Helicobacter pylori (Helicobacter pylori) are unique pathogenic microorganisms that are the causative agents of a very dangerous disease called Helicobacter pylori. How to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori? Symptoms will be discussed in this article. Helicobacteriosis often affects the stomach, but it can also develop in duodenum. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori received this name due to the environment where it lives, that is, in the pyloric department of the stomach. The peculiarity of this microorganism is that it can withstand gastric acid. Helicobacter pylori (the symptoms of the disease will be described below) have flagella, with the help of which this bacterium is able to move freely along the walls of the organ, and also securely fasten to them. So, let's take a closer look at the danger that this bacterium poses to the human body, and also how to get rid of it.
general information
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori can lead to the development of a variety of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, since after reproduction it provokes irritation of the mucous membrane, as a result of which an inflammatory process develops. In this case, we are talking not only about simple gastritis or an ulcer, but also about the development of cancer. If therapy is not started when the first symptoms of Helicobacter Pylori are timely, then very dangerous consequences for the body can occur.
A bit of history
For the first time, these pathogenic spiral microorganisms that live in the human stomach were described about 100 years ago by the Polish scientist V. Jaworski. After some time, these bacteria were also found on the gastric mucosa in animals. Over the years, specialists have turned a blind eye to this infection, not even suspecting the danger that it carries. But in the late seventies, the famous scientist Warren noticed that these bacteria live on the inflamed mucous membranes of the stomach.
As it turned out, the vital activity of these microorganisms was studied by German scientists, although not completely. But in those days this fact was not given any special significance. As a result of long studies that were carried out to study these bacteria in detail, the scientists still smiled on luck. Laboratory staff on Easter holidays accidentally left several cups with bacterial cultures not for two days, but for 5 days. Thanks to this incident, specialists recorded an incredible growth of colonies of microorganisms.
The first research results were published in 1983, but the bacterium was called campylobacter pyloridis. But a little later, the researchers refuted the previous discoveries, as it soon became clear that these bacteria have nothing to do with the genus campylobacter. Based on this, microorganisms became known as Helicobacter pylori.
Bacteria features
The main feature of this microorganism is its ability to withstand a very acidic environment in the stomach, while many bacteria and viruses simply die in such conditions. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is able to easily adapt to the strong acidity of the stomach, using two mechanisms for this:
- When a bacterium enters the stomach, it begins to move along the mucous membrane. She carries out these movements with the help of special flagella. Hiding in the gastric mucosa, this microorganism protects cells from a large amount of acid. Thus, the bacterium selects the most optimal habitat for itself.
- Microorganisms Helicobacter pylori also provoke the production of ammonia, which reduces acidity in the stomach. Thanks to this, the bacterium can easily settle on the walls of the stomach, while remaining in its place for many years.
Another feature of the bacterium is its ability to provoke an inflammatory process in the gastrointestinal tract. During reproduction, it provokes the gradual destruction of the stomach cells, and substances that are secreted by the microorganism can cause a chronic inflammatory process, as well as gastritis. If the mucous membranes of the duodenum and the stomach are weakened, then erosion and ulcers will begin to form, which only increase the risk of oncology. That is why many experts believe that Helicobacter pylori is one of the main provocateurs of the oncological process in the stomach.
When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to begin treatment with antibiotics. With the help of antimicrobials, the level of acidity in the stomach is regulated. Specific medicines are prescribed by the doctor after conducting the necessary research, as well as referring the patient to other diagnostic instrumental procedures.
Causes
There are three ways to infect this bacterium: iatrogenic, oral-oral, and oral-fecal. However, there is an opinion that this microorganism can also be transmitted from animals to the host or by flies during infection. Children are most exposed to infection. Bacteria can be transmitted between people in three ways:
- Iatrogenic. In this case, infection is determined by diagnostic procedures. For example, a healthy person can become infected during an endoscopy or through poorly sterilized medical instruments that had direct contact with a patient’s gastric mucosa.
- Oral-oral. Experts are convinced that the Helicobacter pylori bacterium also lives in the oral cavity. That is why the infection can be transmitted during a kiss, in the case of the use of other personal hygiene products, as well as in the case of poorly washed forks or spoons.
- Fecal-oral. Microorganisms are excreted together with feces. It is possible to become infected with bacteria in case of contact with dirty water or some food.
