Do you sometimes get heartburn? Do you have abdominal pain? Did you ever notice that your stomach is hypersensitive? It sounds like Helicobacter pylori symptoms. Helicobacter Pylori has a strong influence on the formation of ulcers in the stomach and duodenum which in turn can lead to cancer of these organs.
Where did H.Pylori originate? Helicobacter Pylori was first discovered in the stomachs of animals in the 1880’s. At the present time it is statistically proven that up to 50% of the population of Western Europe and North America are infected, 80% of the population in Mid European countries and up to 90% of countries with low socioeconomic levels.
How can I get infected by H.Pylori?
- unhygienic living conditions
- population density. The infection spreads from human to human through food, water, dirty hands, saliva
- H.Pylori can also be spread from animals to humans
- infected hospital and dental equipment
H.Pylori can lead to the development of chronic inflammation in the lining of the stomach and duodenum and this results in ulcers being formed in these organs. This in turn increases the risk of stomach cancer (up to 60% of all cases of stomach cancer is caused by the pathogenic effects of Helicobacter Pylori). However not all H.Pylori cases results in cancer developing. It depends on the strain of the bacteria and the immune system of the individual, the duration of infection and other factors such as diet and lifestyle.
What are the methods for detecting this microorganism? Helicobacter Pylori is found in the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
It is found by taking a sample during an Endoscopy, breath tests, blood tests or stool tests.
Unfortunately these methods only assesses the presence of the bacteria. They don’t say nothing about its quantity. These methods are fast and easy but don’t interfere with the patient much, therefore these methods are used all around the world.
Apart from medical tests you can also self diagnose the Pylori symptoms. If you notice any of the signs listed below, you may be infected by H. Pylori:
- tightness and fullness in the abdomen
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- constipation
- bloating
- severe stabbing pain in the stomach or duodenum
- stomach inflammation
- fast weight loss or weight gain
- dryness in the mouth
- nasty white coating on the tongue
- bad breath
- sore throat
- skin problems
Treatment:
Treatment involves the administration of omeprazole and antibiotics. This is a very expensive treatment which also carries the risk of adverse effects and resistance to antibiotics. In addition, there is an enormous spread of the infection Helicobacter Pylori so more and more people are turning to natural methods to prevent Pylori symptoms from returning.
Thanks to James P Corrigan
