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H-Pylori: What Is It? Its Symptoms, Dangers And Treatment

 

Abdominal pain is one of the common symptoms of H. Pylori infection. [File, Standard]

Several Twitter users on Thursday, November 25, took to the micro-blogging site to narrate their experiences with bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori).

The users observed that H. Pylori seems to be a common infection that most city dwellers risk contracting at one point or another.

"When you visit any city hospital to seek treatment for a stomach upset, chances are high that the doctors will test you for H. Pylori, and the results will return positive," said one of the Twitter users.

This observation is supported by research, which shows that the prevalence of H. Pylori in Kenya is about 65 per cent in all age groups.

Kenyans living in urban centres are at a higher risk of contracting H. Pylori infection, with the prevalence in the towns standing at 62 per cent compared to 56 per cent in rural settings.

People who have contracted H. Pylori know it's a terrible bacterium.

What is H. Pylori?

Medical publication Web MD states that Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) is a type of bacteria. The 'H' is the short form for Helicobacter. "Helico" means spiral, meaning the bacteria is spiral-shaped.

"Germs can enter your body and live in your digestive tract. After many years, they can cause sores, called ulcers, in the lining of your stomach or the upper part of your small intestine. For some people, an infection can lead to stomach cancer," the publication says.

Causes of H. Pylori

Research conducted by microbiologists in Kenya in 2019 show that poor sanitation could cause someone to contract H. Pylori.

According to the research, the infections are prevalent in areas where there is poor sewerage system. Urban centres in Kenya are the most affected with Nairobi and Meru counties leading the pack at 87,770 and 84,280 cases in 2020 respectively.

"People usually catch it from another person (through saliva) or if they eat food or drink water that has been contaminated with faeces," Kimang'a Nyerere, a Microbiology lecturer at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), wrote.

Healthline.Com also attributes causes of the infection to contaminated water and food, and through direct contact with saliva.

Symptoms

American academic medical centre Mayo Clinic says most people may not immediately show signs and symptoms of the infection. This is because "some people may be born with more resistance to the harmful effects of H. Pylori".

The common symptoms, however, include nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, loss of appetite, excessive burping, dark stools (due to presence of blood in stool), heartburn, headache, weight loss and general body weakness.

Treatment

H. Pylori treatment lasts two weeks.

If you've been diagnosed with H. Pylori, avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs can increase your risk of developing an ulcer.

H. Pylori-caused ulcers are treated with a combination of antibiotics and an acid-reducing proton pump inhibitor, says my.Clevelandclinic.Org.

Antibiotics: usually two antibiotics are prescribed. Among the common choices are amoxicillin, clarithromycin (Biaxin), metronidazole (Flagyl) and tetracycline.

Proton pump inhibitor: commonly used proton pump inhibitors include lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex) or esomeprazole (Nexium).

Bismuth subsalicylate: sometimes this drug (for instance, Pepto-Bismol) is added to the antibiotics plus proton pump inhibitor combinations mentioned above. This drug protects the stomach lining.

How do you reduce chances of contracting H. Pylori? Drink clean water and use clean water during food preparation. This is especially important if you live in areas known to have a contaminated water supply.

It's also advised that you wash your hands thoroughly (20 seconds) with soap and water before eating and after using the bathroom.

So far, there is no vaccine to prevent H. Pylori infection. However, there are promising results from a late-stage clinical trial. In this trial, children given the vaccine were protected against H. Pylori infection for up to three years.

What are the risks that H. Pylori pose to a patient?

H. Pylori has been identified as a Group I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as approximately 89 per cent of all gastric cancers can be attributed to H. Pylori infection, says Scientific Research (www.Scirp.Org).

Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide and the ninth-highest cause of cancer in Kenya: a major cause of morbidity and mortality.

The incidence of gastric cancer is highly variable by region and culture, however, is more frequently diagnosed in developed nations.

The frequency of gastric cancer in the study was 1.4 per cent, which is considerably lower than as reported in a study conducted in 2018 where the prevalence was 3.67 per cent.

