Doctors now recommend that anyone with symptoms of stomach ulcer should have a test to detect this bacteria. The problem can be treated by taking special antibiotics. Having H. pylori is very common in Australia and the risk is high among people from Italy, Middle Eastern countries and Asia. H. pylori can also increase the risk of stomach cancer - anyone with a family history of stomach cancer should also ask their doctor about having a test. It could be irritable bowel syndrome.
Symptoms can include bloating and abdominal pain, as well as diarrhoea or constipation.
These symptoms come and go, with attacks lasting for days or weeks. Doctors don't really know what causes IBS, but sometimes it can be triggered by stress or a gastric infection. Food can be a factor too, but different foods affect different people. For some people, IBS can be improved by eating fibre-rich foods, for example. IBS isn't serious, but it can be distressing.