SELFCheck Stomach Ulcer Test

Buy SELFCheck Stomach Ulcer Test Online

The stomach ulcer test kit is an easy-to-use immunological test. It looks for antibodies triggered by an immune response to a bacterial infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) - a bacterium that commonly causes ulcers in the stomach.

The test can be performed from the comfort of your own home and provides results in mere minutes. The result is presented as coloured bars, similar to a pregnancy test, which are easy to interpret using the enclosed leaflet.

When you buy a SELFCheck Stomach Ulcer Test online from Prescription Doctor, our UK pharmacy will dispatch it to your door via a confidential delivery service.

What are stomach ulcers?

Stomach ulcers - sometimes referred to as gastric ulcers or peptic ulcers - are open sores in the lining of the stomach.

Symptoms of a stomach ulcer include:

• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Severe abdominal pain (typically after eating)
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call NHS 111 or go straight to the nearest accident and emergency department:

• Vomiting blood (may appear bright red or dark brown)
• Bloody stools (dark, sticky, tar-like stools)
• Abrupt, sharp pain in your stomach which gradually worsens

Stomach ulcers can be caused by taking NSAIDs, such as Ibuprofen, at high doses or for a prolonged period. In most cases, stomach ulcers are caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). According to the NHS, there is little evidence to suggest that eating spicy foods or drinking alcohol contributes to the development of stomach ulcers, though they may exacerbate your symptoms.

H. pylori is a bacterium which has developed to survive the acidic environment of the stomach. It uses its flagellum (tail) to swim through the gastric fluids and buries itself into the less acidic lining of the stomach (epithelium). The bacteria damage the epithelial cells, leading to inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) and the development of stomach ulcers.

While it is understood that H. pylori is contagious, the exact mechanism of its transmission is not yet known. It is thought that the bacteria are spread via gastric mucus through either the oral-oral or faecal-oral routes.

A person can be infected with H. pylori from a young age but not experience symptoms until later in life. Furthermore, links have been found between long-term H. pylori infections and stomach cancer.

How are stomach ulcers treated?

Stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori are typically treated with an antibiotic to kill the bacteria and an antacid, such as pantoprazole, to manage associated symptoms, including heartburn.

If left untreated, stomach ulcers can cause very serious complications such as internal bleeding, gastric obstructions and perforation of the stomach. Therefore, it is very important to seek treatment and advice if you suspect you have a stomach ulcer.

How does the SELFCheck Stomach Ulcer Test work?

The SELFCheck Stomach Ulcer Test is an at-home blood test which detects specific antibodies associated with H. pylori infections.

Antibodies are chemicals released by the body's immune system in response to bacteria and viruses. Certain infections release specific kinds of antibodies. These specified antibodies can be used to identify the presence of a specific virus or bacteria.

The test is conducted entirely at home and doesn't require you to send off any samples. Unlike a laboratory test, this home test provides results in minutes, making it a fast and convenient option. Using the enclosed leaflet, you and your healthcare provider can interpret the results and, if needed, discuss an appropriate course of treatment.

How do I use the SELFCheck Stomach Ulcer Test?

The SELFCheck Stomach Ulcer Test comes with everything you need to conduct the test from the privacy of your own home. Please follow the enclosed instructions carefully to ensure an accurate result. Ensure you read all the information provided with the home test kit before proceeding with the test.

Each test comes with:

• 1x test cassette (with desiccant to keep it dry)
• 1x small bottle of buffer solution
• 1x single-use lancet
• 1x plaster
• Instructions

You will also need:

• A clean tissue
• A watch with a second hand (or a stopwatch)

Before you perform the test, ensure that you have all the necessary apparatus to conduct the test.

Verify that the bottle contains liquid (buffer solution). You should only use the buffer solution provided with the test kit.

Do not open the foil package until you are ready to take the test.

Do not use the test if the foil package is damaged.

Wash your hands with soap and water before taking the test. You can use alcohol swabs or wipes to sterilise the finger you will be lancing, though these wipes are not included with the test. Dry your hands before acquiring the sample.

Instructions for use

1.) Remove the test cassette from the foil packaging and place it on a flat surface. Discard the desiccant (small white package) out of the sight and reach of children and pets.

2.) Remove the safety cap from the lancet by twisting it until it clicks. Separate the protective cap by twisting the cap through a complete revolution, being careful not to press the trigger at the top of the lancet. Set the safety cap aside.

3.) Press the lancing end of the lancet against your middle fingertip and press the trigger to release the needle. The lancet will prick your finger.

4.) With your entire arm hanging down, and your pricked finger pointing to the ground, wait for a significant drop of blood to form at the end of your finger. You may need to squeeze or massage the sides of your finger to promote blood flow.

5.) Hold your pricked finger over the test field on the test cassette. The test field is marked with "S1". Allow the drop of blood to fall into the test area. Do not touch the test area with your finger. As soon as the drop of blood is on the test area, wait for 30 seconds.

During this 30-second period, you can cover your finger with the plaster included with your test kit.

6.) Unscrew the cap from the buffer solution and slowly add nine drops to the buffer field marked with "S2".

Wait for 10 minutes. Waiting for less than or more than 10 minutes may cause unreliable results.

7.) Evaluate the results.

Evaluating the results

The results should appear on the cassette within 10 minutes of applying the buffer solution.

After waiting 10 minutes for the result, you have a 5-minute window in which you should interpret your result. Waiting any longer may yield a false interpretation and render the test invalid.

Positive result (confirmed infection)

2 lines appear. C and T, even if the line for T is faint.

Negative result

1 line appears for C, but no line appears for T.

Invalid result

No line appears for either C or T.

Once you have read your result, you should safely discard the test equipment. You can dispose of the used lancet, test cassette, and buffer solution in your household waste. However, ensure that the used equipment is out of sight and out of reach of children and pets.

Do not discard any of the testing equipment via water waste (i.e do not flush any testing apparatus down the toilet).

Frequently asked questions