Could H. pylori be behind your midlife digestive symptoms?

Many people in midlife begin to notice digestive discomfort, energy dips or unexplained symptoms they brush off as part of getting older.

But what if something deeper was going on?

One common but often overlooked culprit is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori – or H. pylori for short.

H. pylori is surprisingly common. It is often picked up in childhood and can silently live in the stomach lining for years before symptoms appear.

For some, it may never cause problems, while for others, especially in midlife, it can start to make itself known in ways that affect daily life and long-term wellbeing.

Let's look in a bit more detail.

What is H. pylori?

H. pylori is a bacterium that can live in the acidic environment of the stomach.

It’s estimated that around half of the world’s population carries it, although many don’t know they have it.

It can suppress stomach acid production, inflame the stomach lining and lead to various digestive issues.

It is usually transmitted through contaminated food or water, or close contact with someone who is already infected.

Once in the body, it can persist for decades if not addressed.

Signs and symptoms to look out for

Some of the more obvious symptoms include bloating, indigestion, reflux and a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount.

In more advanced cases it can contribute to stomach ulcers, which can come with symptoms like a burning or gnawing pain in the stomach, especially between meals or at night.

But it’s not just about digestive discomfort. H. pylori can also play a role in poor absorption of nutrients like vitamin B12 and iron, which can lead to fatigue and low mood.

You might also notice skin flare-ups, bad breath or changes in appetite.

In midlife, when stomach acid levels naturally start to decline, H. pylori’s effects can become more noticeable and more disruptive.

Why midlife is a key time to pay attention

Midlife often brings a perfect storm of factors: increased stress, hormonal shifts, changes in diet and sleep patterns, and a tendency to dismiss symptoms as 'just ageing'.

These changes can reduce your body’s resilience and increase the likelihood that an existing H. pylori infection starts causing problems.

If you’re dealing with persistent gut symptoms, fatigue or unexplained changes in how you feel after eating, it’s worth considering whether H. pylori might be playing a part.

What to do next

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s important not to self-diagnose or treat H. pylori without support.

It can be a complex infection to address, and a personalised approach is key.

There are ways to confirm if it’s present and strategies to rebalance the gut and support your whole system – but these are most effective when guided by someone who understands your individual health picture.

Please do get in touch if you're concerned about your digestive health and need some additional support.

Contact me

Reference: Malfertheiner P, Camargo MC, El-Omar E, et al. Helicobacter pylori infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2023;9(1):19.

Disclaimer

The information and advice I provided here is of a general nature and should never replace individual health or medical advice provided by your doctor or other healthcare professional involved in your care.