What is helicobacter pylori and how does it affect your stomach?

There is a spiral shaped bacteria in the digestive tract that has a tendency to attack the inner walls. Causing stomach ulcers and gastritis it is known as helico pylori or helicobacter pylori. Helico means spiral and that is how the bacteria looks under the microscope. This bacteria is stronger than the immune system and has the ability to regulate the acidic environment so that they can survive any condition. 

Helico pylori could be found in everyone and they are harmless in most cases. However, if they are attacking the digestive tracts, it can lead to inflammatory conditions, peptic ulcers, and other digest tract issues observed in the majority of the elders. It is believed that about 60% of the world’s adult population are suffering from some kind of infection triggered by this helicopter.  

What triggers helicobacter?

Helico pylori co-existed with mankind for thousands of years. The medical experts are still unclear what exactly stimulates it to attack the inner linings of the digestive tract. When a person comes in touch with another person carrying the active bacteria is believed to be the reason behind the attack. The contamination routes can be through feces and mouth which makes washing hands properly an imperative hygiene habit all the while not just in the time of pandemic. 

What happens when the bacteria is active?

Helico pylori has the ability to penetrate the stomach mucous lining while neutralizing the stomach cell’s ability to stand the intense stomach acids. This is the reason people suffer ulcers, stomach ache, inflammation and bloating.    

What are the symptoms of helicobacter pylori?

The symptoms of just the presence of helicobacter are next to nil. But when the bacteria is active and leads to an ulcer, the person might find the following symptoms. The pain comes and goes like a gnawing pain associated with heartburn or a burning sensation in the abdomen. If the pain continues, it is recommended to visit your nearest gastro care hospital or a gastro doctor. 

The other symptoms include burping, bloating, nausea, fever, anorexia or lack of hunger, difficulty in swallowing, anemia, and blood in stools. 

What are the risks and who are in it?

People of any age can be infected by this bacteria especially people with poor hygiene. People who are stressed, and consume foods with high acidic content are also at risk. As mentioned earlier, helicobacter pylori alone is harmless but when the infection is started it can lead to various conditions that can put the person’s day to day life in jeopardy. 

The serious medical complications including internal bleeding, cuts in the abdominal cavity, and obstruction of food passage through the intestines. Many medical researches have suggested that people with helicobacter infection are at greater risk for stomach cancer. If you have any of your immediate relatives who have been diagnosed with stomach cancer, ensure you consult a gastro doctor to evaluate the exact cause of the symptoms.  

What is the treatment for helico pylori?

During the diagnosis, your gastric doctor will conduct the physical examination followed by questions on your lifestyle and medications that are in use. Diagnosis for helicobacter pylori starts with your stomach doctor checking for the signs of bloating, pain and tenderness. Then the specialist might prescribe blood and stool tests for further evaluation. 

But it is the breath test that helps in the diagnostic process. The patient is asked to consume certain urea for which the bacteria reacts by releasing carbon dioxide in the reaction process. This will be detected by a special equipment, confirming the presence of the active helico. In addition, endoscopy is used to view the abdominal areas to collect the samples for tests. Treatment for helicobacter involves medications such as antibiotics combined with drugs that reduce the stomach acid release. If the ulcers or the infections could not be treated with medications, the doctor might perform surgery. 

What are lifestyle changes to avoid helicobacter pylori?

Washing hands often and keeping the surroundings clean helps in a long way. Also, avoid smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and reduce the intake of junk, oily, and spicy foods that might help the inflammation.