Private stomach ulcers and h. pylori clinic in London, same-day gastroenterology.
Most stomach and duodenal ulcers are caused by a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, or by anti-inflammatory painkillers — not by stress or spicy food. H. pylori is detected with a simple test and cured with a course of treatment, which permanently removes the cause in the great majority of people. Our private gastroenterology clinic in East London offers same-day stomach ulcers and h. pylori assessment with a private gastroenterologist, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.
The condition
What is stomach ulcers and h. pylori?
Most stomach and duodenal ulcers are caused by a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, or by anti-inflammatory painkillers — not by stress or spicy food. H. pylori is detected with a simple test and cured with a course of treatment, which permanently removes the cause in the great majority of people.
- What stomach ulcers and h. pylori is
- Symptoms to look for
- Causes & risk factors
- Tests & diagnosis
- Treatment options
- When to see a specialist
Understanding stomach ulcers and h. pylori
Stomach ulcers and H. pylori: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment
Call 999 or go to an emergency department if you have
- vomiting blood, or material like coffee grounds
- black, tarry, foul-smelling stools
- sudden severe abdominal pain with a rigid, board-like abdomen
- collapse, dizziness or a racing heart with abdominal pain
- persistent vomiting and inability to keep fluids down
A bleeding or perforated ulcer is a surgical emergency. Black tarry stools indicate digested blood from the upper gut and always need same-day assessment. In an emergency call 999, or go to the Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.
Symptoms
- Burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen, often between meals or at night
- pain relieved — or sometimes worsened — by eating
- bloating, early fullness, nausea, belching and heartburn
- loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
- Around half of people with H. pylori have no symptoms at all
Who should be tested
- anyone with persistent indigestion or upper abdominal pain
- anyone with a previous ulcer, or a family history of stomach cancer
- before starting long-term anti-inflammatories or aspirin, in some circumstances
- people with unexplained iron deficiency anaemia
- H. pylori is considerably more common in people born outside Western Europe, and infection is usually acquired in childhood
Stop acid tablets two weeks before the test
Proton pump inhibitors — omeprazole, lansoprazole and similar — suppress the bacteria without eradicating them, producing a false negative result. You must stop them for two weeks before a breath or stool test, and stop antibiotics for four weeks. This is the commonest reason a test comes back negative in someone who genuinely has the infection, and it means starting again. Ranitidine-type medicines and antacids such as Gaviscon are usually acceptable in the meantime — check with us.
Testing and treatment
- A urea breath test or stool antigen test is used — both are accurate. Blood antibody tests are not recommended, as they stay positive after successful treatment.
- Eradication therapy is a course of two antibiotics plus an acid-suppressing tablet, usually for 7 to 14 days.
- Take every dose. Missing tablets is the main cause of failure and of resistance. Side effects — metallic taste, nausea, loose stools — are common and worth pushing through.
- Avoid alcohol with certain of these antibiotics.
- A test of cure should be done at least four weeks after finishing, and eight weeks after stopping the acid tablet. This step is frequently skipped, and treatment fails in a proportion of people.
- If the first course fails, a different combination is used — not a repeat of the same one.
The other main cause
Anti-inflammatory painkillers — ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and aspirin — cause ulcers by stripping the stomach's protective lining. Risk rises with age, higher doses, longer use, taking more than one, and combining them with steroids or anticoagulants. If you need them long term, you should usually be on a protective acid-suppressing tablet alongside.
When endoscopy is needed
Test-and-treat is appropriate for most people under 55 with uncomplicated indigestion. Endoscopy is indicated for anyone with difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting, an abdominal mass, iron deficiency anaemia, or new indigestion over the age of 55 — and urgently for anyone with signs of bleeding.
Gastroenterology services we offer
Expert care under one roof
From same-day GP assessment to specialist care, scans and tests — with a clear plan the same visit.
Gastroenterology
Consultant gut & liver care.
Endoscopy & Colonoscopy
Camera tests for the gut.
Ultrasound
Abdominal & liver scans.
Private Blood Tests
Diagnostic blood tests, explained.
Private GP
Same-day GP to start your care.
Health MOT
A full private health check.
Simple & reassuring
Seen today, in three easy steps
Book in a minute
Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.
Seen quickly
A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.
Diagnosis & plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.
Private assessment
See a private gastroenterologist for stomach ulcers and h. pylori in London
At our private gastroenterology clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private gastroenterologist or stomach ulcers and h. pylori doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant gastroenterologist will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about stomach ulcers and h. pylori.
Local, private, fast
A private gastroenterology clinic for East London & Canary Wharf
Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private stomach ulcers and h. pylori appointment with a gastroenterologist, without the wait or the referral.
Why choose us
Why choose our East London private gastroenterology clinic
- Same-day, no referral — private GP and gastroenterology under one roof
- Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
- Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
- Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
- A named clinician who explains your results clearly
- Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on
Ready when you are
See a private gastroenterologist for stomach ulcers and h. pylori — the same day.
Book a private stomach ulcers and h. pylori assessment in East London: same-day appointments, gastroenterologist-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.
Common questions
Stomach ulcers and H. pylori in London: your questions answered
Where can I find a private stomach ulcers and h. pylori specialist near me in East London?
Our private gastroenterology clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private gastroenterologist or stomach ulcers and h. pylori doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.
Can I see a private gastroenterologist for stomach ulcers and h. pylori the same day?
Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a gastroenterologist or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.
How much does a private stomach ulcers and h. pylori appointment cost in London?
We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the stomach ulcers and h. pylori assessment and any tests before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a private gastroenterologist for stomach ulcers and h. pylori?
No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a gastroenterologist, we will guide you.
Which areas do you serve for private stomach ulcers and h. pylori care?
We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.
Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.