results. The downside is it is not accurate as the Urease test. You get a general idea!
Stool antigen test
You provide stool sample and the test looks for H.pylori in it. If it finds the bug, it means you have active infection. You can do the test at home but if there is a small amount present the test may not catch it. Still, many people like it because it is easy and doesn’t involves needles or scopes.
Serological tests
Serological tests look for antibodies, which are tiny defenders your body generates to combat H. pylori. This test can identify if you ever had the bug but they cannot say if it is still hanging around causing trouble. It means they show the footprint that H.pylori was there but not if they are still around. Doctors use these to gain a bigger picture alongside other tests that confirm an active infection.
How doctors determine which test is right?
Basically, when figuring out the best H.pylori test option, doctors think about your entire medical history.
- If you have had serious stomach issues before, they may suggest the super-accurate urease test.
- If your symptoms are mild, they suggest stool or breath tests.
- Sometimes, they will even use a mix of tests to be extra sure.
In the end, it is a team effort! You and your doctor will decide together, which H.pylori test makes the most sense. It is about finding the best fit for your situation, so you get the right diagnosis and accurate treatment.
