Helicobacter Infection: Everything You Should Know in 2022

H.Pylori is a kind of bacteria that infects your digestive tract. If left untreated, H. Pylori can lead to sores and ulcers in the stomach lining or the upper portion of your small intestine. Sometimes, it also results in stomach cancer. H. Pylori infection is very common, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. It’s the reason why H. Pylori treatment is common in these countries. Research highlights that about two-thirds of the global population suffer from H. Pylori. For most individuals, H. Pylori infection doesn’t lead to ulcers or any other symptoms. If you suffer from H. Pylori infection, take certain medicines that will kill the germs.

 

Symptoms of H. Pylori infection

You will feel a burning sensation in your belly when you have an ulcer. The pain will come and go, but you will feel the most when the stomach is empty. In most instances, you may sense the pain between meals and in the middle of the night. Generally, these symptoms last for a few minutes or hours. You will feel better after you eat or take an antacid. The symptoms of H. Pylori infection include:

1. Burping
2. Bloating
3. Nausea
4. Feeling full all the time
5. Weight loss for no reason

When ulcers bleed into the stomach or intestines, it can be dangerous for your health. Under such circumstances, you should take medical help immediately for the treatment of H. Pylori. In case you have any of these symptoms, you need to seek medical help right away:

1. Black or dark red stools
2. Breathing trouble
3. Dizziness
4. Pale skin color
5. Vomiting
6. Sharp stomach pain

Treatment for H. Pylori

When you suffer from H. Pylori infection, you need treatment to kill the germs. The medicines will heal your stomach lining and prevent the sores from coming back. Usually, it takes 1 to 2 weeks to get better. However, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs aren’t the option as these medicines increase the risk of developing an ulcer. H. Pylori infection can be treated with a combination of acid-reducing proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics:

• Antibiotics: Doctors usually prescribe two antibiotics, namely, amoxicillin and clarithromycin. Sometimes, antibiotics like tetracycline and metronidazole are also recommended for Pylori treatment.
• Proton pump inhibitor: The common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, and pantoprazole.
• Bismuth subsalicylate: This drug can be added to the proton pump inhibitor combinations and antibiotics. Bismuth subsalicylate comes in handy when it comes to protecting the stomach lining.

Can you prevent H. Pylori infection?

Yes, H. Pylori infection can be prevented if you are careful enough. Follow these tips to reduce the risk of H. Pylori infection:

1. It’s recommended to drink clean water since this is beneficial for your gut health. You should also use pure water while preparing the food.
2. You need to wash your hand with soap and water before eating something and after going to the bathroom.
3. Pylori infection is very common and you don’t have to worry about it. The options for the treatment of H. Pylori are also there. All that you need is to take the necessary medicines. These medicines will reduce the symptoms of H. Pylori infection and can heal the ulcer if you have any. When the symptoms are severe, you have to visit a doctor immediately. He will advise you to undergo an H. Pylori infection test to detect the characteristics of bacteria precisely.