Can I drink coffee during the treatment for Helicobacter pylori?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on March 13, 2025
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It is not recommended to drink coffee during the treatment for Helicobacter pylori.

During the treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection, it is advised to consume more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, maintain regular meals, and eat light, easily digestible foods. Avoid strong alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and also greasy foods. The main methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection are the carbon-13 urea breath test or the carbon-14 urea breath test. If the test results are positive, a standard eradication treatment using a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for two weeks should be implemented. Additionally, a re-examination is needed one month after discontinuing the medication to confirm whether the eradication is complete.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
53sec home-news-image

Can drinking clove water cure Helicobacter pylori?

Drinking clove-infused water is not an effective treatment for Helicobacter pylori. For effective treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is necessary to use a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for two weeks to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. You can choose one type of proton pump inhibitor, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, etc., combined with two of the antibiotics amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, and furazolidone, and either bismuth citrate or bismuth pectin to form a quadruple therapy. Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic bacterium. If infected with Helicobacter pylori, it may cause gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastric cancer, and other diseases. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Can gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacterium, hence it is invisible to the naked eye. However, during a gastroscopy, the gastroenterologist can infer whether a patient is infected with Helicobacter pylori by observing the mucosal appearance under the endoscope. For example, signs such as the disappearance of damages in the tiny veins, nodular changes resembling chicken skin, scattered congested spots, and others. To confirm the presence of a Helicobacter pylori infection, further tests are required. For instance, during a gastroscopy, a rapid urease test can be conducted where a tissue sample from the stomach is tested - this method is quite convenient. Alternatively, a tissue sample can be sent for pathological examination, which might take longer.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
1min 10sec home-news-image

Can a gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori?

First, it is important to clarify that a gastroscopy and a Helicobacter pylori test are two completely different methods. Generally speaking, a gastroscopy cannot detect whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection. A gastroscopy specifically involves passing through the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and finally reaching the descending part of the duodenum. It allows clear observation of whether there is inflammation, ulcers, or neoplastic diseases in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and it is the clearest and most direct method for examining the upper gastrointestinal tract. Helicobacter pylori testing, on the other hand, can generally be conducted in several ways. Firstly, blood can be drawn to test for Helicobacter pylori antibodies. Secondly, a breath test can be done, which is currently the most commonly used method, such as the carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath tests. Other methods include taking a biopsy during gastroscopy for a rapid urease test, and culturing bacteria from a biopsy. Therefore, gastroscopy cannot be used to test for Helicobacter pylori.

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Written by Qu Chun Yao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can Helicobacter pylori tests be done during the pregnancy preparation stage?

During the preconception stage, it is possible to test for Helicobacter pylori, but if testing is to be conducted, breath tests should be avoided. This is because breath tests use carbon-14 or carbon-13, which are radioactive, making them unsuitable for women planning pregnancy. At this time, it is also important to weigh the pros and cons. If there are chronic gastric or duodenal ulcers, and the symptoms are quite apparent, it is necessary to conduct tests. It is advisable to postpone pregnancy, address the gastrointestinal diseases first, and then proceed with pregnancy. If there are gastric or duodenal diseases at such time, pregnancy could possibly exacerbate the condition.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Is Helicobacter pylori three pluses serious?

Three pluses for Helicobacter pylori indicate that there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori, and the level of infection is not low. Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even stomach cancer. If a person tests positive for Helicobacter pylori infection, and has symptoms or diseases related to the digestive system, or has a family history of stomach cancer, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is necessary. The treatment involves a proton pump inhibitor plus two types of antibiotics, along with a bismuth agent, for a total of 14 days. After stopping the medication for one month, a carbon-14 breath test should be re-conducted. If the result turns negative, it means that the eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori was successful. If it does not turn negative, remedial treatment is required.