From the Guidelines
H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect your stomach and small intestine, and it's essential to get treated if you're infected to prevent conditions like gastritis, stomach ulcers, and stomach cancer. This infection is quite common, affecting about half of the world's population, as stated in the 2021 study published in Gastroenterology 1. H. pylori can cause inflammation in your stomach lining, leading to various symptoms, including stomach pain, bloating, nausea, frequent burping, and sometimes weight loss. The bacteria spreads through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with an infected person's saliva.
To diagnose H. pylori, your doctor may perform a breath test, stool test, blood test, or take a small tissue sample during an endoscopy. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing medications for 10-14 days. However, due to increasing antibiotic resistance, recent guidelines recommend quadruple therapies for initial therapy, as mentioned in the 2019 study published in Gastroenterology 1. It's crucial to complete the full course of treatment even if you feel better before it's finished, and good hygiene practices, like washing hands thoroughly and consuming clean food and water, can help prevent H. pylori infection. After treatment, your doctor might recommend follow-up testing to ensure the infection is gone.
Some key points to consider:
- H. pylori infection is a significant risk factor for noncardia gastric adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent form of gastric cancer, as stated in the 2021 study 1
- The infection can cause peptic ulcer disease and is linked to 15% of the total cancer burden globally
- All major gastroenterological societies recommend that H. pylori be eradicated in individuals who test positive, as mentioned in the 2021 study 1
- Good hygiene practices and completing the full course of treatment are essential to prevent and treat H. pylori infection effectively.
From the Research
What is H. pylori
- H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- It is a common cause of peptic ulcers and gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Symptoms of H. pylori Infection
- Abdominal pain or discomfort 3, 4
- Nausea and vomiting 3, 4
- Bloating and gas 3, 4
- Loss of appetite 3, 4
- Weight loss 3, 4
Treatment of H. pylori Infection
- A combination of antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole, is typically used to treat H. pylori infection 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, are often used in combination with antibiotics to reduce stomach acid and help heal the stomach lining 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- The treatment regimen and duration may vary depending on the individual case and the presence of any underlying conditions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6