What is Helicobacter Pylori?

H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium found in the stomach, which (along with acid secretion) damages stomach and duodenal tissue, causing inflammation and peptic ulcers. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), H. pylori causes most all of the ulcers. The NIDDK estimates that about 20 percent of people under 40 years old and half of those over 60 have it.  It is believed that H. pylori's shape and characteristics cause the damage that leads to ulcers.

What causes Helicobacter Pylori?
Researchers do not yet know what causes certain people to develop H. pylori-related symptoms or ulcers. It is believed that H. pylori is transmitted orally from person to person through close contact (kissing) or through fecal-oral contact.

Symptoms of Helicobacter Pylori
The following are the most common symptoms of ulcers. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

Soon after being infected with H. pylori, most people develop gastritis - an inflammation of the stomach lining. However, most people will never have symptoms or problems related to the infection. When symptoms are present, they may include:

• Abdominal discomfort, which may:
• Be a dull, gnawing pain.
• Occur two to three hours after a meal.
• Come and go for several days or weeks.
• Occur in the middle of the night when stomach is empty.
• Be relieved by eating or taking antacid medication.
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating
• Burping
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The symptoms may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori
Treatment may include:

• Antibiotics (to kill the bacteria)
• Medications (to suppress acid production), including the following:
• H2-blockers (to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach by blocking histamine, a powerful stimulant of acid secretion)
• Proton pump inhibitors (to more completely block stomach acid production by stopping the stomach's acid pump - the final step of acid secretion)
• Stomach-lining protectors (to protect the stomach lining from acid and help kill the bacteria)

Source:  www.placentialinda.staywellsolutionsonline.com/library/encyclopedia Online Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/