Helicobacter Pylori: The Silent Stomach Invader
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Who does not care about their health and worry when they experience an obscure stomachache? There are several reasons behind this, one of which is a hidden enemy that dwells within us unnoticed; that would be the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which we explore in this article.
What is Helicobacter pylori?
H. pylori is a bacteria that infects the stomach and duodenum—the first part of the small intestine—and affects over half of the world's population.
How is H. pylori transmitted? What are the harms of infection?
H. pylori spreads easily; it can be found in the saliva and feces of an infected person, and can slip into your stomach and duodenum through contaminated food, drinks, or unclean hands.
The H. pylori clings to the walls of the stomach and duodenum, or penetrates the protective mucus layer then multiplies, producing a special enzyme that protect themselves from the stomach acid. The more the bacteria multiplies, the more it damages the stomach and duodenum; causing pain, inflammation, and ulcers.
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What are its symptoms and complications?
Surprisingly, only 20% of people with stomach ulcers have symptoms, while the rest experience none and can remain undiagnosed for years; the reasons are unclear. Symptoms include sudden, severe, and unexplained stomach pain. It may be constant and unrelenting, or it may occur 2–3 hours after eating, or come and go for days or weeks, or happen at night when your stomach is empty; it may improve with food or antacids.
Other symptoms may include bloating, nausea, belching, black or bloody stool, and vomiting blood or coffee ground vomitus. Bleeding can lead to anemia and weight loss can occur due to peptic ulcers and loss of appetite. If the symptoms persist for a long time without treatment, they can lead to various complications, including painful peptic ulcers in the upper part of the digestive system, stomach lining erosion, bleeding and perforation of the stomach wall, and even obstruction of food passage when the ulcer blocks the passage of food. This condition can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.
How can H. pylori be diagnosed and cured?
Diagnosis starts with noticing symptoms followed by tests, such as blood, stool, breath, and upper endoscopy tests.
Treatment options vary depending on the patient's symptoms, their severity, age, and overall health status. H. pylori infections are usually treated with antibiotics and may also involve histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), proton pump inhibitors, and stomach-lining protectors.
In conclusion
Prevention is the best option as there is currently no vaccine against H. pylori. You can protect yourself by following healthy habits, such as proper hand-washing with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating, and ensuring thorough cooking and consumption of clean food and and water.
References
hopkinsmedicine.org
medlineplus.gov
my.clevelandclinic.org
webmd.com
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