H. pylori… a bacterium that attacks the digestive system and causes excruciating pain
Amman Today
publish date 2021-12-19 09:48:07
Many people suffer from severe health problems related to the stomach and intestines without knowing the causes or even ways to treat them.
H. pylori bacteria
H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can enter the human body and live in the digestive system, and may cause ulcers in the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine, after several years of infection, while The level of infection increases the risk of stomach cancer for some people.
According to the American medical website WebMD, Helicobacter pylori infection is a common occurrence, and according to estimates, about two-thirds of the world’s population is infected with this bacteria without ulcers in most of them, and medicines are available that can kill germs and help heal ulcers, and healthy habits are considered Good and clean water is one of the most important prevention methods.
Doctors have believed for decades that people develop ulcers from stress, spicy foods, smoking, or other lifestyle habits, but when scientists discovered the H. pylori bacteria in 1982, they found that germs were the cause of most stomach ulcer symptoms.
H. pylori enters your body and attacks the stomach lining that contains the acid the body uses to digest food. Once the bacteria has done enough damage, the acid can penetrate the lining, leading to ulcers, which in turn can cause bleeding or inflammation, or block the movement of food through the digestive system. .
H. pylori can be transmitted to humans through food, water, or utensils, and is more common in countries or communities that lack clean water or good sanitation systems. The bacteria can also be acquired through contact with the saliva or other bodily fluids of infected people. According to the site.
Many people get H. pylori in childhood, but adults can also get it, as the germs live in the body for years before symptoms start, but most people who get it will never develop ulcers, while doctors remain unsure why some people become infected. Only with ulcers after infection.
If you have ulcers, you may feel a dull or burning pain in your stomach intermittently, but you are likely to feel it more when your stomach is empty, for example, between meals or in the middle of the night. These pains can last for a few minutes or hours, and you may feel better after eating, drinking milk or taking antacids.
Other signs of an ulcer include:
blowing
burping
Not feeling hungry
nausea
vomiting
Losing weight for no apparent reason
Ulcers can bleed into your stomach or intestines, which can be dangerous to your health. It is important to get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:
Bloody, dark red, or black stools
breathing difficulties
Dizziness or fainting
Feeling very tired for no reason
pale skin tone
Vomit that has blood in it or looks like ground coffee
Severe and sharp stomach pain
You should also pay attention to some symptoms that may indicate stomach cancer:
Abdominal pain or bloating
nausea
Not feeling hungry
Feeling of fullness after eating a small amount
vomiting
Losing weight for no reason
According to WebMD, to obtain a proper diagnosis, it is best to undergo a medical test, and some medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also damage the lining of the stomach, so it is important to know the cause of the symptoms so that you can get Appropriate treatment.
Among the most important medical tests to detect H. pylori bacteria in the body, which must be performed under the supervision of a specialist doctor:
Blood and stool tests
urea breath test
Upper GI endoscopy.
computerized tomography (CT) scan
If there are tumors:
Blood tests to check for anemia
Fecal occult blood test
biopsy
Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
The site notes that you can protect yourself from infection with H. pylori with the same steps you take to keep other germs away:
Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food, and teach your children to do the same.
Avoid unclean food or water.
Do not eat anything that has not been thoroughly cooked.
Avoid food served by people who have not washed their hands.
Although stress and spicy foods don’t cause ulcers, they may prevent them from healing quickly or increase pain.
It’s best to talk to your doctor about ways to manage your stress, improve your diet and get help to quit smoking.
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