Quick answer
Eradication is phase one. After H. pylori treatment, many people still have symptoms because mucosal healing, digestive normalization, and food tolerance recovery lag behind microbial clearance.
The 3-phase aftercare model
- Weeks 1-2: stabilize meals, remove irritants, track baseline.
- Weeks 3-6: rebuild intake quality and recovery behaviors.
- Weeks 7-12: controlled diet expansion and recurrence monitoring.
Why symptoms can persist
- Residual gastritis and inflammation
- Acid and digestive recalibration
- Gut-brain hypervigilance after painful episodes
Bottom line: post-H. pylori recovery is structured rehabilitation, not a one-week finish line.