How does my doctor know I have it?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may have prompted some medicine before testing. This is because ulcers usually improve within a period of approximately one week of treatment. You may not need to test if it improves.

Endoscopy room

If no improvement, your doctor may do an endoscopy or special x-rays to study the digestive tract. During an endoscopy, your doctor looks at the stomach through a thin tube. It may take a biopsy (a sample of the stomach lining) to assess the presence of H. pylori. You can also use blood tests and breath to assess the presence of H. pylori.

special x-rays to study