Helicobacter pylori – symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention [EXPLAINED]

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Infection with Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) is very common and affects around half of the world’s population. It causes stomach disease, but some authors report a link H. pylori infection with other systemic symptoms as of 1994 List of potential effects H. pylori beyond the stomach, it includes a number of extra-gastric symptoms, including: neurological, dermatological, hematological, ophthalmological, cardiovascular, metabolic, allergic and hepatobiliary.

Helicobacter pylori – characteristics

Bacteria of the species Helicobacter pylori are gram-negative bacteria with a characteristic spiral shape, having several cilia at one end that allow them to move around. The ability to move allows bacteria to penetrate deep into the gastric mucosa.

In addition, these bacteria produce the enzyme urease, which breaks down urea into ammonia, thereby changing the pH of the environment from acid to alkaline. Both of these important features allow bacteria to survive Helicobater pylori in the acidic environment of the stomach. On the other hand, toxins produced by bacteria, in particular the vacuolizing cytotoxin, are responsible for the inflammatory process and, consequently, for ulcers or cancer of the stomach or duodenum. To exclude the suspicion of gastric ulcer, perform diagnostic tests, available for purchase at medonetmarket.pl.

See: Check if you are infected with helicobacter pylori. Home diagnostic test – compare prices

Helicobacter pyroli – the route of infection

The main source of bacteria is the person in whom Helicobacter pylori they live in the gastric mucosa, but can also be found in plaque or in stool. The primary route of infection is the oral-oral and oral-fecal routes.

It is believed that infection generally occurs in early childhood and infections are common Helicobacter pylori it is related to the socio-economic status. In developing countries, the incidence of infections ranges from 80 to almost 100%, and, for example, in Western Europe from 20-40%. In Poland, the frequency of infections is estimated at 40-60%.

Also read: What does a positive urease test result mean?

Helicobacter pylori – risk factors

Modern research results indicate that socioeconomic status is a major risk factor Helicobacter pylor infectionsi. In one study, the results of the studies show that infection rates were high in the low socioeconomic group, then in the middle group, and lowest in the high group. This relationship was obvious in developing countries – however, in developed countries, the risk factor did not play a significant role in the acquisition of Helicobacter pylori.

Multiple studies have shown that Parents’ education level and increasing number of siblings were the main factors influencing the H. pylori positive in children. Other risk factors such as water supplies, housing type, presence / absence of sanitation, garbage collection were related to living conditions and usually related to the socioeconomic status of the family.

This indicates that the acquisition risk factors Helicobacter pylori infections they vary between populations and reflect exposure that occurred early in life.

Do you want to check if this bacteria is present in your body? Buy and perform the Helicobacter pylori Cassette Test available on Medonet Market. Buy the test together with the Faecal Occult Blood Test in the Stomach Compound Test Kit – Home Cassette Tests.

Also check: Too much manganese in drinking water can harm children!

Helicobacter pylori – symptoms

The fact is that Helicobacter pylori it can live in our body for many years and show no signs of it. Very often we find out about infection when we have ulcers, which are accompanied by severe abdominal pain after eating, bloating and a feeling of fullness.

Helicobacter pylori it is a pathogenic bacterium as it always causes inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa and the body’s immune response. Unfortunately, the immune system is unable to eliminate bacteria from the lining of the stomach, leading to chronic inflammation.

Symptoms suggesting Helicobacter pylori infection:

1. constipation
2. lack of appetite
3. abdominal pain,
4. epigastric pain,
5. nausea,
6. heartburn,
7. belching,
8. flatulence.

If you notice the above symptoms, perform a mail-order test for Helicobacter pylori.

Read: Gas, gas, wind

Helicobacter pylori – the course of the infection

In 80-90% of cases of infection Helicobacter pylori no clinical symptoms are observed and, apart from chronic inflammation, no more serious changes in the gastric mucosa are found. Infection in the first phase causes defects in the gastric mucosa, which increase over time and cause the above-mentioned inflammation. To support the intestines and mucosa in ulcer diseases caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, use the probiotic Lactibiane H-Py.

Inflammation can cause precancerous lesions, which may turn into stomach cancer. Of course, the bacterium itself Helicobacter pylori does not cause cancer! Many environmental and genetic factors can influence the development of cancer.

Research shows that the course of neoplasm formation can take up to 20 years, and in diagnosing any cancer / precancerous lesions or infections Helicobacter pylori, gastric wall endoscopy is recommended.

Helicobacter pylori infection is an indication for a visit to the gastroenterologist. You can make an appointment without leaving your home on the Medonet Market website.