Despite the fact that Helicobacter pylori can provoke histological gastritis in any infected person, symptoms of pathology manifest themselves very rarely. Most often, gastritis or a stomach ulcer develops, cancer of this organ is rarely diagnosed.
Symptoms
If signs and symptoms of Helicobacter pylori have been detected, treatment should be carried out immediately to avoid possible consequences. When this microorganism enters the stomach, bacteria vital products begin to be actively released. They begin to irritate the mucous membrane, which causes inflammation. What are the manifestations of the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori? Symptoms will depend on the form of the disease. There are only five varieties of this microorganism. We will get acquainted with each of them in more detail.
Asymptomatic or latent form
An infected person in this case does not have any alarming symptoms, especially if the immune system is very strong, able to withstand this bacterium. But even if the signs and symptoms of Helicobacter Pylorii did not appear, treatment must be done, since the person is a carrier. In this way, he is able to infect others. In the case of a long stay of microorganisms in the stomach, complications can occur, which includes oncology.
Acute gastritis
This disease manifests itself in the form of pain, nausea, as well as loss of appetite. Gastritis can go into a chronic form, with periodic relapses.
Chronic gastritis
This pathology is one of the most important manifestations of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. During an exacerbation, the patient feels severe pain in the stomach, nausea, sometimes vomiting, headaches, as well as loss of appetite. In addition, if the stomach was struck by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the patient suffers from heartburn, bloating, belching, flatulence. Non-specific symptoms appear, for example, bleeding gums, bad breath.
Chronic gastroduodenitis
In this case, the pathological process begins to affect the duodenum. Symptoms are similar to signs of gastritis, with chronic gastroduodenitis, stool disorders in the form of constipation may appear. At the same time, the patient loses his appetite, he has nausea, and sleep is also disturbed. A change in the mucous membrane is detected only during endoscopy. These lesions can be severe, moderate or mild.
Stomach ulcer
If untreated, Helicobacter pylori will continue to multiply. One possible complication is a stomach ulcer. It can also occur for other reasons, such as smoking, alcoholism, stress, unhealthy work, and more. Ulcers and erosion form in the case of deep lesions of the gastric mucosa. Pathology manifests itself in the form of severe pain in the stomach, nausea, the formation of a white coating on the tongue, flatulence, vomiting, indigestion, heaviness in the epigastric region, and heartburn. If the first symptoms are detected, it is necessary to begin treatment of the disease so that the ulcer does not torment the patient.
If we are talking about external signs, then the patient has a skin or subcutaneous rash in the form of pink or white small pimples. In most cases, they are localized on the face. Often this disease is also the cause of the development of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, eczema or erythema.
Analyzes
If you have the first symptoms of Helicobacter Pylori, you should check your body without fail to avoid possible unpleasant consequences for the body. Diagnosis can be carried out by an invasive method, as well as non-invasive. Of course, the most reliable will be invasive methods, for example, endoscopy. Thanks to the collection of tissue from the gastric mucosa, the specialist thoroughly examines this biomaterial to identify the focus of the inflammatory process and the direct presence of the bacterium itself. In addition to microscopic examination, samples of gastric tissue can be subjected to various laboratory tests.
Laboratory studies are aimed at determining Helicobacter pylori, as well as evaluating its vital functions. Throughout its entire cycle, the bacterium breaks down gastric urea to ammonia, thus creating favorable conditions for its vital functions. If a piece of the gastric mucosa is placed in urea, ammonia will begin to be released. Due to this, the amount of alkalinity in the solution increases, but such changes can be detected only with the help of special test strips. The indicators are operated on the principle of litmus paper.
Possible consequences
We continue to consider the symptoms and treatment of Helicobacter pylori. Medications for the treatment of this disease will be described below. In order for them to be effective, it is necessary to consult a specialist in time if you suspect the presence of this bacterium. If you ignore the symptoms, various complications can occur. In addition, this way you can avoid the infection of healthy people. Speaking specifically about possible complications, then this should include:
- Chronic gastritis.
- KDP and YABZH.
- Oncology of the stomach.
- Endocrine pathologies that are caused by atrophy of the epithelial coating of organs.
