What is Helicobacter Pylori infection?
A type of bacteria called H. Pylori lives in the stomach and intestines. Approximately two-thirds of the world population carries this bacteria, most of them do not exhibit any symptoms. However, it has been estimated that 90% of ulcers are caused by H. pylori. These bacteria can also be passed from person to person, most often through food or drinks. Still, while it is common, H. pylori can also be dangerous and lead to serious health problems. Treatment is available, but one must get a proper diagnosis first and take appropriate steps to treat this condition.
An H. pylori infection is one of the most common causes of ulcers and gastric cancer. H. pylori are able to survive in the stomach and stick to stomach cells. Your stomach can't protect itself very well because it's not covered in mucus or acid like your mouth, which protects your teeth from the plaque that causes tooth decay. H. pylori were first discovered by two Australian scientists, Robin Warren and Barry Marshall, in 1982. They found H. pylori present in the lining of the stomachs of many patients with gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. This discovery led to the Nobel Prize for medicine in 2005.
How do you get Helicobacter Pylori infection?
Humans can get H. pylori from person to person through contact with dirty hands and unclean utensils and water, as well as by consuming infected food. H. pylori are most often transmitted through food and water that has not been properly washed and prepared. For example, someone can get the bacteria by eating food prepared by someone who has an infection.
To get Helicobacter Pylori, you must normally come into contact with the bacterium. This means that you must swallow it or inhale it in some way if it is in your environment. H. pylori is transmitted through oral-oral contact with fecal matter from infected individuals or contaminated food or water sources like raw vegetables, salads, fruits, and shellfish that have not been washed or cooked before eating them.
Where can you get Helicobacter Pylori From?
The bacteria that causes H. pylori infections is found in the stomachs of about two-thirds of the world's population. In developing countries, H. pylori is very common. H. pylori is less common in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. H. pylori infection is more common in people who have lower-incomes, have darker skin, live in crowded areas, and have poor sanitation. If you are a traveler, you may be at higher risk of H. pylori infection. This is especially true if you are traveling to developing countries. However, it would help if you noted that many people in developed countries also carry H. pylori infections.
What are the symptoms of Helicobacter Pylori?
Patients who have contracted H. pylori can have minimal to no outward symptoms. However, if symptoms appear, they can include stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More severe symptoms can include blood in the stool, weight loss, constipation, difficulty swallowing, and iron deficiency anemia. Those who have ulcers in their stomach or intestinal tract due to H. pylori may experience pain in their abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and a burning sensation in their gut. Some people may also feel fatigued, have a poor appetite, lose weight, and feel bloated.
Many people have H. pylori without knowing it because there are no signs or symptoms of the infection. Experts do not know why that is, but inflammation in the stomach lining can sometimes be common when someone has it. This is called gastritis. Probable stomach ulcers include experiencing pain in your stomach or the first part of the small intestine. These symptoms may also include vomiting, nausea, and bloating. Some of the signs that you may have an ulcer include feeling full quicker than usual, often burping, having an upset stomach with no relief, not feeling hungry, and rounding at the end of your digestive system. These symptoms might lead to a persistent sharp pain that usually happens after eating or in the middle of the night. An ulcer may last for several days, weeks, or months. Still, it will disappear when you eat or take medications that reduce your stomach acid (antacids). One of the symptoms of ulcers is severe and constant stomach pain. However, they may also look like other diseases, so consult your doctor to be more sure.
How to diagnose Helicobacter Pylori?
If you don't have ulcer-related symptoms, your doctor probably won't test for H. pylori. But if you have had them in the past or have them now, it's best to get tested. Medications like NSAIDs can damage your stomach lining. Finding out what your symptoms are can be easier to get help with treatment.
The doctor may start the assessment by asking you about your medical history and symptoms and any medicines you take. Next, they'll conduct a physical examination involving pressing on your belly to check for swelling or tenderness.
You may also have:
Blood tests. It will show whether you're infected with the bacteria.
Stool culture. This procedure extracts any abnormal bacteria from your digestive tract. It helps identify the cause of any diarrhea or other pelvic complaints. The results come in 2-3 days, and you'll be notified about the bacteria inside of you, so make sure to prepare a small sample when going for this test.
Urea Breath Test. It would be best to drink a special liquid with urea in it. After doing this, you'll breathe into a bag that the doctor will send to a lab for testing. H. Pylori can make your breath, so laboratory tests that measure carbon dioxide levels will often show them higher than what is considered normal. One of the results of H. pylori is high levels of urease in your stomach acid. This enzyme increases your intestine's pH and reduces the stomach's acidic environment.
To see more of your ulcers, your doctor may use:
Upper endoscopy is also called EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy). The endoscope will be inserted into the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach and duodenum. It has a light at one end that shows images of the lining of these organs (intestines) on a screen at the other end of the tube. Once food goes down into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum on its way through your intestine, an endoscope can be inserted to observe these organs. A small tissue sample (biopsy) may also be taken to examine if there is any urease enzyme. If samples come back positive, it can reveal that you have intestinal enteritis.
