The Doc Replies
Our expert answers your medical questions
I’ve been diagnosed with helicobacter pylori. What is it and what does it mean for me?
This is a common issue. It is a bacterium that infects the lining of the stomach and duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. You probably acquire it as a child. Around 15% of people are affected. Once you have it, you have it, but it may well do you no harm. However, helicobacter pylori is linked to stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers and indigestion in general. It may also slightly increase the risk of stomach cancer.
You can test for it in various ways. There is a blood test that looks for antibodies, that indicates infection in the past. If the test is positive in somebody with recurrent indigestion, we generally treat the helicobacter pylori without checking for an ulcer first because it would be treated in the same way. Treatment is a week of two antibiotics and a simultaneous acid suppressant. It is important to take the full course correctly.
If you have ongoing symptoms, we then use a breath test or a stool antigen test that looks for the presence of helicobacter pylori.
This is more complicated, because you cannot have had antibiotics four weeks before it or acid suppressing medication for at least two weeks, which can be challenging if people have symptoms.
A positive test means further treatment, usually with antibiotics.
I eat quite a lot of nuts and always feel sleepy afterwards. Somebody told me nuts are soporific. Is that an old wives’ tale?
Nuts are high in unsaturated fat that may boost hormones that contribute to sleepiness. Almonds have tryptophan in them, believed to induce sleep. However, this is all theoretical.
I suffer with hiccups a lot. My wife said gripe water, as given to babies, will help. Is that true?
Gripe water is basically made up of water and herbs – like ginger, camomile and cinnamon. It is used for colic and they say in babies if stomach issues are affecting the hiccups it may be helpful.
But if it works for adults it is probably psychological.
The Doc Replies
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