Safescreen Home Test Kits

Do you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or suffer from bloating or abdominal pains? It could be that your problems are caused by Heliobacter Pylori (H. Pylori). H. Pylori accounts for up to 90% of duodenal ulcers and up to 80% of gastric ulcers and it has been associated with certain stomach cancers. This bacterial infection could be the cause of your IBS and can easily be treated, once properly identified. Many people infected with H. Pylori have no obvious symptoms and so do not even know that they are infected.

SafeScreen have produced a simple, home test for H. Pylori that takes just minutes to perform and can tell you whether or not you have the infection. If you test positive, you can choose to eliminate the slight risk you have of developing further problems by following a simple course of antibiotics. Testing for H. Pylori could help you to resolve your IBS, bloating or abdominal pain problems leaving you free to get on with life.

What is H. Pylori?

Helicobacter Pylori is a spiral shaped bacteria. H. Pylori was only discovered 25 years ago, by Australians Dr B Marshall and Dr J Warren who won a Nobel Prize for their work into H Pylori. Before their discovery, it used to be thought that no bacteria could survive in harsh environment of the stomach, their research proved that wrong. The stomach contains digestive enzymes and concentrated hydrochloric acid which is similar in strength to the acid found in a car-battery.  The gastric juices are used in the stomach to breakdown the food we eat.  The stomach wall is protected from its own gastric juices by a thick layer of mucus and this is where H Pylori lives. H. If the body detects H. Pylori it will respond by sending white blood cells and other infection fighting agents to the mucus layer on the stomach wall were HP lives. This response can cause inflammation to the wall of the stomach, causing gastritis and ulcers. Studies have also shown that those infected with this bacterium over a long period of time, have an increased risk of developing stomach cancer.

So, if I have H pylori will I get stomach cancer?

No, there is no cause for undue worry. It just means that there is a slightly increased risk of developing stomach cancer. Various studies have found that individuals with H. Pylori have 3-6 times the normal risk associated with developing stomach cancer.  This means that if the lifetime risk of contracting stomach cancer is 0.5%, then persons with H. Pylori have about a 1.5-3% chance of developing stomach cancer in their lifetime. H. Pylori is classified as a grade 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organisation; this is the same classification given to cigarette smoking.

What are the symptoms of H Pylori?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) does not really exist as an illness; rather it is a description of certain symptoms. Digestive symptoms always have a cause and if you can find and treat the cause, the “IBS” symptoms go away. If you are still suffering from IBS, it means that you have not found the cause.

The majority of people who are infected with H. pylori are symptom-and- disease free.  But if you are suffering from any of the following then it may be wise to test for H. Pylori:

• Abdominal Pain
• Acid reflux / Heartburn
• Anaemia
• Bad Breath
• Excessive burping
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Gastritis
• Nausea & Vomiting

Roughly half of people infected with H. Pylori will show no obvious symptoms, but other non gastric symptoms are:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fatigue/low Energy
• Headaches/migraines
• PMS
• Sinus problems
• Dermatitis
• Sleep problems
• Weight gain
• Weight loss

Many people who are infected with H. Pylori may never seek or need any treatment for it. If you have followed a course of antibiotics for another ailment (e.g. for a leg ulcer or dental infection) then you will have treated your H. Pylori infection at the same time. However, once you are infected, the infection usually remains with you for the rest of your life, unless you are treated.

How do you catch HP?

It is not certain how the Helicobacter pylori infection is transmitted, but it is likely to be spread by saliva, poor hygiene practices, dirty water or lack of sanitary conditions. This may explain why the rate of infection is so high in poorer countries and in socio-economic groups characterized by crowded living conditions.

How do I Perform the Test?

As with all SafeScreen’s home test kits, everything you need to carry out and interpret a test is included with your order. The test for H. Pylori can be performed discretely, in the privacy of your home by following the easy step by step instructions. Results are available in minutes rather than the days or weeks normally required to obtain laboratory results.

This is an immunological test for the detection of antibodies against H. pylori in blood. All that is required to carry out the test is a small stool sample.
All orders for SafeScreen tests received before 4.15pm are dispatched the same day. Your test kit will be delivered discretely in plain, unmarked packaging with no indication of the contents inside the box. Boxes are then posted inside a secure mail bag to ensure your complete privacy.

How do you treat H Pylori?

If the SafeScreen Stomach Ulcer Test is positive you should see your doctor who will confirm the diagnosis and prescribe a course of antibiotics. In most cases your treatment will completely destroy the bacteria and thus avoid any further associated intestinal symptoms.

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