Helicobacter Pylori - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and Diet

Helicobacter Pylori Causes and Symptoms

Helicobacter pylori is a common gram-negative bacterium that can be found in the gastrointestinal tract of over 50% of the world’s population. They can cause long-term inflammation and irritation of the inner lining in the stomach in nearly 20% of carriers (people with the bacteria). Such chronic inflammation often leads to peptic ulcers and has even been linked to some cases of gastric cancer. Peptic ulcers occur in the stomach or the duodenum, which is the upper part of the intestine. The presence of the H. pylori causes the stomach to secrete more acid, while the inflammation in turn causes even further acid production. This amount of acid overwhelms the natural barriers protecting the gastrointestinal lining, leading to the ulcer. While such ulcers are very small, they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. The symptoms also include a burning sensation in the stomach region, which gets worse at nights or mornings, when the stomach is usually empty. Skipping meals while suffering from a peptic ulcer increases the pain. Many patients also suffer from nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, and weight loss. Over time, peptic ulcers can grow and becomes worse, leading to anemia and potentially fatal internal bleeding. This sometimes appears as blood in the stools or vomit.

Helicobacter Pylori Diet and Treatment

For short term relief, most patients drink milk or consumer antacids, which help to sooth the lining and reduce the effect of stomach acids on the ulcer. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) should be avoided, since these can add to the inflammation caused by the H. pylori. In the diet, spicy foods can aggravate the ulcer and increase the discomfort. Doctors also advise against smoking and consuming alcohol while suffering from a peptic ulcer.

Before the identification of H. pylori as the cause of peptic ulcers, most patients had to undergo risky surgical procedures that removed large sections of the gastric tract. Now, a course of antibiotics can eradicate the bacteria. In many cases, doctors recommend a combination of antibiotics along with medication to suppress production of stomach acids. The presence of H. pylori can be diagnosed and confirmed with blood antigen or stool antigen tests, though a biopsy using an endoscope is more reliable. Unfortunately, H. pylori cannot be prevented, as medical science has yet to identify the exact nature of its spread from one person to the next. Maintaining personal hygiene and washing hands prior to meals can help.