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Urgent
HELICOBACTER PYLORI – “SILENT CULPRIT” CAUSING ULCERATIVE GASTRODUODENITIS
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is considered the "silent culprit" behind most cases of ulcerative gastroduodenitis. This bacterium can reside in the stomach for many years without causing obvious symptoms, leading patients to be complacent. Only when mucosal lesion progresses more severely, complications such as ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and even stomach cancer gradually appear. Understanding H. pylori, its transmission routes, and warning signs will help you proactively protect your and your family's digestive health.
What is H.pylori?
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria capable of living in the protective mucous layer of the stomach lining. It is the leading cause of chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and increases the risk of stomach cancer if not treated promptly.
According to medical research, H. pylori invades and secretes the enzyme urease – a substance that helps neutralize the acidic environment. However, this process weakens the protective mucous layer, allowing acid and digestive enzymes to easily attack the lining, causing inflammation and ulcers. Furthermore, the bacterium can firmly adhere to stomach cells, causing redness and deeper lesion.
The alarming fact is that H. pylori is very common: many people carry the bacterium in their bodies without knowing it, only seeking medical attention when uncomfortable symptoms or severe complications appear.
What are the transmission routes and who is susceptible to H. pylori?
Currently, the transmission mechanism of H. pylori is not fully understood, but experts believe the bacterium can be transmitted through:
Oral-oral contact.
Contact with vomit or feces of an infected person.
Consuming unsanitary or undercooked food.
Drinking contaminated water.
Some factors that increase the risk of H. pylori infection:
Age: The incidence increases with age, especially over 50.
Origin: People living in areas with poor sanitation and high population density are more susceptible.
Time of infection: Many people are infected from childhood and carry the bacterium in their bodies for many years.
Warning signs
Most people infected with H. pylori do not experience obvious symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they commonly include:
Dull, burning pain in the epigastric region.
Pain that worsens when hungry, at night, or 2–3 hours after eating.
Pain relief after eating or taking antacids.
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Bloating, belching, and indigestion.
Weight loss and anemia due to prolonged microscopic bleeding.
Dangerous signs requiring immediate medical attention include: vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, and rapid, unexplained weight loss.
Dangerous complications if not treated
H. pylori can cause:
Recurrent ulcerative gastroduodenitis.
Gastrointestinal bleeding.
Gastric perforation, which is life-threatening.
Pyloric stenosis, causing digestive tract obstruction.
Increased risk of stomach cancer.
High infection rate: In many Asian countries, up to 50–70% of the population has been infected with H. pylori.
Unclear symptoms: The majority of patients do not experience early symptoms and are only detected when inflammation or ulcers have already developed.
Significant risk of complications: Ranging from chronic gastritis to gastroduodenal ulcers to gastric cancer.
Meanwhile, other causes such as alcohol consumption, NSAID pain reliever use, and stress also cause ulcers, but H. pylori still accounts for the largest proportion and is considered the main cause.
H.pylori treatment
The treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection not only helps heal ulcers but also prevents dangerous complications later on. Typically, the treatment regimen includes:
Antibiotics: A combination of different antibiotics is used to eradicate the bacterium.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) or H2-receptor antagonists: These reduce gastric acid secretion, creating a favorable environment for the gastric lining to recover.
Mucosal protective agents: These cover and act as a "shield" to protect the stomach, helping it to be less damaged by acid during the recovery process.
The most important thing is for the patient to strictly adhere to the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor, taking the full dose for the full duration, and absolutely not stopping medication midway. If treatment is incomplete, H. pylori can become drug-resistant, making eradication more difficult.
After completing the course of treatment, the doctor may order tests such as a breath test, stool test, or endoscopy to ensure the bacterium has been completely eliminated. This is a necessary step to ensure long-term treatment effectiveness and prevent recurrence.
H. pylori prevention – starting from daily habits
To limit the risk of infection and spread of Helicobacter pylori, each person can actively take the following small but effective steps:
Maintain hand hygiene: Wash hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, before eating or preparing food. This is the simplest way to prevent bacteria from spreading through the digestive tract.
Eat cooked food, drink boiled water: Always ensure food is thoroughly cooked, and drinking water has been boiled or safely filtered. Minimize eating raw or undercooked food or food from unknown sources.
Do not share eating utensils: If someone in the family is infected with H. pylori, it is necessary to use separate bowls, chopsticks, spoons, and cups to reduce the risk of oral transmission.
Regular health check-ups: Gastroscopy or necessary tests should be performed when there are prolonged symptoms of digestive disorders. Early detection of H. pylori and timely treatment will help prevent dangerous complications such as gastric ulcer or cancer.
H. pylori is a leading cause of gastric ulcers and can lead to cancer if not detected and treated promptly. Screening for this bacterium is an important step in protecting stomach health, especially in individuals with prolonged digestive symptoms or a family history of stomach disease.
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