Helicobacter breath test

Small organism, weighty consequences

The invasion of the stomach mucosa by Helicobacter pylori is considered world-wide the most common bacterial infection. At our latitude roughly 20% of people under the age of 40 and 50% of those over 60 are affected.

The organism is transmitted by mouth-to-mouth contact as well as through contaminated foods or water. House pets can transmit it too.

Stomach pressure, bloating, heart burn or frequent diarrhoea are typical for this infection because the organism leads to inflammation of the stomach and intestine mucosa. Ulcers can be caused by the organism too.

Helicobacter pylori and stomach cancer

Helicobacter pylori is also suspected of contributing to the development of stomach cancer.

A new detection procedure

In order to detect the organism, we now have an uncomplicated breath test called the heliprobe, instead of expensive and uncomfortable invasive methods (gastroscopy). A heliprobe is a confortable, noninvasive measurement procedure with which an invasion of Helicobacter pylori can be detected reliably from the air that the patient exhales.

Eradication possible

If the test result is positive, the reported complaints can be eliminated and the organism eradiacted from the body by a simple medical treatment. At the same time, the risk of developing ulcer or stomach cancer decreases as a result of this therapy.