Helicobacter pylori infection & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is infection

Infection Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a condition when the H. pylori bacteria infects your stomach. H. pylori is a bacteria that can damage the tissue of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine, aka the duodenum.

When these bacteria infect the stomach, inflammation can occur. Helicobacter pylori is also a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer.

Most people do not realize that they are infected with these bacteria because they do not experience serious symptoms. When the infection gets worse, these bacteria can trigger symptoms of stomach ulcers.

This is because H. pylori attacks the lining that protects the stomach. Then, the bacteria produce an enzyme called urease, which is an enzyme that neutralizes stomach acid and weakens the lining of the stomach.

As a result, stomach cells are more at risk of developing acid and pepsin, which can cause ulcers or ulcers in the stomach or intestines.

How common is this condition?

Infection Helicobacter pylori is a common digestive disease. More than half of the world's population experiences it and it tends to occur in developing countries.

This bacterial infection is also more common in children. Even so, it is not certain what causes and when people are infected with these bacteria.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of infection

Generally, people who are infected Helicobacter pylori did not show any symptoms or signs. It's not known exactly what causes it, but some people may have strong immune systems against the effects of H. pylori.

However, there are a number of conditions that can be symptoms of H. pylori, including:

pain accompanied by a burning sensation in the stomach,
severe stomach pain, especially on an empty stomach,
nausea,
loss of appetite,
frequent belching,
bloating, and
weight drops suddenly.

The symptoms mentioned may be similar to those of other ailments. Consult your doctor if you experience the above signs to confirm your condition.

When should I see a doctor?

If you experience any worrisome symptoms, see a doctor immediately, especially if you experience conditions such as:

prolonged stomach pain,
difficulty swallowing,
Bloody bowel movements, and
bloody vomit or vomit looks like coffee grounds.

Cause

What causes infection

So far it is not certain how bacteria are Helicobacter pylori infects humans. However, H. pylori bacteria can be transmitted in various ways, namely:

saliva,
contamination of feces in food or water,
vomit, and
poor level of environmental cleanliness

How is H. pylori infection spread?

When Helicobacter pylori Entering the body through the mouth, these bacteria will move through the digestive system, and attack the stomach or duodenum.

These spiral-shaped bacteria make use of the flagella that resemble their tails to move. This section also makes it easier for H. pylori to hide in the stomach lining, which can lead to inflammation.

Unlike other bacteria, H. pylori can survive in a harsh acidic environment. The reason is, these bacteria can produce stomach acid, namely urease.

Urease reacts with urea to form ammonia, a substance that is toxic to human cells. In fact, H. pylori can cause excessive stomach acid production depending on where the infection occurs.

Risk Factors

What factors increase my risk of becoming infected?

H. pylori infection is common in childhood. There are a number of factors that can increase a person's risk of becoming infected with bacteria Helicobacter pylori, among others:

live in dense settlements,
living in an environment with less clean water sources,
living in a developing country with poor sanitation facilities, and
live with someone with H. pylori infection.

Complications

What are the complications of infection

If your H. pylori infection is not treated properly, you are at risk of serious complications. Here are some of the complications caused by H. pylori bacteria.

Sores or ulcers

H. pylori infection can damage the protective lining of the stomach and small intestine. This condition allows stomach acid to cause open sores (ulcers).

Inflammation of the lining of the stomach

In addition to an injured stomach, this bacterial infection can also trigger irritation and cause inflammation (gastritis).

Stomach cancer

Infection Helicobacter pylori is one of the risk factors that can trigger certain types of stomach cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment

What are the tests to diagnose

If you have dyspepsia (ulcer) that recurs frequently, a test to detect H. pylori will usually be recommended by a doctor. Here are some tests to detect bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

Blood antibody test

A blood test is done to see if the body has created antibodies against the H. pylori bacteria. If the body has antibodies to these bacteria in the blood, it means that you are either infected or have had them.

Urea breath test

Apart from a blood test, a urea breath test is also done to see if you have the H. pylori bacteria or not. This examination is also used to see the success of treating the infection Helicobacter pylori.

Stool antigen test

A stool antigen test is also needed to detect whether a substance that triggers the immune system to fight bacterial infection is present in the stool. This test may be done to support the diagnosis of the disease or find out whether the treatment of this infection has been successful or not.

Abdominal biopsy.

Small samples are taken from the lining of the stomach and small intestine during the endoscopy. Several different tests can be performed on the biopsy sample.

How to treat bacterial infections

Treatment of H. pylori infection usually depends on your age and the severity of your symptoms. Here are a number of options for how to treat an infection Helicobacter pylori which is usually recommended by doctors.

Antibiotics

H. pylori infection is usually treated with at least two different antibiotics at once. It aims to help prevent bacteria from developing resistance to one particular antibiotic.

Acid-suppressing drugs

In addition to antibiotics, your doctor may also prescribe an acid-suppressing medication to help the stomach lining heal. There are also types of acid-suppressing drugs used to help treat H. pylori infection, including:

proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as omeprazole and esomeporazole,
histamine blockers (H2 blockers), namely cimetidine, and
bismuth subsalicylate otherwise known as Pepto-Bismol.

Always discuss with your doctor the best treatment for H. pylori infection for your condition.

Home Remedies

What are the lifestyles that need to be lived during infection

In addition to undergoing treatment from a doctor, you also need to change your lifestyle to be healthier to speed up the healing process, including:

avoid spicy and acidic foods,
stop consuming alcoholic beverages,
quit smoking, and
undergo routine checkups.

Is there any way to prevent the spread of H. pylori infection?

Although it is not certain how the H. pylori bacteria is transmitted from person to person, it doesn't hurt to adopt healthy habits to stay safe. These healthy habits include: