Can you eat sweets during the treatment for Helicobacter pylori?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on October 23, 2024
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During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is permissible to eat sweets. During this period, it is necessary to avoid spicy and irritating foods, as well as avoid drinking strong alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and so on. It is recommended to consume more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, as well as nutritious and light foods. Smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided, and meals should be regular and in measured quantities. Since sweet foods are not considered spicy or irritating, they can be consumed during the treatment of Helicobacter pylori. After the treatment of a Helicobacter pylori infection, it is necessary to wait one month after stopping the medication before a follow-up examination to confirm whether the bacteria have been completely eradicated.

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
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Can a gastroscopy examine Helicobacter pylori?

Can a gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori? Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria, thus it cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, recent research shows that Helicobacter pylori is closely related to certain mucosal appearances observed under endoscopy. Therefore, endoscopists can infer the infection of Helicobacter pylori based on certain mucosal appearances. However, if a patient is just testing for Helicobacter pylori infection, there is no need for a gastroscopy. We can choose some non-invasive methods such as the carbon-13 breath test, carbon-14 breath test, stool antigen test, and serological antibody test, which are commonly used detection methods. Moreover, after treatment for Helicobacter pylori, it is recommended to choose the carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath test, as they are quite accurate.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Do normal people have Helicobacter pylori?

In my understanding, a “normal person” refers to individuals who do not experience any stomach discomfort. In our country, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori is extremely high, with reports indicating that over 50% of adults are infected, albeit asymptomatically. Thus, it is certain that many so-called "normal people" are infected with Helicobacter pylori, also known as asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori carriers. This condition also requires antibacterial treatment because there is a close relationship between Helicobacter pylori and gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer. Even for patients with chronic superficial gastritis, if Helicobacter pylori is present, eradication therapy is advocated. If not completely eradicated, it often leads to the development of chronic atrophic gastritis, which is a more serious condition.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
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Can a gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori?

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 Jiang Guo Ming
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Can a gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori?

First, it is important to clarify that a gastroscopy and a Helicobacter pylori test are two completely different methods. Generally speaking, a gastroscopy cannot detect whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection. A gastroscopy specifically involves passing through the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and finally reaching the descending part of the duodenum. It allows clear observation of whether there is inflammation, ulcers, or neoplastic diseases in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and it is the clearest and most direct method for examining the upper gastrointestinal tract. Helicobacter pylori testing, on the other hand, can generally be conducted in several ways. Firstly, blood can be drawn to test for Helicobacter pylori antibodies. Secondly, a breath test can be done, which is currently the most commonly used method, such as the carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath tests. Other methods include taking a biopsy during gastroscopy for a rapid urease test, and culturing bacteria from a biopsy. Therefore, gastroscopy cannot be used to test for Helicobacter pylori.

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Can a gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacterium that can easily infect and cause chronic gastritis, and it even has the potential to lead to cancer. Therefore, patients with Helicobacter pylori generally require formal treatment. In terms of diagnostics, Helicobacter pylori can be detected through a gastroscopy, but the bacteria cannot be detected by gastroscopy alone; the test for Helicobacter pylori is performed under the scope. However, the current main method for testing Helicobacter pylori is through a breath test, since undergoing a gastroscopy just to test for the bacteria can be quite uncomfortable. Moreover, the accuracy of the breath test is relatively high, so currently, Helicobacter pylori is generally detected via breath testing rather than gastroscopy.