Are you afraid of infection? Check homemade tests for Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori – disease

For classic diseases resulting from infection Helicobacter pylori belong:

1. chronic gastritis Chronic gastritis is a chronic condition in which the lining of the stomach, also known as the lining of the stomach, becomes inflamed or irritated. Symptoms begin slowly over time. Without treatment, chronic gastritis can progress over several months or years, until the lining of the stomach is so damaged that the affected person is exposed to: stomach ulcers, gastric polyps or tumors that may be non-cancerous, anemia, more often in the presence of autoimmune gastritis
2. stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer – the presence of deep ulcers in the mucosa, most often the result of an infection or long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (classic painkillers, such as diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen), the main symptom is epigastric pain or discomfort, occurring 1-3 hours after a meal, relieved by food or antacids, most often occurring at night or early in the morning. Untreated ulcers can lead to haemorrhage, perforation or narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract. There are over-the-counter anti-ulcer products on the market. However, they should not be used without consulting a doctor. If you suspect gastric ulcer, see an internist.
3. gastric cancer – is the result of chronic infection and neoplastic transformation of the cells that make up the gastric mucosa; not every infected person will develop cancer, and the factors that increase the risk include: genetic predisposition, diet low in vitamins C and E, salt abuse, blood group A, very early infection H. pylori. Early symptoms of cancer may include: epigastric discomfort, a feeling of being quickly full or full after eating, abdominal pain, nausea, belching; while symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, constant epigastric pain – may indicate an advanced form of cancer; all of the above symptoms are an urgent indication for endoscopic examination (gastroscopy).
4. MALT lymphoma – excessive development of lymphoid tissue in the stomach with neoplastic transformation.
5. Menetrier’s disease– is characterized by a severe degree of inflammation with an overgrowth of gastric folds with abundant exudate and a large loss of protein in the body.

Also check: Nausea and Vomiting – How Can I Deal With Them?

Helicobacter pylori – diagnosis

There are many different methods of detecting an infection Helicobacter pylorithat differ from each other, inter alia, degree of invasiveness, time of waiting for the result, sensitivity and specificity. It is important that these tests are performed only when treatment is planned.

In Poland, the following tests are used for diagnostics:

1. histological method and rapid trauma test – it consists in taking a section of the gastric mucosa during gastroscopy, and then assessing the material for morphological changes (inflammation, cancer cells) and, using a color test, determining whether there is an infection Helicobacter pylori (a section of the gastric mucosa is put on the indicator containing urea and the color change is assessed – as with a litmus paper); this method is typically invasive, but also considered the “gold standard” in the diagnosis of gastric diseases; it is very reliable for both diagnosis of infections and confirmation of cure,
2. Urea breath test, labeled with radioactive carbon – a very reliable test for the diagnosis of infection and evaluation of the cure; Before performing this test, you should suspend the use of: antibiotics for 4 weeks, drugs from the proton pump inhibitor group for 2 weeks; for 48 hours of drugs from the group of H receptor brokers₂ (e.g. ranitidine, famotidine)
3. antigen determination tests H. pylori w kale – very reliable for diagnosis and evaluation of cure. You don’t need to go to the doctor or the lab to do this test.
4. blood serological tests – satisfactory for the diagnosis of infection, but not suitable for the assessment of cure, as antibodies against bacteria persist in the blood for a long time after treatment.

At Medonet Market you can buy home mail order tests for Helicobacter pylori in a safe and convenient way. Buy now. Home test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori antigen in the stool or Home test for anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies from the blood. You can also order a Home Test Kit for stomach problems.

In assessing the effectiveness of treatment, it is important that the tests are not performed until four weeks after the end of treatment. Recommended tests are: a breath test or an antigen determination in the stool. Make an appointment with an internist who will receive a referral for appropriate tests.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

Treatment of the infection can only be effectively treated with a combination of two antibiotics (antibiotics) and one acid-reducing drug (proton pump inhibitors).

The most commonly used antimicrobial drugs are: amoxicillin, clarithromycin or metronidazole, and of proton pump inhibitors, e.g. omeprazole (e.g. Bioprazole), pantoprazole (e.g. Nolpaza 40 mg) or lansoprazole.

The three-drug treatment lasts 14 days.

According to gastroenterological societies, indications for the treatment of infection H. pylori are:

1. duodenal ulcer,
2. stomach ulcer,
3. history of gastric or duodenal ulcer,
4. previous surgery due to peptic ulcer disease,
5. gastritis,
6. precancerous changes,
7. gastrectomy due to cancer,
8. a family history of stomach cancer
9. MALT lymphoma,
10. Menetrier’s disease,
11. functional dyspepsia – in the absence of improvement or recurrence after standard treatment,
12. chronic treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
13. at the patient’s request.

Read also: Diet for Helicobacter pylori infection

Prophylaxis of Helicobacter pylori infections

There are no clearly developed rules for prevention, but it is believed that the basic methods of reducing the risk of infection include:

1. compliance with the basic rules of hygiene, in particular in nurseries and kindergartens. Antibacterial soap can be helpful (check offer).
2. breast-feeding
3. proper nutrition – a diet rich in antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene). If for some reason you are not able to get the right amount of these vitamins through a proper diet, you can supplement it with supplements. The Swanson vitamin bomb will be a good choice.

The possibility of using a vaccine in the future – research is currently underway on its creation.

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