Is gastritis the real cause of stomach inflammation? Let's talk about Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)!

Many of us have a problem with this stomach inflammation, called gastritis. For some, it has become a part of their lives. They are constantly taking some medicine and controlling their diet. But have you ever thought that the cause of this could be a small bacteria in your stomach? Yes, that's what we are going to talk about today. The name of this bacteria is Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori for short.

Simply put, who is this H. pylori?

H. pylori is a type of bacteria that lives in your stomach, or stomach lining. In fact, it's the most common chronic bacterial infection in the world. Just think, more than half of the world's population has this bacteria in their stomachs! But the amazing thing is, not all of them get sick.

Most of the time, we get this H. pylori infection when we are young. Children who live in crowded, unsanitary environments are especially at risk. But don't worry, most people have this bacteria in their bodies without causing any harm.

What really happens if you get infected with H. pylori?

You might be wondering how this bacteria can withstand the harsh stomach acids in our stomachs. The H. pylori bacteria has a special ability to do this. It produces enzymes that can neutralize the acid around it. It's like building a protective shield around itself.

Protected in this way, this bacteria slowly enters your stomach lining. Once there, it can cause chronic inflammation, or swelling, of the stomach lining. This can lead to three main problems:

1. Peptic Ulcers: This is the most common type. It is a painful sore that forms on the inner wall of the stomach or the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). This is what we call a 'stomach ulcer'.

2. Gastritis: This refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach. Simply put, it is the inside of the stomach becoming red and swollen.

3. Stomach Cancer: Don't be alarmed by this. Having H. pylori infection is only a risk factor for stomach cancer. That means not everyone infected with H. pylori will develop cancer. In fact, the majority of people with H. pylori never develop cancer.

What are the symptoms of H. pylori infection?

As we mentioned earlier, many people with H. pylori, especially children, do not show any symptoms. Only a very small number of people develop symptoms. If they do, they are often caused by the gastritis or stomach ulcers we discussed earlier.

The main symptom is a burning or gnawing pain in the stomach. This pain often occurs a few hours after eating and at night. The pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours. The pain can come and go for days or weeks.

You can see what other symptoms are associated with this infection in the table below.

Does H. pylori cause changes in stool?

This is a very important question. The majority of people with H. pylori have normal stools. This is because, as we mentioned earlier, many people have no symptoms.

For example, if your stool is dark black, like tar , it could mean that you're bleeding from an ulcer in your upper digestive tract, possibly caused by H. pylori. If your stool is red, it could be a sign of bleeding in your lower digestive tract.

If you notice black, tarry stools like this, don't ignore it. It's an emergency. You should see a doctor immediately. Or, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital. The doctor will find out the cause and provide the necessary treatment.

How is H. pylori transmitted?

Yes, it can be spread from person to person. The H. pylori bacteria are found in the saliva, vomit, stool, and dental plaque of an infected person. So there are two main ways it can spread:

• Close contact: You can get the infection by sharing eating utensils, drinking water, or contact with an infected person's vomit or stool. The bacteria can be spread to someone else by using the hands of someone who doesn't wash their hands thoroughly with soap after going to the bathroom.
• Contaminated food or water: In places with poor hygiene, this bacteria can enter our bodies through improperly cleaned water or food.

How does a doctor detect H. pylori?

If your doctor suspects this after listening to your symptoms, he or she will recommend several tests to confirm the infection.

• Breath Test: This involves giving you a special liquid to drink, and then testing your breath. If you have H. pylori bacteria, a special chemical can be detected in your breath after you drink the liquid.
• Stool Test: A sample of your stool is taken and tested for antigens related to the H. pylori bacteria.
• Blood Test: This tests your blood for antibodies that your body has made against H. pylori. However, it is difficult to tell for sure whether the infection is currently active or has been present for a long time.
• Upper Endoscopy: In this test, a small camera-equipped tube is inserted through your mouth and looks directly into your stomach. This can clearly see if there are any ulcers or inflammation. It can also take a small piece of tissue (biopsy) from a suspicious area and test it to confirm 100% whether H. pylori is present.

What are the treatments for H. pylori?

First of all, if you have H. pylori infection but no symptoms, most of the time you won't need treatment. But if you do have symptoms, your doctor will prescribe treatment.

The treatment usually lasts about 14 days and involves a combination of several medications.

• Antibiotics: These are given to kill bacteria. Usually, two different types of antibiotics are prescribed at the same time. For example, drugs like `(Amoxicillin)`, `(Clarithromycin)`, `(Metronidazole)`.
• Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI): This is a type of medication that reduces the amount of acid your stomach produces. Examples include `(Omeprazole)`, `(Lansoprazole)`, `(Esomeprazole)`. When the acid is reduced, stomach ulcers can heal and antibiotics can work properly.
• Bismuth subsalicylate: Sometimes your doctor may combine this medication with other medications. This provides protection for the stomach lining.

Also, if you have H. pylori infection, avoid taking painkillers that belong to the category of ``NSAIDs'' (e.g., Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) without consulting your doctor, as these medications may increase the risk of stomach ulcers.

If you have H. pylori, what foods are bad for you?

When you have H. pylori, certain foods can make your stomach upset and discomfort worse. While they may not affect everyone the same way, it's a good idea to be a little careful about the following foods.

How can you avoid this?

There are some simple things you can do to reduce your risk of contracting H. pylori.

• Drink clean water, especially in areas with contaminated water sources. Use clean water for cooking.
• Wash your hands thoroughly. Before eating and after using the bathroom, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This habit can help protect you from not only H. pylori, but also a host of other diseases.

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