Helicobacter Pylori Infection- What You Wanted to Know

 Helicobacter Pylori or H Pylori actually refers to a kind of ‘bacterium’ which may cause stomach diseases to anyone and everyone. Such infection may cause various other diseases as well. Like for instance, inflammation in your stomach, bloating or, gastritis, duodenum, ulcers, nausea, and even heartburn.

According to medical science, H. pylori infection usually occurs when a person swallows unhygienic fluid or food. Hence, the helicobacter pylori infection is very common all over the world. It is reported that the given rate of such infection rises with the age. Hence it usually occurs more often in the aged people.

H. Pylori infection is common in areas where sanitation is completely overlooked and is really poor or the living quarters are found in a bad state. In most cases, such infection doesn’t produce any symptoms. It tends to remain restricted to gastric area and most probably it continues unless and until any kind of specific h pylori treatment is offered.

When we consume food, it travels through a tube (esophagus) which links the throat right to the stomach. After that it enters bigger upper part of stomach. Now a natural acid which assists to break down the food secretes in the stomach.

The lower and the narrower part of your stomach is considered the antrum while the first part of small intestine that lies just beyond stomach is called duodenum. The antrum included in the stomach comes covered with a mucous layer which helps guard from the powerful acid found in the stomach. The problem is the shielding mucous layer often gets affected thereby allowing powerful stomach acid to harm the underlying stomach cells.

It was first known that drugs like aspirin, and ibuprofen and even alcohol can upset protective mucous layers. Again, it was found that smoking, corticosteroids and constant stress can contribute to the disruption of the protective layer in some way injuring the stomach cells. In mid 1980s, some other factors were established which even led to the problem of ulcers and gastritis. Since 1980s, it became evident that h pylori bacteria actually have a key role in causing various diseases.

Certain symptoms are common with people who are diagnosed with helicobacter pylori gastritis. These symptoms include nausea, bloating and also a feeling of anxiety. Individuals can also have certain symptoms which suggest ulcers. The pain or burning sensation found in upper abdomen generally occurs after taking the meals or even during the night and often lasts for about an hour. Such symptoms are momentarily calmed by taking antacids, or certain other medications which can reduce the stomach acidity. Medical practitioners in such cases suggest antibiotic treatment so as to clear the illness while relieving the symptoms.

For h pylori treatment, doctors usually advise the acid minimizing medicines to treat infection with the help of antibiotics. One such antibiotic is bismuth and is sold over the counter in the name of Pepto- Bismol. Bismuth is also available as generic medicine. It is called the bismuth subsalicylate. Moreover, a combination of various antibiotic drugs is used to prevent such h pylori bacteria.