Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria and H Pylori Treatment

Do you know that H. pylori infection can increase the possibility of having stomach cancer? Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria, which causes duodenal or upper small intestine ulcers and stomach gastric ulcers. Helicobacter pylori bacteria may cause ulcers by developing in the stomach lining, thereby producing inflammation and leading stomach and intestinal lining to be easily damaged by the stomach acid.

It is said that more than one half of the world population have H. Pylori bacterium. However, many people infected with the helicobacter pylori bacteria don’t develop ulcers. Commonly found in the stomach, most H Pylori infected people don’t have visible symptoms. According to medical reports, this infection is capable of creating various digestive problems, including ulcers and stomach cancer. It is still not clear why few people with the bacteria get these conditions while others don’t.

Risks

Helicobacter pylori bacteria spreads due to in-taking contaminated water or food with fecal substance. The bacterium invades protective tissue which lines the stomach. This leads to release of toxins and certain enzymes. These toxins and enzymes can directly or indirectly damage the cells of the duodenum or stomach. On the whole H. pylori cause changes to duodenum and the stomach. As result of all these changes, duodenum and stomach are much more vulnerable to major damage caused from the digestive juices like stomach acid. This causes persistent inflammation in walls of the duodenum and the stomach.

In countries like the United States, helicobacter pylori infection during childhood is not common but it becomes a major concern during the adulthood. On the other hand, in most developing countries, children are diagnosed with the H. Pylori infection before the age of 10.

H. Pylori Treatment

The H. pylori bacteria can be effectively eliminated by antibiotics which are specifically directed to eliminate this bacterium. Two antibiotics are usually suggested by the medical practitioners. This helps to reduce the risk of the antibiotic resistance and treatment failure. But, no single medicine cures the helicobacter pylori bacteria. The entire treatment involves taking several medicines for 7 days to 2 weeks.

Most treatment schedules include a medicine called the proton pump inhibitor. This medicine decreases the production of acid in the stomach. This allows damaged tissues to heal. Some of the common examples of the proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole and pantoprazole.

The best possible H. pylori treatment routine continues to be examined. However, American College of Gastroenterology recommends 4 specific drug regimens which come with a combination of at least 3 medications. Following these regimens can help infected individuals to cure helicobacter pylori bacteria or infection. Keep in mind to make H. Pylori treatment regimen effective. To ensure this, it is significant enough to take the full course of all medicines prescribed.