Helicobacter Pylori Infection Symptoms
Helicobacter Pylori is a type of bacteria that dwell on certain areas underneath the mucus layer beside the stomach. The following are the classic signs and symptoms of h. pylori infection:
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Constipation – Because h. pylori induce gastric acid production, foods are not processed properly leading to constipation.
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Chest pains – When h. pylori have inflamed the stomach, pain can reflect on other body parts including the chest and the area between the shoulders.
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Heartburn – The bacteria cause too much secretion of gastric acids causing reflux into the esophagus.
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Halitosis – When the h. pylori react with the acid in the stomach, it creates ammonia that leads to bad breath.
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Anemia – H. pylori gets into the absorption and digestion of minerals in the body which includes iron. Iron deficiency anemia can occur when the bacteria gets into food digestion.
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Gastric pain – This happens when the bacteria inflames in the intestine or stomach lining. Pain can also be due to gases as a result of the slow digestion brought by the bacteria.
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Bloating – This is due to the formation of gases when the digestive system becomes inflamed. When fats and sugars are not digested, it leads to the growth of yeast. When these feed on the undigested sugars, they emit off gases causing flatulence and bloating.
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Other symptoms include vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, and gastritis.
Helicobacter Pylori Infection Causes
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The bacteria helicobacter pylori can be transmitted from one person to another through direct contact of infected feces, vomit, or saliva. The bacteria can also spread to greater population when contaminated water or food is consumed.
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People under poor socio-economic situations such as lack of clean water source, poor sanitation, and crowded living conditions are very much susceptible of acquiring diseases and bacteria including helicobacter pylori.
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Poor personal hygiene can also lead to exposure to h. pylori infection.
Helicobacter Pylori Infection Treatment
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Before treatment is initiated to a patient with h. pylori infection, series of test has to be done to determine the extent of the infection and the areas involved.
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The primary line of treatment is combination of antibiotic and proton pump inhibitor drugs. Antibiotics used for such case can be amoxicillin, clarithromycin, penicillin and metronidazole. The proton pump inhibitor medications are lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole and pantoprazole.
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When the above treatment fails, addition of stronger drugs such as bismuth subsalicylate can be initiated.