Diagnosis

If a GP thinks you have a stomach ulcer, you may be tested for an Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

You may be referred to hospital for a procedure to look inside your stomach called a gastroscopy.

Testing for H. pylori infection

If your GP thinks your symptoms are caused by an H. pylori infection, they may recommend one of the following tests:

• a urea breath test – you'll be given a drink containing urea (a chemical that's broken down by H. pylori) and your breath is then checked after
• a stool antigen test – a small stool sample is tested for the bacteria
• a blood test – a sample of your blood is tested for antibodies to the H. pylori bacteria (antibodies are proteins produced naturally in your blood and help to fight infection); this has now largely been replaced by the stool antigen test

If you test positive for H. pylori, you'll need treatment to clear it, which can heal the ulcer and prevent it returning.

Gastroscopy

This is a test to look inside your stomach directly and see whether you have a stomach ulcer.

It involves passing a thin, flexible tube (an endoscope) with a camera through into your stomach and the 1st section of the small intestine (duodenum).

You may be given a mild sedative injection before the procedure and have your throat sprayed with a local anaesthesia to make it more comfortable to pass the endoscope.

The images taken by the camera will usually confirm or rule out an ulcer. A small tissue sample may also be taken from your stomach or duodenum so it can be tested for the H. pylori bacteria.

A gastroscopy is carried out at a hospital and usually on the same day, so you won't have to spend the night in hospital.