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Helicobacter Pylori What is Helicobacter pylori? Helicobacter pylon (H.
pylon) is a type of bacteria that can
cause stomach irritation (gastritis) and ulcers. H. pylon may also be a factor
in the development of stomach cancer. How does it occur? H. pylon is a common
infection. By middle age 50% of adults have been infected with it. It
tends to spread among people who are living together, sharing food and
bathrooms. Doctors are trying to
learn why some but not most people infected with H. pylon have gastnitis and
ulcers. Stomach-irritating habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol may
contribute to these problems. What are the symptoms? Many people never have
any symptoms. If you have gastritis
or ulcers, the symptoms may be:
stomach pain
nausea or vomiting
loss of appetite. Symptoms may be worse
before or after meals. How is
it diagnosed? Your health care
provider will ask about your symptoms and your family history of stomach
problems. He or she will also ask how much alcohol and nicotine you are using.
You will have a brief physical exam. If your health care
provider tests you for H. pylori, there are three ways to do it:
A blood test,
which looks for antibodies to H. pylon
and is the least expensive test. It is about 90% effective in diagnosing H.
pylori. You may also have an upper GI x-ray to look for ulcers in your
stomach or small intestine.
The urea breath test, which checks for byproducts of H. pylori
bacteria. This test is not as readily available as the blood test, but it is
accurate. To do the test, you swallow a capsule containing urea. If you have an
H. pylon infection, the bacteria break down the urea. The byproducts of the urea
can be measured in your breath 10 minutes after you swallow the capsule.
Endoscopy, with a biopsy of the
stomach lining, which is the most direct method. An endoscope is a thin,
flexible tube with a tiny camera. The doctor inserts the endoscope through your
mouth down into your upper digestive tract. He or she can then look at the
stomach or upper intestine for signs of gastritis or ulcers. The doctor may
remove tiny pieces of stomach tissue (biopsies) through the tube. If H. pylon
are present, their effects on the stomach lining can be seen in the tissue
samples. How is it treated? Your health care provider may
recommend treatment only if you have symptoms of H.
pylon infection. If you do have
symptoms, you will probably take a combination
of medicines including antibiotics for up to 2 weeks. How long will the effects
last? Symptoms of H.
pylon infection usually improve within
a few days after you start taking the medicine. The symptoms may come back
later if you become reinfected. Common complications of H.
pylon infection are gastritis and ulcers. How can I help prevent H.
pylon infection? Doctors dont yet know how to
prevent H. pylon infection. Developed by McKesson Clinical Reference Systems. Published by McKesson Clinical Reference Syst~ms. This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Adult Health Advisor_2002.2 Index Adult Health Advisor 2002.2 Credits Copyright © 1991-2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved. |
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