Your Guidebook to Helicobacter Pylori Disease

Helicobacter pylori are a common gastric pathogen (a corkscrew-shaped bacteria) which has been primarily associated with peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, gastritis, and low-grade gastric lymphoma. These bacteria were identified in 1982, until then all these conditions were thought to be caused by stress and poor diet.

There are a number of diagnostic tests and treatments available for H. pylori. Should you have bloating, stomach pain, nausea, and tarry stools for a longer time than usual, it is necessary to get yourself checked.

H. pylori is believed to be present in the upper gastrointestinal tract of around 50 percent of the world’s population. Of these, over 80 percent of cases are entirely without symptoms. Of those who are symptomatic, an H. pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.

The following symptoms are developed with acute gastritis which might become chronic gastritis if the conditions persists –

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Belching
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetit

  Most people experience the pain when the stomach is empty, which can be during the early morning hours or in between meals. It is commonly described as "gnawing" or "biting."

If you have these symptoms, chances are you have helicobacter pylori disease.

Stomach Ulcers

There's about 10 - 20 percent of a lifetime risk for developing stomach ulcer if one has H. pylori infection. Gastric ulcer, or the pyloric antrum typically occurs in stomach itself which can develop into a duodenal ulcer. The easiest way to diagnose the various kinds of ulcers is by the timing of symptoms. A gastric/peptic ulcer usually cause pain immediately after eating, while duodenal ulcers take around two to three hours to develop.

The severity of these health effects typically overlap with gastritis and might even result in gastric bleeding or development of anemia.

Signs -

• Shortness or difficulty in breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Black stool
• Bleeding in stool
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Vomiting of blood

Stomach Cancer

One of the most severe conditions of helicobacter pylori disease is stomach cancer which accounts for more than 60 percent of the cases. However, only 1-2 percent of them have the lifetime risk. The chronic gastritis will need emergency medical attention if there is persistent inflammation which might affect pre-cancerous changes in the stomach lining.

That being said, it is not always about the H. pylori infection that leads to the body condition but other contributing factors such as obesity, family history, smoking, and unhealthy diet can also further the situation.

The early stages often go without any symptoms in case of stomach cancer. In fact, people generally disregard any signs of indigestion, heartburn, or loss of appetite. With the development of malignancy, the symptoms can include anything such as -

• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent weakness and fatigue
• Bloating after meals
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Blood in stools or tarry stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting of blood

How to cope up with the condition?

Even after you have been diagnosed with H. pylori infection, there might be several trial-and-error attempts needed to cure your condition. One of the most effective ways is to include supplements that contain pylopass in your regular food habit. You should also consider the following points to get a better result -

• Be careful about blood thinner medication if you are going for H. pylori treatment
• Avoid aspirin and other NSAIDs to prevent any further stomach irritation or gastric bleeding
• Have proper advise on iron supplement consumption (even though they are useful for the treatment of anemia, it might have a different effect on gastric bleeding)
• Avoid acidic foods, caffeine, spicy foods, or carbonated beverages. Ask your dietician what your best meal should contain. High-fiber fruits and vegetables, probiotic foods such as yogurt and kombucha, or plain chicken and fish are some of the top choices.
• Find out the various stress reduction techniques which can control the stomach acid production.

If you're experiencing any of the aforementioned complications, or other issues related to gastritis that affects the regular quality of life, ask your doctor for a proper investigation.