To avoid such consequences, you should also not begin self-medication. If the first symptoms of the disease appear, which were mentioned above, be sure to contact a qualified gastroenterologist.
Therapy Features
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to assess the degree of damage to the organ, as well as its walls. In some patients, over time, these microorganisms become a type of opportunistic microflora, and therefore may not manifest themselves in any way. If the bacterium does not harm the patient’s health in any way, then removal is not performed. But in order to cure the infection, it is required to use powerful antibacterial agents. In turn, they can greatly weaken the immune system and provoke intestinal dysbiosis.
If after the analysis a positive Helicobacter Pylori (IgG - test for detecting bacteria) was found, then pay attention to the fact that you should not use folk remedies for therapy. The use of infusions and decoctions only temporarily eliminates the symptoms of the disease, but the disease progresses.
Therapeutic methods
The treatment regimen will include a comprehensive medical approach. If, after analysis, antibodies to Helicobacter Pylori were detected, the specialist prescribes the use of medications to the patient. As a rule, they are selected strictly individually. Mandatory use of drugs included in the group of proton pump inhibitors. The duration of treatment will depend on the assessment of the severity of the disease, as well as on the results of the examination of the patient. As a rule, the entire course takes 2-3 weeks. After completing the therapeutic course, the specialist makes repeated laboratory tests for Helicobacter Pylori to confirm the patient's full recovery.
Antibiotic use
Despite the fact that this microorganism belongs to the group of pathogens, not all antimicrobials can destroy Helicobacter pylori. It was said above what this means - Helicobacter Pylori. However, it should also be mentioned that these microorganisms rapidly develop resistance to all antibacterial drugs, which greatly complicates the whole process in therapy. In some cases, specialists have to combine several drugs at once, thus achieving a positive effect. In addition, the acidic environment in the stomach can become an obstacle to the activation of drug components, as well as slow down the entire therapy process.
If Helicobacter pylori is positive, what does it mean? This suggests that there are pathogens in the stomach. For treatment, a specialist prescribes the following antibiotics:
- "Azithromycin";
- Clarithromycin;
- cephalosporin series;
- Levofloxacin.
The highest effect in the treatment of inflammation of the gastric mucosa, as well as the ulcers formed there, is characterized by Amoxicillin, as well as its analogue Flemoxin Solutab. However, in the case of a positive test for Helicobacter Pylori, other medications may be prescribed: Amoxiclav, Augmentin. The composition of these medications contains clavulanic acid, which prevents the production of specific enzymes by bacteria. In turn, this will prevent the development of resistance to microorganisms.
Power Features
In order to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract during therapy, as well as after the end of the treatment course, the patient should follow a special therapeutic diet. The following rules include such a diet:
- The diet should be fractional, you need to eat a little, but often.
- From your diet you will have to exclude fatty, fried, spicy, spicy foods, pastries and buns.
- During the diet you need to drink plenty of plain water.
- Low-alcohol drinks and all alcohol should be discarded.
- It is necessary to exclude pickles, marinades, fast foods, sparkling water, as well as other harmful dishes from the diet.
At first, it is very difficult for patients to follow such a diet, but if you want to take care of your own health, you must go through it. Over time, patients get used to such a diet, without noticing the restrictions on food.
For convenience, you can familiarize yourself with a sample menu for those people who suffer from Helicobacter pylori:
- For breakfast, Hercules porridge, cottage cheese pancakes, and fruit compote are used.
- At afternoon tea, you can eat curd soufflé, drink it with a cup of chamomile tea.
- At lunchtime, soup is prepared, made from chicken broth with the addition of lean meat. As a second, you can use fresh or stewed vegetables with fish steam patties.
- For afternoon tea, milk or fruit jelly with the addition of baked apples is used.
- A steamed turkey would be ideal for dinner. As a side dish, you can eat boiled potatoes.
- As a late dinner, low-fat kefir or tea based on rose hips are used.
Please note that all dishes must be selected strictly individually. This will depend on the stage of the disease. The specialist also takes into account the risk of possible exacerbations and many other factors.
Prevention
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In conclusion, it is worth noting that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a dangerous microorganism that can provoke various kinds of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. When the first symptoms of the presence of this microorganism appear, you must seek the help of a doctor, otherwise it can be fraught with the development of gastritis, ulcers, as well as stomach cancer.