Helicobacter Pylori or widely known as H. Pylori. The first time i come across this was when i was enrolled in Microbiology class. H. Pylori sounds cute. Right? Cute but deadly. hahaha. I thought of blogging about this bacteria because several friends of mine are positive with H. Pylori after having done endoscropy and one mom of my friend, it helps her develop stomach cancer. So I hope that with this post, I can share to you abit of the important facts about this bacterium.
WHAT IS H. PYLORI?
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that causes chronic inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach (gastritis) in humans. This bacterium also is the most common cause of ulcers worldwide. H. pylori infection is most likely acquired by ingesting contaminated food and water and through person to person contact. Infected individuals usually carry the infection indefinitely unless they are treated with medications to eradicate the bacterium. One out of every six patients with H. pylori infection will develop ulcers of the duodenum or stomach. H. pylori also is associated with stomach cancer and a rare type of lymphocytic tumor of the stomach called MALT lymphoma.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
1. Blood antibody tests
2. urea breath tests (UBT)
3. stool antigen test
4. endoscropic biopsies
HOW TO TREAT?
H. pylori is difficult to eradicate from the stomach because it is capable of developing resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, two or more antibiotics usually are given together with a PPI and/or bismuth containing compounds to eradicate the bacterium. (Bismuth and PPIs have anti-H. pylori effects.) Examples of combinations of medications that are effective are:
a PPI, amoxicillin (Amoxil) and clarithromycin (Biaxin)
a PPI, metronidazole (Flagyl), tetracycline and bismuth subsalicylate
These combinations of medications can be expected to cure 70%-90% of infections. However, studies have shown that resistance of H. pylori (failure of antibiotics to eradicate the bacteria) to clarithromycin is common among patients who have prior exposure to clarithromycin or other chemically similar macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin). Similarly, H. pylori resistance to metronidazole is common among patients who have had prior exposure to metronidazole. In these patients, doctors have to find other combinations of antibiotics to treat the H. pylori. Antibiotic resistance is another reason why antibiotics should be used carefully and judiciously for the right reasons, and indiscriminate use of antibiotics for improper reasons should be discouraged.
WHY TREAT H. PYLORI?
Chronic infection with H. pylori weakens the natural defenses of the lining of the stomach against the ulcerating action of acid. Medications that neutralize stomach acid (antacids), and medications that decrease the secretion of acid in the stomach (H2-blockers and proton pump inhibitors or PPIs) have been used effectively for many years to treat ulcers.
Antacids, H2-blockers and PPIs, however, do not eradicate H. pylori from the stomach, and ulcers frequently return promptly after these medications are discontinued. Hence, antacids, H2-blockers or PPIs have to be taken daily for many years to prevent the return of the ulcers and the complications of ulcers such as bleeding, perforation, and obstruction of the stomach. Eradication of H. pylori prevents the return of ulcers and ulcer complications even after the medications are stopped. Eradication of H. pylori also is important in the treatment of the rare condition known as
MALT lymphoma of the stomach. Treatment of H. pylori to prevent stomach cancer is still controversial.
Good Food for people with Ulcers:
Whole-grain or enriched, seedless breads and grains:
Breads
Bagels
Tortillas
English muffins
Hamburger and hot dog buns
Dinner rolls
Pita bread
Cereals
Enriched rice
Enriched barley
Enriched noodles, spaghetti, macaroni, and other pastas
French toast, muffins, pancakes, and waffles made with low-fat ingredients
Low fat crackers
Vegetables (Fresh, Frozen, Canned)
Fruit (Fresh, Frozen, Canned )
Fruit juice as tolerated
Milk and Dairy Products:
Low fat and non-fat milk and milk products
Cheese with less than 5 grams of fat per ounce
Plain mild cheeses
Low-fat and nonfat yogurt
Low-fat cottage cheese
****
Meat and Meat Substitutes
All lean meat:
Beef
Pork
Lamb
Veal
Poultry (without the skin)
All fresh, frozen, or canned fish packed in water
Crisp bacon
Lean ham
Eggs
Smooth peanut butter and nut butters
Soybean curd (tofu) and other meat substitutes
Dry beans and peas prepared without fat
Soups
Mildly seasoned meat stock or cream soups
Foods to avoid for a person with Ulcers:
Spicy Foods
Fried Foods
Coffee
Decaffeinated coffee
Tea
Cola drinks
Carbonated beverages
Citrus fruits
Tomato-based products
Chocolate
Cut down on alcohol and smoking, too
date source: internet
photos: http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGkyUOZcJHkiUAyK5XNyoA?p=image+of+stomach+ulcer&y=Search&fr=slv8-msgr&ei=UTF-8
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