Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Meltem Ergün drew attention to the ways of transmission of this bacterium, which paves the way for diseases such as gastritis, ulcer, and stomach cancer.

Helicobacter pylori is an infectious bacterium that lives and multiplies in the stomach acid environment. It can lead to gastritis in the stomach (inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach), ulceration (wound in the inner lining of the stomach); rarely, it can lead to stomach cancer and stomach lymphoma. Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Meltem Ergün explained what to know about this insidious bacterium as follows…

Symptoms of Stomach Microbe

Symptoms of HP are heartburn, burning, gas, and bloating in the stomach. It can trigger reflux attacks. Thus, allergic asthma-like symptoms can cause hoarseness and sound forking. Another finding that causes the most complaints in society is bad breath.

Who Has Stomach Microbes?

About half of the world's population has been exposed to this bacterium, with a higher rate in developing countries. It is thought to be present in 70-80 percent of our society. Although it is such a common infection, not everyone develops symptoms of the disease. Some types of bacteria are known to have more disease-causing potential. Human factors are more sensitive stomach structure, longer exposure to microbes, accompanying smoking, presence of alcohol, and stress. In the presence of these accompanying factors, stomach complaints become evident.

Stomach microbes can also cause different diseases

Helicobacter pylori can cause gastritis, ulcers, and rarely stomach cancer in the stomach. This microbe has been classified as a primary carcinogen by the World Health Organization. Recently, it has been determined that this bacterium plays a role in some diseases other than the stomach (anemia of unknown cause, some hematological diseases such as ITP, and allergic conditions).

Pay attention to the alarm signs of the gastrointestinal tract!

• Infantile stomach complaints over 45 years of age, indigestion
• Unknown cause, involuntary weight loss,
• Anemia in postmenopausal women and men of all ages,
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Hepatitis,
• Bleeding in the mouth or anus,
• History of stomach cancer in the family.
• Recurrent obstinate vomiting.
• In these cases, it is recommended to evaluate the patients primarily with upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy and to investigate this microorganism with biopsies to be taken from the stomach.

How to Protect Your Stomach from Microbes?

This infection is more common in people who do not pay attention to hygienic measures. It is transmitted from mouth to mouth by the contact of hands that are not washed well after the toilet with food, the use of common goods (such as toothbrushes, towels, forks, spoons, and glasses), and unclean drinking water. It is more common among people living in the same house, especially between spouses. After taking the bacterium, it takes months or years for symptoms to appear in some patients. In some patients, there may be carriage before the symptoms of the disease appear.

Stomach Microbe Diagnosis and Treatment Methods

There are different methods for diagnosis. The gold standard is to perform an endoscopy and to evaluate the sample taken from the stomach with a microscope and detect the bacteria. The second method is the urea breath test, and the third method is the detection of the bacterial antigen in the stool. Combined antibiotics and stomach medications are used in the treatment.

Press Coverage: sozcu