Despite Kenya posting a 65 per cent H. Pylori prevalence rate, there are other countries in Africa that have higher prevalence percentages.

Egypt has a prevalence rate of 91.7 per cent, Gambia (97 per cent), Ghana (75.4 per cent).

The figures in Africa are almost twice as high as the average rates in developed countries of 34.7 per cent.

Diet And Lifestyle Tips For Gastritis And Stomach Ulcers

Dietary and lifestyle choices may help manage gastritis and stomach ulcers. Foods such as broccoli and berries may be beneficial, while spicy foods and alcohol may make symptoms worse.

Gastritis is a digestive condition that involves inflammation of the stomach lining. Symptoms include indigestion, burning stomach pain, nausea, and frequent burping.

Untreated gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers, which are open sores that develop within the stomach lining. They can lead to life-threatening complications. Chronic stomach inflammation also increases the risk of stomach cancer.

There are different types and causes of gastritis. A common cause is infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) bacteria. Other causes include the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a high consumption of alcohol, and some inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease.

Some foods may increase the risk of H. Pylori infection, and certain dietary habits can trigger stomach lining erosion and lead to ulcers.

A person with gastritis may find it difficult to eat, resulting in a loss of appetite and unwanted weight loss.

In this article, find out how certain dietary and lifestyle measures may help reduce or prevent gastritis symptoms.

Eating a nutritious diet may help improve the health of the gastric environment.

A 2023 review of studies concluded that eating natural foods may temporarily inhibit H.Pylori growth rather than eradicate it. Natural foods may also improve the effect of antibiotics an play a role in a person's immune response.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants, which can help ward off cell damage and disease by reducing levels of unstable compounds called free radicals in the body.

Natural foods that may help inhibit the growth of H. Pylori and improve the gastric environment include:

broccoli and broccoli sprouts

Angelica keiskei or ashitaba, a medicinal herb, which is available as a tea, powder, capsule, or leaf

Nigella sativa seed, which is available as an oil, extract, or powder

berries, such as raspberry, cranberry, bilberry, strawberrry, and elderberry

curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric

garlic

licorice root

lion's mane mushrooms

green tea

Foods and drinks that can make gastritis symptoms worse include:

alcohol

spicy foods

fizzy foods and drinks

acidic foods and drinks, such as orange juice

fried foods

Sometimes, an allergen can trigger inflammation. In this case, a doctor may recommend an elimination diet, which involves excluding certain food groups from the diet to see whether it affects symptoms.

For example, one team of doctors reported that dairy and eggs caused a type of gastritis in one person. The team had also investigated wheat, nuts, soy, seafood, and rice.

Anyone considering an elimination diet should speak with a doctor first, as it can cause nutritional deficiency.

Foods that increase the risk of gastritis

High intakes of the following foods can negatively impact the gastric environment:

red meats

processed meats

foods that are pickled, dried, salted, or smoked

alcohol

Studies have shown that salty and fatty foods, for example, can change the stomach lining. High-salt diets can alter the cells within the stomach, making them more prone to H. Pylori infection.

A high intake of alcohol can also contribute to stomach inflammation and make symptoms worse. It can also cause erosion of the stomach lining.

The following lifestyle measures may help prevent or manage gastritis:

Eat little but frequently: Eating five or six smaller meals throughout the day, rather than three larger meals, may help prevent weight loss and help reduce symptoms of indigestion.

Manage weight: Overweight and obesity may increase the risk of developing gastritis. A doctor can help develop a weight loss plan to reduce the risk of gastritis and other associated health issues.

Consider medications: A doctor may recommend medications, such as antacids, which neutralize the amount of acid the stomach produces. Regularly using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can increase the risk of damage to the stomach lining, which can trigger or worsen symptoms of gastritis.

Ask a doctor about supplements: Some dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics, may lessen the impact of gastritis. Iron supplements may increase the risk of gastritis.

Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of inflammation and mouth, esophageal, and stomach cancers.

Reduce stress: High levels of stress can trigger stomach acid production, which can worsen symptoms and inflammation.

