H.Pylori Testing and Treatment
A Functional Medicine Approach to H.Pylori
Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is the bacteria responsible for most ulcers both stomach and duodenal ulcers and one of the causes of gastritis in the stomach.
Most people infected with H pylori will not develop symptoms and will not develop complications.
It is present in approximately one-half of the world’s population. It can also cause a number of symptoms including heartburn/GERD, bloating, and distension amongst upper GI symptoms.
H.Pylori risk factors
H. pylori is probably spread by eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated with the organism excreted in feces of infected individuals.
The bacteria infect the protective tissue that lines the stomach which leads to the release of toxins and enzymes which can cause a immune response. This can lead to injury to the cells of the stomach or duodenum. This leads to chronic inflammation in the walls of the stomach or the duodenum.
Because of these changes, digestive juices such as stomach acid can cause damage to the stomach and duodenum.
Infection in the UK and other western countries are more prevalent in adults than in young children.
Common Symptoms
- Pain or discomfort in the upper GI
- Bloating
- Feeling full after eating a small amount of food
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blood in the stool
- Fatigue
- Aniexty/Depression
- IBS symptoms
H.Pylori Treatment
We treat Helicobacter pylori infections at the London Centre for Functional Medicine with the aim of reducing pain, resolving the infection and healing the stomach and small intestine lining, as well as preventing any infection recurrence.
Antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors are among the typical treatments for Helicobacter pylori infections, however, these treatments can have short and long terms effects on the gut microbiome.
Due to this, a functional medicine approach may be used as a substitute for conventional medications, or in conjunction with conventional medications to decrease the dosage of conventional medications required to treat Helicobacter pylori infection symptoms.
A typical approach to treating Helicobacter pylori infection at the London Centre for Functional Medicine is as follows:
- Removing foods from your diet that irritate the gut wall.
- Removing the overgrowth of H-Pylori through botanical medicines
- Using beneficial bacteria to help modulate the immune response
- Using bespoke supplements to heal the gut lining
H.Pylori Approach
Optimal Nutrition and Absorption
One of the main aspects of a successful recovery is a diet that includes avoiding or heavily reducing foods that feed the bacteria including sugar, alcohol, gluten, all kinds of vinegar and grains
Supplement Support
We can use a number of different strategies that include specific probiotics that contain friendly bacteria that target the H.Pylori infection and stimulate the immune system.
Testing
There are 3 types of tests you can use to detect for H.Pylori including a breath test, stool and blood tests, however, the more accurate of all three are the breath test and stool test. Some of the stool tests including GI MAPP have more markers for H.Pylori which can be beneficial to assess the virulence factors.
Targeted Treatments
Our practitioners can recommend additional treatment or lifestyle interventions that have proven effects to help you overcome H-pylori infections..
Our Client's Feedback
Why Choose the London Centre for Functional Medicine?
Support
Once you reach out to us, the team will guide you through the collaborative process with a practitioner, We will gather the information we need to understand you better and help support and motivate you along your health journey.
Experience
We take the complex and try to make it simple. Many patients have gone to multiple doctors before they reach us. By taking a functional medicine approach, we can focus on the core imbalance and what needs to be addressed to improve your health picture.
Custom Approach
There is no one size fits approach as each patient is unique. Thus, no plan or protocol is the same. Everything about you including symptoms, lifestyle, diet, genetics and capacity to heal is different and will require a personalized approach.
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