Do You Have a Lot of Stomach Pain?

Helicobacter pylori is a common bacterial infection that affects the stomach and is the only bacterial organism in the stomach. It is a spiral shaped bacterium and is able to survive gastric acids due to its ability to produce an enzyme called urease. Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections throughout the world.

Causes

H. pylori infection causes chronic gastritis and is responsible for most cases of gastritis not associated with other known causes. In most cases, however, the chronic gastritis causes no symptoms. Helicobacter pylori cause ulcers and stomach cancer.

The other common causes are drugs used for treating arthritis and aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. H. pylori occurs worldwide and causes a chronic infection which rarely resolves spontaneously. This bacteria causes inflammation of the lining of the stomach and duodenum. In most cases it causes no problems or symptoms.

The most common result is chronic superficial gastritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach lining due to the infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, eosinophils, and monocytes into the mucosal lining of the stomach, which causes injury to the gastric glands. Helicobacter pylori is passed in the stool and contact with unwashed hands, contaminated foods and water are the means by which one acquires the infection.

Studies

Studies have revealed that approximately 50% of the world’s population is infected with H. Studies have shown that Blacks are more susceptible to infection than are Whites, and incidents of infection increase with decreasing socioeconomic status. It is generally considered to be a non-invasive pathogen present only in the lumen of the stomach and attached to gastric epithelial cells although a number of in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that H. pylori.

Diagnosis

There are three possible tests: a blood test, a breath test and a biopsy test. The breath test method of diagnosis relies on this reaction being present. The breath test is done after fasting and takes about an hour. After breathing into a machine, the quantity of gas can be measured and confirms the presence or absence of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

Only breath tests or endoscopy with biopsy can be used to prove that the bacterium has been eradicated. Other methods of diagnosis include a blood antibody test which at this point in time is not as accurate a method of diagnosis. Currently, serology is the only widely available noninvasive method of diagnosis.

Invasive tests can be detected at endoscopy by histology, culture, or urease tests, each with inherent advantages and disadvantages. If the blood test is used for diagnosis, titers should be checked so as to have a comparison value for future reference should symptoms recur. pylori can be determined with a high degree of confidence by endoscopy (with culture, histological examination, or urease testing of gastric biopsy specimens), by serologic testing, or by urea breath tests.

Treatment

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori is usually simple & straight forward. Treatment is usually offered to all because even though symptoms may not improve, eradication of the bacteria may prevent development of ulcers and eliminate one risk factor for stomach cancer.

If you are found to have Helicobacter pylori infection, you may wish to have antibiotic treatment of some kind. Treatment regimens include Tritectm (a combination of ranitidine and bismuth), amoxicillin (Amoxiltm), tetracycline and PeptoBismolt. Antibiotic treatment is the only way we know of to rid the stomach of H.

Duodenal ulcers can be treated wit drugs, such as Tagamet, Zantac, or Pepcid, but as soon as patient stops taking drugs, ulcers return, thus this treatment is most often ineffective. However, it has been proven that killing Helicobacter pylori, many patients with duodenal ulcer can be cured: treatment is most successful in patients under 50, but also older.

At this time, a proven and effective treatment is a 7-14 day course of medication called Triple Therapy comprising two antibiotics, amoxicillin and clarithromycin, to kill the bacteria together with an acid suppressor to enhance the antibiotic activity.

Conclusion

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections throughout the world. Helicobacter pylori is associated with many gastrointestinal diseases. Helicobacter pylori is the major cause of this disease (in more than 90 per cent of cases). It is able to survive gastric acids due to its ability to produce an enzyme called urease. After therapy, avoid antimicrobial agents for 4 weeks and omeprazole for one week before doing a diagnostic test to confirm eradication.