1. Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Testing for the H. pylori infection may be performed on blood, stool, or breath samples. Also, biopsies or small bits of tissue from the lining of the gastrointestinal tract obtained during endoscopy can be tested for the presence of H. pylori.

Usually this testing is done after the diagnosis of gastritis or ulcer is made. Diagnosis depends upon the health care practitioner taking a patient history and asking specific questions. Aside from the infection, there are other, lifestyle-related causes of gastritis and ulcers including smoking, alcohol consumption, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication use (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen).

Physical examination will yield more information regarding the diagnosis of abdominal pain. In addition to examining the abdomen, a rectal examination may be performed to test for blood in the stool.

In addition to testing to testing for the presence of the H. pylori bacteria, other blood tests may be performed to screen for anemia (low red blood cell count ) and other diseases. A urine sample may be taken to look for infection.

If there is a concern that an ulcer is present, arrangements may be made for a consultation with a gastroenterologist and possible endoscopy, in which the gastroenterologist uses a thin tube containing a camera to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Alternatively, an upper GI series may be performed to look for an ulcer. In this test, x-rays of the abdomen are taken after the patient swallows barium or another type of contrast material. If a gastric ulcer is found, endoscopy is usually recommended, since some ulcers have the potential to become cancerous. Ulcers in the duodenum typically do not have this potential.

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Indigestion Indigestion (dyspepsia, non-acid dyspepsia) is a description for a feeling of fullness and/or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Symptoms of indigestion can inclu...learn more >>

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