Stress, spicy foods, type A personality. Which of these causes most stomachulcers? The answer: none of them. Research shows that most ulcers -- 80% of stomach ulcers and 90% of those in the duodenum, the upper end of the small intestine -- develop because of infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
How H. pylori Makes You Sick
H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium commonly found in the stomach. The bacteria's shape and the way they move allow them to penetrate the stomach's protective mucous lining, where they produce substances that weaken the lining and make the stomach more susceptible to damage from gastric acids.
The bacteria can also attach to cells of the stomach, causing stomach inflammation (gastritis), and can stimulate the production of excess stomach acid. Over time, infection with the bacteria can also increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Although it is not known how H. pylori infection is spread, scientists believe it may be contracted through food and water. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 20% of people under 40 years old and half of adults over 60 years old in the U.S. are infected, with higher rates in developing countries.
Symptoms of H. Pylori
Having H. pylori infection doesn't necessarily mean you'll have ulcers or develop stomach cancer. In fact, most people infected with the bacteria never have symptoms or problems such as ulcers. Only a small number of people with the infection develop stomach cancer. It's not clear why some infected people develop ulcers and others don't.
When H. pylori does cause symptoms, they are usually either symptoms of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. The most common symptom of peptic ulcer disease is gnawing or burning abdominal pain, usually in the area just beneath the ribs. This pain typically gets worse when your stomach is empty and improves when you eat food, drink milk, or take an antacid.
Other symptoms may include:
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Burping
- Nausea
- Vomiting (vomit may be bloody or look like coffee grounds)
- Black, tarry stools
How H. pylori Is Diagnosed
Several types of tests are available to help diagnose H. pylori infection and/or ulcers. These include:
Upper GI (gastrointestinal) series. An X-ray of the upper GI tract -- theesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Prior to the X-ray you must swallow a chalky liquid called barium, which makes ulcers show up on the X-ray.
Endoscopy. A procedure that involves snaking a thin, flexible tube with a camera down the esophagus, through the stomach, and into the small intestine to view the upper GI tract.
Blood test. A test that looks for antibodies in the blood that indicate exposure to H. pylori.
Stool test. A test that uses a small sample of stool to look for evidence of infection.
Urea breath test. A test used to check for the presence of a gas produced by the bacteria.
Treatments for H. Pylori
There a number of treatments for H. pylori infection. They include:
- Antibiotics to kill the bacteria
- Medications, including H2-blockers and proton pump inhibitors, to reduce the amount of stomach acid
- Surgery to treat ulcers
Doctors used to advise people with ulcers not to eat spicy, fatty, or acidic foods. However, it is now known that diet has little if any effect on ulcers for most people.Smoking, on the other hand, can interfere with the healing of ulcers and has been linked to their recurrence. If you smoke and have ulcers, that is another reason to stop.
The appropriate treatment for you will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Your age, health, and medical history
- The severity of infection or stomach damage
- Your ability to tolerate certain medications or treatments
- Your treatment preference
As with most health conditions, the best treatment for H. pylori is prevention. Right now, there is no vaccine against H. pylori, and because doctors don't fully understand how the bacterium is spread, there are no guidelines for preventing it. However, it is always important to protect yourself from GI infections by washing your hands well and frequently, practicing safe food preparation and storage, and drinking water from a safe source.
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