The Bacteria In The Stomach That Should Never Be Ignored

Helicobactor Pylori or H Pylori as it is called is a bacterium found in the stomach

. It was first detected in the 1980s and was called Campylobacter pyloridis and found to be present in patients suffering from chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric ulcers. It was not believed till then that there was a bacterium that was responsible for such chronic illnesses. This bacterium is also held responsible to cause duodenal ulcers and even stomach cancer. The tricky thing is that most patients do not have any symptoms and that hampers early detection and treatment.

H Pylori can spread from person to person by direct contact with saliva, vomit and fecal matter. It is possible for a person to pick up the infection at a young age and carry it till old age, unknowingly suffering all along. The factors that cause H Pylori are lack of awareness, poor dental hygiene and crowded living spaces.

Estimates reveal that over 50% of the worlds population is believed to be affected by this bacterium that is found in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This makes it the most widespread infection in the world. It is spread out in the developing countries with a decreasing incidence in developed countries. It is helix or spiral shaped and is adapted to penetrate the mucous lining in the inner wall of the stomach. H Pylori need to survive the acidic pH of the lumen or the interior of the gastrointestinal tract (the core to be precise) hence the need to penetrate into the mucous lining in defense. The bacterium itself releases a toxin that causes inflammation and increases the acid production in the stomach. This is the primary cause for formation of ulcers in the duodenum. That is why H Pylori infection is commonly found in duodenal and gastric ulcer patients and those with active chronic gastritis.

The general complaint from most patients is of a burning sensation in the upper parts of the abdomen, excessive and uncontrolled burping, bloating of the stomach, a sense of nausea and vomiting. If the inflammation is severe it could result in bleeding in the stomach lining or from any of the ulcers. The blood shows up in the vomit and the stools turn black. If undetected and left untreated, H Pylori can cause two types of cancer: gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma. People affected with H Pylori run a risk that is 6 times that of a normal person. However, the risk can be reduced considerably with the help of antibiotics. The classic symptoms of cancer include persistent pain in the upper parts of the abdomen, loss appetite, fatigue and considerable weight loss, vomiting usually with blood and stools containing blood. In the absence of treatment, H Pylori infection- once established in the mucous lining of the stomach is believed to persist for life. However, with age it can disappear as the mucosa becomes inhospitable due to wasting away of the lining. Incidence of acid reflux disease which causes severe burning sensation in the chest is on the rise along with esophageal cancer.

H Pylori can be easily diagnosed with a simple breath, stool, serological or an endoscopic test. A fortnights treatment with effective antibiotic is sufficient to eradicate this bug. However it is important to note that temporary measures of self-medication like taking antacids are not going to prove effective in any way, though there could be relief from gastritis. The resistance level of H Pylori to drugs increases if there is inadequate treatment. The best option would be to consult a qualified doctor and undergo proper test to rule out possibilities.

by: prolificrandy

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