Upper GI tests. You'll drink a barium liquid in a hospital, and then the doctor will take an x-ray. The barium coats your throat and stomach and makes them stand out clearly in that picture.
Computed tomography (CT) scan. The CT scan does a great job of creating detailed 3D images of the human body.
It is important to remind yourself that if you have H. pylori, your doctor might also perform a stomach cancer test such as:
Physical exam
Blood tests to check for anemia. It's the medical term for when the body doesn't have enough red blood cells and can occur if a tumor is bleeding.
Fecal occult blood test, blood hidden in stool can be detected with this test endoscopy.
A biopsy can be done on your tummy to look for signs of cancer. Your doctor may do this if you have an endoscopy.
CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In laboratories, CT scans and MRIs are used to take detailed pictures of the inside of a person's body.
How to treat Helicobacter Pylori?
If you suffer from ulcers, it can take up to 2 weeks for them to be cured. Treatment includes killing the bacteria, healing the membrane, and taking care of the wounds. Treatment for H. pylori includes antibiotics. Both two and four-week courses of antibiotics have been found to be effective at eradicating the bacteria. The bacteria can regrow in about 50% of people, so a second course of antibiotics may be needed to stop this from happening again.
Your doctor may prescribe you medications with different types of drugs. The options may include:
Antibiotics to kill the bacteria in your body, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin (Biaxin), metronidazole (Flagyl), tetracycline (Sumycin), or tinidazole (Tindamax). These are usually taken in combinations of two.
Drugs that reduce the amount of acid in your stomach by blocking the pumps are used to treat conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. They include Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, and Protonix.
Bismuth subsalicylate. When it comes to killing H. pylori, bismuth subsalicylate may be used alongside your antibiotics.
Medicines that suppress the secretion of acid-producing chemicals from the stomach. These include Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac 360, and Axid.
There may seem like many directions to follow. Still, it is essential to remember that patients must take their doctor-prescribed medications and follow instructions. If you don't take antibiotics the right way, bacteria in your body can become resistant. This means that if an infection occurs and you're not able to take antibiotics, it's likely that the bacteria in your body will remain immune to the specific antibiotic treatment. Stay on track by talking with your doctor about side effects and possible treatments for you.
Most H. pylori cases can be treated with antibiotics, but there are a lot of natural treatments that can also get rid of the bacteria. Some of the most effective natural remedies include apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and herbal teas.
What to do to prevent Helicobacter Pylori?
Calls for a clean, healthy lifestyle are getting louder as health experts know more about what you should do to stop catching H. pylori. Good hygiene can help protect you from picking up the bacteria via contact and adhering to the same safety rules as others.
You can do many things to stop catching H. pylori, but if you're not quite sure what you need to do, it may be wise to consult with medical experts. They will help guide you through the process of improving your diet and lifestyle habits in order to build up a strong immune system. These habits include:
Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before you prepare or eat food. Teach your children to do the same.
Making sure the food you eat is clean and cooked safely.
Don't eat anything that isn't cooked thoroughly.
Make sure that your drinking water is safe and clean.
Avoid food served by people who haven't washed their hands.
Eating healthy food and having a good diet.
Even though spicy foods and stress don't cause ulcers, they can worsen your condition. However, by managing your mental state and changing your diet, ulcer pain will become much less. If you smoke now, it would be beneficial to consult a doctor about how to quit smoking.
Conclusion
H. pylori are a very common infection found in the stomach of about two-thirds of the world's population. In developing countries, the rate can be as high as 80%. H. pylori are less common in Europe, Canada, Australia, and the US, with around 50%. H. pylori are more common in people from lower-income families and those with darker skin. Several factors can make you more at risk for developing it, including living in crowded areas, traveling to certain countries, and having poor sanitation. If you're a traveler, your risk may be higher, especially if you're traveling. It is vital to recognize that people in developed countries still carry H. pylori.
H. pylori are bacteria that infect your stomach lining.
It attacks the stomach area and the first part of your small intestine. It can cause redness and swelling.
Some people who carry the bacteria won't have any symptoms.
H. pylori can cause ulcers in your upper digestive tract characterized by open sores.
For some people, it can cause stomach cancer.
It can be spread by kissing or touching an infected surface like a toilet seat or countertop where someone touched their mouth/nose with unwashed hands.
Having good health habits (hygiene) can prevent you from getting sick, but it can also protect you from being a carrier of diseases such as H. pylori.
Disclaimer: If you have health concerns, issues, or a medical problem, It is important to seek help from a doctor or medical expert. Do not ignore advice from health care professionals nor be confident to put it off just because of the information you have read in his article.
References:
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https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/h-pylori-helicobacter-pylori