H.Pylori (Helicobacter Pylori)

H. Pylori (Helicobacter Pylori)

Hello Friends!

                   Hope you all are doing well and like my previous post. Today we will talk about H.Pylori infection that is increasing day by day and causing trouble to people in digestion. As we all know that “Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory”. To live a healthy life one should consume less carbohydrate diet and eat food which is rich in fiber content like Fruits, Peas, Beans, Pulses, Nuts and Wholegrain Breads and Oats. Let’s talk about H.Pylori and how to cure this infection.

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H.Pylori:

H.Pylori (Helicobacter Pylori) is a type of bacterial infection. This bacterium enters into our body and upset our digestive tract.  This bacterium is mainly found in the stomach. H.Pylori was previously known as Camplyobacter Pylori. It was first identified by Australian Scientists Barry Marshall and Robin Warren. More than 50% of world’s population has H.Pylori in upper GI (Gastrointestinal Tracts). H.Pylori is more common in developing countries and in India it is increasing day by day due to poor sanitation.

Causes of H.Pylori Infection:

1. Drinking of Contaminated water: Contaminated water can be a source of H.Pylori infection. It is more common in developing countries due to growing population size, changing climate, poor sanitary conditions. People in developing countries consume water from wells thus suffer from upper GI related problems.

2. Unsanitized hands: H.Pylori infection also spread through unsanitized hands when a person does not wash hands after using bathroom.

3. Contaminated food: When you consume uncooked food from street vendors then chances of H.Pylori infection increases. This bacterium can be transmitted indirectly through consumption of same food at the same table.

4. Food of animal origin: H.Pylori infection also spreads through food of animal origin like sterilized milk, raw sheep milk because of presence of antibodies in poultry farms, slaughter house workers and in veterinary workers.

5. Vegetables: H.Pylori is also spread through vegetables. According to one study in Iran people who consume raw vegetables are more likely to be infected. Raw vegetables become contaminated when we wash them with unpurified water.

6. Yeasts: H.Pylori can also be found inside ‘Candida’ like Candida on bread, yogurt, banana inner skin. Yeasts are more likely to grow under conditions of high temperature, acidic pH value and high sanitation. Thus yeast upsets our upper GI tract.

How H.Pylori upset our stomach:

H.Pylori bacteria enter into our body and mostly live in our gastrointestinal tract. H.Pylori causes ulcers in lining of our stomach, ulcers in upper part of small intestine. Thus this infection upsets our stomach and can lead to stomach cancer also. When ulcers are present in stomach lining we get trouble in digestion of food and started passing excessive amount of gas. Ulcers in small intestine lead to bleeding in stool and causes anemia. 

Symptoms of H.Pylori: (In adults)

1. Loss of appetite: H.Pylori causes inflammation in lining of stomach. H.Pylori makes an enzyme called ‘Urease’. This enzyme makes your stomach acids less acidic and weakens your stomach lining and results in lack of appetite.

2. Weight Loss: H.Pylori mainly resides in your gut. H.Pylori thus effects your immune system and started shunting your energy level. This results in weight loss.

3. Vomiting.

4. Nausea.

5. Bloating.

6. Passing excessive amount of gas: H.Pylori, silent killer living inside all of us. Our stomach lining is coated to protect it from bacterial infection. But Urease enzyme in H.Pylori enables bacteria to burrow deep into walls of stomach results in excess gas.

7. Stomach pain: H.Pylori infection causes dull stomach pain in every 2-3 hours. This pain occurs mostly when stomach is empty.

8. Stomach ulcers: H.Pylori results in gastric ulcers or ulcers on the line that connects stomach to duodenum i.e. duodenal ulcer.

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms:

• Fatigue.
• Vomiting of blood.
• Shortness of breath.
• Black Stool. 
• Anemia.
• Blood in Stool.

9. Growth of Polyps: H.Pylori results in Hyperplastic Polyp. Hyperplastic Polyps are formed near stomach ulcer. Hyperplastic polyp is unlikely to become cancerous but depends on size. If size is larger than 1 c.m. then it carries a greater risk.

10. Stomach cancer: H.Pylori results in ulcers in stomach due to presence of enzyme Urease. It increases risk of stomach cancer. Studies show that people who are infected with H.Pylori are up to 8 times more likely to get stomach cancer. Smoking, stomach surgeries increase risk of stomach cancer.

Symptoms of H.Pylori (In Kids):

1. Vomiting.

2. Severe Stomach pain.

3. Difficulty Swallowing.

4. Blood in Stool.

Tests to diagnose H.Pylori:

1. Complete Blood Count Test (CBC).

2. Blood Antibody Test: This test measures immune globulins or antibodies in blood. Antibodies are proteins that are made by our immune system to fight against antigens like H.Pylori.

3. Stool Test: Stool test is required to detect a specific protein i.e. antigen on surface of bacteria. It helps in direct evidence of infection.

4. Breath Test: This test is performed by breathing into a prepared packet after swallowing a tablet which contains Urea. H.Pylori enzyme Urease breaks down urea into Ammonia and Carbon dioxide. When carbon dioxide is present in excess amount then test become positive and confirms presence of H.Pylori bacteria.

5. Upper Endoscopy: Upper endoscopy is done to check any abnormal growth like Hyperplastic Polyp due to H.Pylori. Doctor will also check stomach, esophagus, and duodenum up to Part 2 through endoscopy. If any polyps are grown doctor will take a tissue sample and that tissue sample requires biopsy.

6. Biopsy: Biopsy is done to check abnormal tissue, lesion, mass, tumor. Through biopsy doctor will check size of polyp and type of polyp. Mostly Hyperplastic Polyps are grown due to H.Pylori and these are benign. Chances of malignancy are rare if its size is less than 1 c.m.

Treatment for H.Pylori: (Consult your Doctor)

1. Proton Pump Inhibitors.

2. Antibiotics. 

Who is at higher risk of H.Pylori?

1. Age factor: Over 50 years old.

2. Geographical Factors: Mostly in developing countries.

3. Also common in children.

How to prevent growth of H.Pylori?

1. Eat clean food which is cooked properly.

2. Drink clean water.

3. Wash vegetables with clean lukewarm water.

4. Wash your hands properly before eating.

5. Wash your hands properly after using bathroom.

When to call doctor? If you experience any of the following symptoms:

1. Blood in vomit.

2. Bloody stool.

3. Weight Loss.

4. Fatigue.

5. Loss of Apetite.

6. Excess Gas.

7. Abdominal Pain.

8. Burning Sensation.

Natural Remedies:

1. Probiotics: It helps in growth of good bacteria in gut.

2. Green Tea.

3. Honey.

4. Fiber content like fruits, nuts, pulses etc.

5. Eat apple in an empty stomach. It will absorb acid from your stomach.

6. Green vegetables like Broccoli.

Natural remedies are not likely to harm you. Use these natural remedies with supervision of doctor.

H.Pylori complications:

1. Obstruction (checked through CT scan) that block food from leaving your stomach.

2. Perforation: When ulcer breaks through stomach wall.

3. Peritonitis: Infection in Peritoneum.

4. Internal bleeding (CBC Test) to check anemia.

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