Stomach Ulcers

A toxic bacteria lives in the stomach of as many as 50% of adults, often undetected.

About Toxic Stomach Ulcers

If you think that the stomach’s acid is so strong that not a living thing could survive in there and that stomach ulcers are caused by stress, think again.

There's a nasty little bug, Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) that not only lives, but thrives, in the human stomach where it can live for a long time without causing any major problems but it can also cause stomach ulcers and a number of other conditions and, as the early symptoms are often missed, people are not being tested and treated. 

What is H. Pylori?

H. pylori are bacteria. It is common in developing countries but it is now believed that half of all the world’s population is infected and just over a quarter of people in the UK becomes infected with H. pylori at some stage in their life, making H. pylori  one of the most common infections in the world.

Background & Myths

Helicobacter pylori were first discovered in1982 by doctors in Perth, Australia. They identified the bacteria as the cause of patients’ gastritis and, more importantly, gastric ulcers.  Conventional wisdom back then believed that stomach ulcers were caused by stress, but this is now known to be untrue.

How do I Get H. Pylori?

H. pylori get into you body through your mouth – in infected food or water, a bad sore throat infection or transfer from one person to another. Once in your stomach, it burrows into the stomach lining where it lives and replicates. 

Symptoms & Diseases

The symptoms of an H. pylori infection include bloating, bad breath, nausea, vomiting, tummy ache, indigestion or heartburn. H. pylori can also live harmlessly in the lining of the stomach and duodenum without causing you any problems.

There is acid in the stomach to digest food (as strong as car battery acid) and a mucus barrier protects the stomach wall from this acid. H. pylori live in this mucus barrier but sometimes they upset the fine balance of the acid and mucus and the mucus barrier breaks down. The acid then comes into contact with the lining of the stomach and it causes an inflammation which then develops into an ulcer – a bit like an acid burn.

Testing & Treating H. Pylori Infections

A H. pylori infection is simple to treat with a course of antibiotics and, once treated, it is probable that you will never have another problem with it again. It is, therefore, vital to be tested for an H. pylori infection if have any of the symptoms listed above because H. pylori can “flare up” at any time.

You can now buy a laboratory test to do at home, at your convenience. myrios offers you the first over-the-counter blood tests with laboratory analysis and reports.

myrios’ experienced scientists will test the blood sample for H. pylori and, within seven working days, send you back a personalised report with their findings.

The report will show you if there are any abnormalities and advise you of any further action you should take. As myrios is a professional laboratory that undertakes tests for the NHS, Police force and many private companies, you (and your GP) know that the information will be accurate and will give you the information you need to take the next step on your care pathway.