HELICOBACTER PYLORI

HELICOBACTER PYLORI

Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that grows and lives in the digestive tract. It infects and attacks the stomach lining, which leads to ulcers in the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. In some cases, this infection may lead to stomach cancer.

When Helicobacter Pylori enters your body, the bacteria will bring severe damage resulting in bleeding, infections, and keeping the food from moving through your digestive tract. Moreover, you may obtain this bacteria from water, food, utensils, or places with no good sewage systems. You can also get the bacteria through droplet transmissions with infected people. 

SYMPTOMS

Most people with H. pylori do not have specific signs or symptoms. However, the following symptoms may be associated with H. pylori:

  • Excessive burping
  • Bloated
  • Nausea
  • Heartburn
  • Fever
  • Anorexia or lack of appetite
  • Weight Loss
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Anemia
  • Blood in the stool

When the infection results in an ulcer, the symptoms may also include abdominal pain, described as gnawing pain.

 

It is always best to seek medical attention if you have any of the mentioned symptoms above.

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will ask if your family has any history of the disease, your medical history, your symptoms, and any medicines you take.

Moreover, your doctor will perform the following procedures and tests to confirm their diagnosis:

  • Physical exam
  • Checking your stomach for signs of bloating, tenderness, or pain
  • Blood test
  • Stool test
  • Breath test

Also, your doctor will use the following devices to check your ulcer:

  • Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. 
  • Upper GI tests
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan

To check for stomach cancer, your doctor may conduct the following:

  • Physical exam
  • Blood tests 
  • Fecal occult blood test
  • Endoscopy 
  • Biopsy
  • CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

TREATMENT

After diagnosis, your doctor will prescribe some medicine to help you recover. The options include:

  • Antibiotics (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, and tinidazole)
  • Drugs that lessen the amount of acid in your stomach (dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole.
  • Bismuth subsalicylate)
  • Medicines block your stomach to make more acid (cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine) 

It is essential to follow all the instructions of your doctor. Ask for the best treatment options and how to handle side effects.

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