We test every single patient for H. pylori. So, we get to see a LOT of H. pylori. And it’s very interesting what we see, and what we don’t see, when it comes to H. pylori.

We see thousands of patients, and every one of them is tested for H. pylori, amongst a lot of other things that we also test for.

H. pylori is a very interesting organism. It can live in the acidic environment of the stomach, and it has the potential to produce virulence factors that can make it a very bad actor.

However, I’ll be that you didn’t know that most people who have H. pylori do not have any digestive problems.

H pylori is often called an infection, but it is present in about 50% of the world population. And there is some evidence that is part of a normal healthy microbiome.

So, it’s not easy or simple to make a conclusion about H. pylori simply based on its presence.

About 10% of people with H. pylori with get a stomach ulcer, but that’s only possible if you are positive for the virulence factors that can be associated with H pylori. Many, maybe even most people with H. pylori do not have any virulence factors.

Also, H. pylori is associated with gastric cancer, but 97% of people with h pylori do not get gastric cancer.

One of the key differences is in the type or strain of H pylori that is present. In order for H. pylori to cause an ulcer, it must produce virulence factors. Studies suggest that about half of all cases of H. pylori do produce virulence factors.

However, in my clinical experience it is much lower. I would say that less than 10% of all cases of H. pylori include virulence factors. And we test everyone for H pylori and for virulence factors.

I highly recommend that these virulence factors be a part of any test for H pylori. They help to discern between higher and lower potential for H pylori to be problematic.

Even though H pylori is associated primarily with stomach ulcers, it can also cause burping, fatigue, bloating, abdominal pain, and an upset stomach.

I can literally name well over 100 other things that can also cause those exact symptoms. So, it’s not easy to determine if the presence of H. pylori is fine or is bad.

We make that determination based on a clinical experience, and taking into account a whole lot of other data that we get on the microbiome in a person’s digestive system. And then within that context, we decide whether or not it should be treated.

Unfortunately, H pylori is not a simple good or bad bacteria. And to compound things, it can be difficult to treat.

The standard conventional approach is a triple drug therapy. This treatment works about 75% of the time. But more problematic, using antibiotics can potentially make digestive problems worse, which is especially a risk when it comes to treating digestive problems.

Fortunately, there are also natural treatments that also work quite well, such as monolaurin, bismuth, and mastic gum. Other natural antimicrobial agents may also be effective.

So, clear as mud, right? If you like the facts, then you’ve come to right place. If you want things to be simple, then my videos are probably not for you.

But I hope that you found all of this valuable. If so, please give this video a thumbs up, and subscribe to my channel for more information about your digestive health.

And if you need help with H pylori or digestive problems, give us a call at the IBS Treatment Center. This is our specialty, and we can help you regardless of where you live.

Related Content:

Your Negative Stool Test Was Wrong!  

Abdominal Migraines: Understanding the Cause and Finding Relief

All About Microscopic Colitis

All About Lymphocytic Colitis

‍