Why you should never ignore recurring heartburn, bloating

Persistent stomach pain, bloating and recurring heartburn are often dismissed as the result of skipping meals, eating spicy foods or living a stressful life.

A quick trip to the pharmacy for antacids may offer temporary relief, but it often masks the symptoms instead of addressing the underlying cause. Behind these common digestive complaints could be a tiny but potentially dangerous bacterium quietly damaging the stomach lining.

Known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacterium infects many people, often without causing immediate symptoms.

While some carry it unknowingly, others endure years of recurring ulcers, abdominal pain and indigestion before receiving the correct diagnosis. Left untreated, H. pylori can lead to serious complications, including peptic ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer.

As more people seek medical care for persistent digestive problems, doctors are urging the public to stop normalising chronic stomach discomfort and instead seek early testing and treatment.

According to gastroenterologist Dr Linda Ingosi, H. pylori attacks the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Although many infected people have no symptoms, the bacteria can cause irritation and inflammation, leading to gastritis and peptic ulcers.

"H. pylori bacteria are spiral-shaped and can live in the harsh acidic environment of your stomach by producing enzymes that neutralise the acid. This allows H. pylori to burrow into your stomach lining, where they can cause chronic inflammation and irritation," Dr Ingosi explains.

Common symptoms include persistent upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, frequent burping, feeling full quickly after eating and a burning sensation, especially when the stomach is empty. However, Dr Ingosi says these symptoms can also occur in other digestive conditions, making proper diagnosis essential.

"The only way to know whether you have H. pylori is through medical testing. Depending on the patient's condition, doctors may recommend a stool antigen test, a urea breath test or an endoscopy."

For 24-year-old university student Marline, recurring stomach pain, bloating and nausea became part of daily life. She blamed stress, irregular meals and partying, relying on antacids for relief until hospital tests confirmed an H. pylori infection.

Twenty-seven-year-old Brian also dismissed frequent stomach pain and excessive burping as the result of a poor diet, treating himself with ulcer medication. Medical tests later revealed an H. pylori infection. After completing a course of antibiotics, he recovered and now encourages others to seek proper medical care instead of self-medicating.

Dr Ingosi says one of the biggest challenges is the widespread culture of self-medication. Many people repeatedly buy antacids or acid-reducing drugs without identifying the underlying cause of their stomach problems.

"Antacids only provide temporary relief. They do not kill the bacteria. H. pylori requires a specific combination of antibiotics together with acid-suppressing medication. It is also important that patients complete the full course of treatment to prevent antibiotic resistance."

She also dispels common myths surrounding the infection.

"Many people believe spicy foods or stress cause H. pylori. That is not true. While spicy foods may worsen symptoms in someone who already has the infection, they do not cause it. The bacteria are mainly spread through contaminated food, water or close person-to-person contact."

Nutrition also plays an important role during recovery.

Eating a balanced diet, limiting alcohol, avoiding foods that trigger symptoms and staying well hydrated can help the stomach heal while prescribed medication clears the infection.

Doctors recommend maintaining good hand hygiene, drinking safe water, eating properly prepared food and seeking medical attention if stomach pain persists for more than a few weeks.