Description

Gastritis and peptic ulcers are both conditions that affect the stomach or small intestine, and they can share similar symptoms:

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Pain in the upper abdomen
  • Feeling full after eating
  • Bloating or belching
  • Intolerance of certain foods
  • Dark stools 

Gastritis

  • Inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis can be caused by H. pylori infection, long-term use of aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, excessive alcohol consumption, or tobacco use. 

Peptic ulcer

  • A sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. Peptic ulcers can be caused by H. pylori infection. Ulcers in the stomach are called gastric ulcers, while ulcers in the duodenum are called duodenal ulcers. 

Gastritis can sometimes progress to peptic ulcer disease if left untreated or if it's particularly severe. Peptic ulcers can carry the risk of bleeding, cancer, and eventual stomach perforation.

This panel includes the following test:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) Urea Breath Test

Fasting for 1 hour is recommended.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

A complete blood count (CBC) is used to check for anemia when suspecting gastritis or peptic ulcers, as bleeding from these conditions can lead to a low red blood cell count, indicating blood loss in the digestive tract; essentially, the CBC helps monitor for potential complications like bleeding associated with these stomach conditions.

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a routine blood test that measures 14 substances in the blood to provide information about the body's chemical balance and metabolism.

The Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) Urea Breath Test is a medical test used to check for the presence of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach. These bacteria can cause stomach ulcers and other digestive problems. The H. pylori Urea Breath Test is a safe and accurate diagnostic tool that can help detect the presence of H. pylori bacteria. It is preferred over other diagnostic methods, which are more invasive and require anesthesia. The test works by having the patient drink a solution containing urea and then measuring the amount of carbon dioxide in their breath. If H. pylori are present in the stomach, they will convert the urea into carbon dioxide, which can then be detected in the patient's breath. 

The patient must not eat or drink anything for at least 1 hour before the test. During the test, the patient is asked to blow into a small device that measures the amount of carbon dioxide in their breath. If the test is positive for H. pylori, the patient will be prescribed antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria from their system. In conclusion, the H. pylori Urea Breath Test is a safe and accurate way of detecting the presence of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach. It is a non-invasive alternative to more invasive procedures and can be used to diagnose and treat H. pylori infection.