CONDITIONS TREATED

For many years it was thought the cause of ulcers was smoking, stress, lifestyle habits, etc. In 1982 it was discovered that the H. pylori bacteria and helicobacter pylori infection germs caused most of the ulcers.
H. pylori infections may arise from the water, food, contaminated utensils and poor sanitary measures. Generally, it is transmitted through saliva and the infected person’s body fluids. Most people catch the infection during childhood, and the infection can go undetected for many years. It is also unclear why some people develop severe ulcers while others may remain asymptomatic and ulcer-free.

H pylori treatment: Gastric ulcers, stomach cancers etc., due to H Pylori, may show up as dull or burning stomach pains that come and go, especially between meals and when resting at night. The symptoms generally subside with an antacid, a glass of milk or a light snack.
The H. pylori symptoms may include:

• Burping
• Nausea
• Bloating
• No hunger
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Swelling and pain in the belly
• Eating small amounts of food to feel full
• Weight loss due to unclear reasons

Doctors will test for H. pylori if you have ulcer symptoms or have a past history. This generally includes the following and is symptoms based.

• Physical Exam: The doctor generally will check symptoms, medical history and medications taken. The physical examination of your belly may involve checking for pain, swelling and tenderness by applying hand pressure on the belly region.

The doctor may order tests to check for H pylori infection, which include:

• Blood tests for anaemia like the haemoglobin and RBC count.
• Faecal occult blood test to detect bleeding in the stools.
• A urea breath test may be conducted where you drink a urea formulation and breathe into a bag for breath analysis. H Pylori bacteria convert urea into CO2, and hence higher volumes of the carbon-di-oxide typically indicate H Pylori infection.

If the doctor suspects H pylori infection connected to ulcers or stomach cancers, he may also order:

• Upper GI endoscopy: A small tube with a camera is inserted into the throat, stomach and intestines. The test is not painful and generally conducted when you are awake but comfortable.
• Upper gastrointestinal- GI Barium test: You will drink a Barium formulation and have an X-ray. The coating of Barium provides better X-ray images.
• CT- Computerized Tomography or MRI- Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans: The non-invasive tests are high-resolution x-rays of the inside of your body.

Although medical advice and treatment plans for H. pylori depend on the test results, you will be advised to cease alcohol consumption, smoking, eating spicy foods, overeating, exercising after meals, avoiding stressful situations and not resting/ sleeping well.

You can always protect yourself from germ infestations like the H. pylori infection by

• Washing your hands before you cook, eat and after using the bathroom while educating others around you to do the same to avoid H pylori throat symptoms.
• Avoiding water and food that may be unclean.
• Cooking your food thoroughly.
• Avoiding food served without the hands being sanitised.
• Avoiding aggravating the symptoms by quitting smoking, stress management and diet improvements.

To prevent H pylori throat symptoms like vomiting and nausea:

• Eat smaller distributed meals throughout the day and eat slowly with food at room temperature.
• Avoid drinking liquids/ water between meals, spicy and hard to digest foods.
• Resting awhile after eating with an elevated head position.
  The doctor may give you an antiemetic to reduce nausea and vomiting and help with emptying bowels.

Get help immediately from Midas Hospitals if you have these H. pylori symptoms.
Bleeding ulcers may show up in kids and adults as

• Black, dark red or bloody stools
• Fainting and dizziness
• Breathing problems
• Pale skin tone
• Severe stomach pain
• No urination for 4 to 6 hours.

Seek emergency assistance if you vomit blood (Hematemesis) where vomit contains

• Coffee grounds texture content
• Dark blood
• Fresh blood

Note: Nausea and vomiting, especially among young kids and infants, cause dehydration and tiredness. Midas Hospitals advises a doctor consultation right away.

Remember:
If you suspect you have H. pylori-induced stomach problems and any/all of the symptoms above, call or fix an appointment with Midas Hospitals. Evaluation of the H. pylori infection is a professional job. Self-diagnosis and self-medication are to be strictly avoided in H. pylori.