What is Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria Infection and When Should I Be Concerned?

More than two-thirds of the world’s population have helicobacter pylori bacteria, making it one of the most common infections. Usually, people get it as kids but don’t realize it because the majority of infected people, roughly 80%, don’t develop symptoms and it does not cause any problems.

The bacteria is spread from one person to another through contaminated food, water, or coming into contact with an infected person’s saliva or other body fluids. In this post, we’ll discuss H. pylori infection in detail, explaining what it is, its causes, and how you can get early treatment.

What is Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria Infection?

Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria Infection usually occurs in the lining of the stomach. The bacteria damages the lining of the stomach resulting in different gastrointestinal issues such as peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, and even stomach ulcers.

H. pylori bacteria can easily survive in an acidic environment of the stomach. It does this by producing an enzyme referred to as urease that converts urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, which neutralizes stomach acid. 

Ultimately, ammonia weakens the lining of the stomach, leaving stomach cells exposed and vulnerable to damage by stomach acid and other digestive fluids like pepsin. This eventually results in the formation of sores or ulcers in the stomach or the duodenum.

While H. pylori infection is generally asymptomatic, symptoms can occur in some patients. The symptoms vary widely in intensity and may include persistent stomach pain, or discomfort, nausea, feeling full or loss of appetite, bloating, and frequent burping.

What Does Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria Infection Cause?

The ability to produce urease enables H. pylori to thrive in the highly acidic stomach environment where it damages mucous lining, contributing to chronic inflammation. If not detected early enough and managed well, helicobacter pylori infection can cause a host of other gastrointestinal conditions such as:

• Peptic ulcers

H. pylori infection is the common cause of peptic ulcers, which are painful open sores found on the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or upper part of the small intestine. Peptic ulcers occur when the bacteria eradicate the mucous membrane and expose the stomach cells, esophagus, and the lining of the small intestine to acids and digestive fluids.

Depending on where the sores occur, peptic ulcers can have different names. Gastric ulcers occur in the stomach, duodenal ulcers are found in the small intestines while those that develop in the esophagus are called esophageal ulcers.

• Gastritis

When the stomach lining is damaged by H. pylori, it can become irritated and swell, a condition referred to as gastritis. The condition can be acute resulting in rapid onset of severe symptoms, or chronic, characterized by long-term inflammation and discomfort.

• Stomach Cancer

Persistent H. pylori infection is considered a potent carcinogen that raises the risk of developing gastric (stomach) cancer also called adenocarcinoma. If left untreated, long-term inflammation of the stomach can cause stomach cancer, especially when combined with other risk factors of cancer such as smoking, and a family history of stomach cancer.

• Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissues

Research indicates that .pylori infection can lead to MALT lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the immune tissue in the lining of the stomach. This rare condition results from the chronic stimulation of the immune system by the bacteria.

• Dyspepsia

One of the major causes of functional dyspepsia is H. pylori. Functional dyspepsia has symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, distension, and vomiting but with no ulcers.

• Iron Deficiency Anemia

H. pylori infection can contribute to iron deficiency anemia by causing chronic gastrointestinal bleeding or affecting iron absorption in the stomach, leading to decreased iron levels in the body. Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by symptoms such as fatigue and weakness.

When should I be Concerned about H. Pylori Bacteria Infection?

If you suspect you might have helicobacter pylori infection, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor will carry out tests such as breath tests, stool tests, blood tests, or an endoscopy to diagnose H. pylori bacteria. Early detection and treatment can help prevent complications and improve your digestive health.

Some symptoms that should get you concerned about H. pylori infection include:

Persistent Stomach Pain

The infection causes abdominal discomfort, described as a constant burning, gnawing, or aching. The pain is usually severe and lasts 2 or 3 days, worsening stomach emptiness, especially at night. 

Bloating

You may experience an uncomfortable sensation of bloating or gas in your stomach despite taking little food. Typically, bloating resulting from H. pylori is constant, extremely uncomfortable, and may be accompanied by other symptoms associated with digestive issues.

