Can a gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori?

Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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The examination with a gastroscope mainly focuses on checking for any damage to the mucous membranes of the stomach and esophagus. It can detect gastritis, gastric ulcers, or stomach cancer. For some patients who might have a tendency toward cancerous changes, a pathological examination can be conducted. However, testing for Helicobacter pylori with a gastroscope requires a separate lab test. Therefore, routine gastroscopic examinations generally do not include testing for Helicobacter pylori. If testing for Helicobacter pylori is needed, it is a separate examination item. Nowadays, since undergoing a gastroscopy can be quite uncomfortable and cause symptoms like nausea for some people, testing for Helicobacter pylori is accurately conducted using a breath test.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Is erosive gastritis related to Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori infection has been confirmed as the primary cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Erosive chronic gastritis is a type of chronic gastritis, thus there is a certain relationship between erosive gastritis and Helicobacter pylori, but not all chronic gastritis is caused by Helicobacter pylori; some are, but others are not. Therefore, if erosive gastritis occurs, it is necessary to conduct a carbon-14 breath test to determine whether there is an infection of Helicobacter pylori. If the Helicobacter pylori infection is positive, a 14-day anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment should be administered. The treatment includes a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. After treatment, most of the Helicobacter pylori will convert from positive to negative.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is a gastroscopy examination accurate for detecting Helicobacter pylori?

Gastroscope testing for Helicobacter pylori is conducted under a gastroscope and is quite accurate. However, nowadays, if one is only testing for Helicobacter pylori, it generally does not require an endoscopic examination, since undergoing a gastroscope is an uncomfortable process that can cause nausea. Currently, Helicobacter pylori can be detected using a breath test method involving carbon-13 or carbon-14. This involves swallowing a capsule and then performing a breath test. It is crucial to fast before the test, as eating can affect the accuracy of the results. Therefore, although gastroscope testing for Helicobacter pylori is accurate, it is less commonly used nowadays.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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How to treat Helicobacter pylori infection?

Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as a major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even gastric cancer. The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in China is very high, exceeding 50%. It is related to the dietary structure in China, often linked significantly to the practice of sharing dishes during meals, which correlates with China's dietary habits. If someone tests positive for Helicobacter pylori and has symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, such as indigestion, stomach pain, or bloating, then it is necessary to undergo treatment for Helicobacter pylori. The current standard treatment for Helicobacter pylori involves quadruple therapy: a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. This combination of medications is administered over a period of 14 days, representing the standardized treatment for Helicobacter pylori.

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Written by Peng Miao Yun
Internal Medicine
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What should I do if I have a Helicobacter pylori infection?

Helicobacter pylori is closely related to the occurrence of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric cancer, but not everyone infected with Helicobacter pylori will develop chronic gastritis or gastric ulcers. Infections can be diagnosed with a breath test, where values more than twice the normal level, accompanied by symptoms of gastritis, gastric ulcers, stomach distension, stomach pain, and acid reflux, should be considered for antibacterial and stomach-protective treatment. Generally, with standard treatment, 90% of Helicobacter pylori can be eradicated within one to two weeks. However, reinfection is common as it can be found in food and utensils and transmitted through saliva. It is generally advised that children under 14 and individuals with low levels of Helicobacter pylori without obvious stomach inflammation symptoms do not require immediate treatment.

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Written by Huang Gang
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Does superficial gastritis infected with Helicobacter pylori need treatment?

Superficial gastritis, after infection with Helicobacter pylori, requires treatment. If not actively symptomatic treated, the condition can worsen and frequently relapse, increasing the risk of malignancy. For superficial gastritis with Helicobacter pylori, initial treatment can involve natural therapies to control and eradicate Helicobacter pylori completely. Subsequently, based on individual clinical symptoms, treatment should focus on chronic superficial gastritis. Regular maintenance primarily involves being cautious with diet, avoiding spicy foods, and refraining from consuming food that is too cold, too sweet, too hard, or too acidic, as well as overly stimulating foods.