Health: H. Pylori - Symptoms, Treatment And Management

H. Pylori (Helicobacter pylori) is an infection that occurs when the H. pylori bacteria infect your stomach. H.pylori is a common type of bacteria that grows in the digestive tract and has a tendency to attack the stomach lining. It usually infects the stomach during childhood. Roughly 60% of the world’s adults have this infection which is usually harmless but is responsible for the majority of ulcers in the stomach and small intestines. It’s still not known exactly how H. pylori infections are spread and why most people with it don’t exhibit any adverse signs or symptoms. What is known though are risk factors that increase a person’s probability of developing the infection.

Symptoms of H. pylori

After H. pylori bacteria your body, it attacks the stomach lining which usually protects you from the acid used to digest food. Once the lining is damaged, the acid gets through the lining causing painful ulcers. It’s not clear why most people with this infection do not show any signs or symptoms. One of the reasons that has been advanced is that some people may have been born with more resistance to the harmful effects of the bacteria.

An ache or burning in your abdomen
Severe, sharp stomach pain
Abdominal pain that’s worse when your stomach is empty
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Heartburn
Fever
Fatigue
Diarrhoea
Frequent burping
Feeling bloated
Unintentional weight loss

See your doctor if your symptoms include

Severe or persistent abdominal pain
Difficulty swallowing
A bloody or black tarry stool
Bloody or black vomit
Anaemia

Causes and risk factors

H. Pylori is contagious so you can get it through contact with the saliva or bodily fluids of an infected person. Your chances of infection are also partly dependent on your environment and living conditions.

Living in crowded conditions with an unreliable supply of clean water increases your likelihood of infection. For this reason, people in developing countries who live in crowded areas in unsanitary conditions are more likely to be infected. Living with someone who has H. pylori also increases your chances of infection. People of Mexican, Hispanic, and African descent also have a higher likelihood of developing the infection.

Diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori

Diagnosis

A doctor conducts a physical exam including examining your stomach for signs of bloating, tenderness or pain. A blood test and stool test are also conducted. You may also get a breath test and endoscopy. A breath test entails swallowing a preparation containing urea. If h. pylori are present an enzyme will be released which will release carbon dioxide which will be detected by a special device. If you have an endoscopy, a doctor will insert a thin instrument down your mouth into your stomach with a camera attached that will send images back to a monitor.

Treatment

Antibiotics
Medication to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach
Medication to block the chemical histamine which prompts your stomach to make more acid.

Treatment and management of H. pylori

Avoid poorly cooked food

This includes avoiding cold or raw. Avoid food that you think may have been poorly handled or improperly cleaned including fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish especially purchased in public open-air markets.

Avoid unsanitary areas

This includes areas near unclean water sources and sewage. Also, avoid areas where there are inadequate restrooms and cleaning facilities.

Avoid close contact with infected people and get tested

If someone close to you is infected, don’t let them prepare food, serve drinks, or touch things that are consumed, and they may accidentally contaminate the food. In the case that it’s your partner, avoid kissing or engaging in any sexual activity until they are treated. If a family member or someone close to you is infected, get tested as well just to be on the safe side.

Thoroughly wash your hands before eating and after using the washroom
Eat only in sanitary places
Quit smoking
Quit drinking alcohol

Foods to avoid

Diet is essential in treating and managing H. Pylori. Here are foods you should avoid while treating H. Pylori.

Caffeinated drinks including coffee, energy drinks, soft drinks, tea, chocolate and cocoa. Caffeine is by far the most important food to avoid.
Hot and spicy foods with chilli and peppers.
A high salt diet.
Fatty and fried foods including greasy foods, nuts, fatty dairy products like cheese, butter and whole milk, bacon fat, ham fat and fatty cuts of beef, pork and lamb.
Sugary baked goods like brownies, chocolates, doughnuts, ice cream, and all manner of pastries.
Citrus fruits including lemons, limes, and oranges.
Alcohol and carbonated drinks like soda.
Raw tomatoes and tomato containing products like tomato juice, ketchup and puree.
Cabbage and dried beans.
Acidic foods including corn oil, mayonnaise, soy sauce, vinegar, and maple syrup.