Gastritis is a common digestive problem that can lead to stomach ulcers without treatment.

Dietary changes may help prevent gastritis and reduce symptoms, though there is no evidence that any specific diet can help.

It may be beneficial to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid processed foods and others high in added fat and salt.

4 Ways H. Pylori Increases Cancer Risk

Research reveals this common bacteria affects millions and poses significant cancer risks when left untreated

While conversations about cancer risk often center on genetics and lifestyle choices, emerging research highlights a more insidious threat lurking in millions of American stomachs. Helicobacter pylori, a common bacterium known as H. Pylori, now ranks as one of the leading infectious causes of cancer worldwide, responsible for an estimated 810,000 cancer cases annually.

Recent data from the American Association for Cancer Research reveals that approximately 13% of global cancer cases stem from pathogenic infections. Among these, H. Pylori emerges as particularly concerning, surpassing both human papillomavirus and hepatitis B in its cancer-causing potential.

Understanding the silent invader

H. Pylori establishes itself in the human stomach, often without immediate detection. Current estimates suggest 30% to 40% of Americans will encounter this infection during their lifetime, though many remain unaware of their carrier status.

The bacteria's ability to survive in the harsh stomach environment makes it particularly resilient. Once established, it can persist for years or even decades without detection, silently damaging the stomach lining and potentially triggering a cascade of health complications.

4 major health impacts

Chronic inflammation represents the primary mechanism through which H. Pylori damages stomach tissue. This persistent irritation can lead to gastritis, creating an environment conducive to more serious complications.

Stomach ulcers develop as the bacteria erode the protective mucus layer of the stomach. These painful sores can cause significant discomfort and, if left untreated, may lead to dangerous bleeding or perforation.

Pre-cancerous changes in stomach tissue occur in some infected individuals, particularly those with genetic predispositions or specific lifestyle factors that compound their risk.

Cancer development remains the most severe potential outcome. Medical research indicates that H. Pylori infection increases cancer risk between two and sixfold compared to uninfected individuals.

High-risk populations

The prevalence of H. Pylori varies significantly across different communities within the United States. Indigenous American populations face particularly high infection rates, with studies documenting 62% prevalence among Navajo adults in Arizona and 75% among Alaska Natives.

Socioeconomic factors play a crucial role in transmission risk. Communities with limited access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities show higher infection rates, contributing to health disparities in cancer outcomes.

Recognition and diagnosis

The challenge in identifying H. Pylori infections lies in their often subtle presentation. While some individuals experience noticeable symptoms such as persistent stomach pain or unexplained weight loss, others may harbor the infection without any obvious signs.

Medical professionals now employ several sophisticated testing methods to detect H. Pylori infections. These include urea breath tests, which measure bacterial activity in the stomach, and stool antigen tests that can identify specific markers of infection.

Treatment complexities

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has complicated H. Pylori treatment protocols. Current medical guidelines recommend combination therapy approaches, typically involving multiple antibiotics administered simultaneously with acid-suppressing medications.

Success rates for initial treatment regimens vary, with some patients requiring multiple courses of therapy to completely eliminate the infection. This highlights the importance of proper diagnosis and targeted treatment approaches.

Prevention strategies

While complete prevention of H. Pylori infection remains challenging, research supports several effective risk-reduction strategies. These focus primarily on improving sanitation practices and reducing person-to-person transmission within households.

Healthcare providers emphasize the importance of regular hand washing, avoiding shared eating utensils, and maintaining good oral hygiene. These simple measures can significantly reduce transmission risk, particularly in high-risk communities.

Future implications

Medical researchers continue to investigate new approaches to both treatment and prevention of H. Pylori infections. Current studies focus on developing more effective antibiotic combinations and exploring potential vaccine candidates.

Understanding the link between H. Pylori and cancer risk represents a crucial step in public health efforts to reduce cancer incidence. This knowledge particularly impacts communities with historically high infection rates, where targeted screening and treatment programs could significantly improve health outcomes.

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