Your test shows the presence of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori), a kind of bacterium that lives in the lining of the stomach. Many people have H. pylori in their stomachs and do not develop problems. But sometimes H. pylori causes an upset stomach or a sore (ulcer) in the stomach lining. Most stomach ulcers are caused by H. pylori. Symptoms of an ulcer include gnawing or burning pain in the belly that can last minutes or hours. Eating food or taking antacids helps relieve the pain, but the symptoms may come back after a while. Antibiotic medicine can cure an H. pylori infection.
Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that is a major cause of stomach (gastric) and upper small intestine (duodenal) ulcers. Infection with H. pylori may also increase the risk of stomach cancer.
H. pylori bacteria can cause ulcers by growing in the lining of the stomach, producing inflammation and causing the stomach and intestinal lining to be more easily damaged by stomach acid. But most people infected with H. pylori do not develop ulcers.
H. pylori bacteria can be eliminated by taking certain antibiotics that are specifically directed at this bacteria.
Helicobacter pylori can cause ulcers by growing in the lining of the stomach. These bacteria produce inflammation and cause the stomach and the lining of the intestines to be more easily damaged by stomach acid. But most people infected with H. pylori don't get ulcers.
Another factor—one that can't always be identified—may be needed to cause an ulcer to form. These things may include:
Most people don't have any symptoms. But sometimes an H. pylori infection causes an upset stomach or a stomach sore (ulcer). Symptoms of an ulcer include gnawing or burning pain in the belly that can last for hours. Taking antacids or eating helps relieve the pain, but the symptoms may come back.
You can get rid of Helicobacter pylori bacteria by taking certain antibiotics that are specifically directed at this bacteria.
People who had a peptic ulcer and are infected with H. pylori need treatment to cure the infection. This will lower their risk of getting another peptic ulcer. Treatment with a combination of medicines works very well to cure an H. pylori infection. Sometimes H. pylori bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics. This can keep the medicine from killing the bacteria.
Some people who take medicine to treat the H. pylori infection may need a follow-up test to make sure that the infection is cured.
Gastritis is inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining. It can be caused by some medicines (such as aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines), overuse of alcohol, stomach acid, or bacterial infection.
An infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can cause gastritis. H. pylori is also the bacteria that causes ulcers.
One way to test for H. pylori is to take a tissue sample from the stomach. The doctor uses a thin, flexible, lighted viewing instrument (endoscope) to look down your throat and into your stomach. Looking through the endoscope, your doctor may also see irritation or inflammation in the lining of your stomach. This irritation is gastritis. And a tissue sample will tell the doctor if the cause is H. pylori.
Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that is a major cause of stomach (gastric) and upper small intestine (duodenal) ulcers. Infection with H. pylori may also increase the risk of stomach cancer.
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