Frequent Burping

Passage of gas through the mouth, which is more frequent than usual, or even accompanied by a sour acidic taste. Together with the recurrent burping, you may experience symptoms such as backache and nausea.

Unexplained Weight Loss

H. pylori can cause rapid weight loss over a month, usually losing more than 5% of your body weight, despite making no changes to your regular diet or exercise regime.

Loss of Appetite

You may start consuming a smaller portion of food than usual, and skipping meals for no apparent reason because the infection makes you feel full. H. pylori bacteria affects the levels of leptin and obestatin, hormones responsible for regulating appetite.

Dark or Bloody Stools and Vomit

You may notice dark or blood-stained stools and vomit, which is a sign of serious bleeding. Consult a doctor immediately if you have dark stools or vomit that resembles coffee grounds.

Ways People Can Get Early Treatment for H. Pylori Bacteria Infection

H. Pylori Bacteria Infection should be treated immediately after it is discovered to prevent adverse conditions like peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. Early treatment can positively improve patient outcomes and greatly reduce the chances of getting gastrointestinal disorders. Below are some ways to ensure patients get treated early.

Education and Awareness

Since H. Pylori Bacteria Infection is largely asymptomatic, most people do not realize they have the infection until damages have been done. Creating awareness and educating people about the disease and its signs and symptoms through community programs can help people identify the illness early and seek medical intervention. 

Public Health Screening Programs

Offering free screening in regions or populations with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection is useful for early diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Such programs go a long way in benefiting societies, especially regions with high infection rates. 

Diagnostic Tests

Tests such as the urea breath test and the stool antigen test are accurate in diagnosing H. pylori. They are also easy to administer and do not require the use of endoscopes. These tests are prescribed by a physician and can be used as first-level screening.

Here’s how some of these tests are carried out and what they test.

• Blood antigen test: Your blood is tested for antibodies against H. pylori. This test can be used to check for both past and present infections. Its disadvantage, however, is that it is unable to distinguish between active and past infections because antibodies can exist in blood long after an infection has cleared.

• Stool antigen test: In this test, stool provided by a patient is tested for the presence of H. pylori. The test is used to diagnose any active infection, but it can also be used to check whether the treatment administered is effective.

• Rapid urease test: A sample biopsy from your stomach is put into a container having urea and gel. The color change of the gel is observed after a few minutes. If H. pylori is present, urea is converted to ammonia, changing the color of the gel. No color change indicates the absence of H. pylori.

Using Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors like Flagyl, Biaxin, and Tindamax work by blocking the small ‘pumps’ or glands in the stomach that produce acid in the stomach.  

Primary Care Consultation

Visiting a primary care physician when experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms can lead to early diagnosis. Primary care doctors can perform initial evaluations and refer patients for further testing if H. pylori infection is suspected.

Endoscopy for At-Risk Individuals

In cases where symptoms are severe, or you have a family history of stomach cancer or history of peptic ulcers, your doctor may suggest an upper endoscopy. In endoscopy, a biopsy can be made to check for the presence of H. pylori and give a definite answer.

How to Prevent Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria Infection

You can reduce the chances of H. pylori infection by maintaining high hygiene standards. Below are some ways to prevent infections:

• Clean your hands with soap and water after visiting the bathroom

• Wash raw food thoroughly before eating

• Use soap and water to clean cooking surfaces and kitchen spills

• Only drink clean safe water

Conclusion

Helicobacter pylori infects the stomach lining without any noticeable signs or symptoms. However, when they occur, symptoms can range from minor discomfort to more complicated effects such as peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.

Early detection and timely medical intervention are crucial for managing H. pylori infection effectively. Non-invasive testing methods and appropriate treatment with antibiotics and proton inhibitors can help identify and eradicate the bacteria and prevent complications like gastrointestinal bleeding and chronic inflammation.