Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that, upon entering the body, infects the stomach and the small intestine. It causes tissue damage that may eventually lead to peptic ulcers and sores in the stomach or upper digestive tract. Most people with H. pylori infections never show any signs, which is unclear why. It is a contagious disease, but experts don’t know exactly how the transmission happens. So let’s learn about its symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of H. pylori infection are related to peptic ulcers or gastritis. The most common ones include the following:

• Ache or pain in the abdomen due to stomach and intestinal lining inflammation
• Bloating
• Feeling full after consuming a small quantity of food
• Lack of appetite
• Frequent belching
• Dark-colored stool
• Low blood counts
• Fatigue resulting from bleeding ulcers
• Pale skin

Chronic gastritis, which is less frequent, can result in abnormal changes in the stomach membrane. This increases the risk of developing gastric cancer later.

Transmission
The bacteria, Helicobacter pylori that causes H. pylori infection can spread from person to person, but the exact transmission mechanism is unknown.

• According to research, consuming tainted food or drink can result in bacterial infection.
• Coming in contact with an infected individual’s saliva, vomit, or feces can cause H. pylori infection.

Risk factors
Childhood living situations have been linked to an increased risk of H. pylori infection. Children living in the following conditions are more exposed to Helicobacter pylori from contaminated sources.

• Being surrounded by people – Your chance of contracting H. pylori infection can rise if you live in a large household.
• Living without a constant source of clean water – Reliable access to pure water helps lower the danger of contracting infection from contaminated water.
• Living next to an infected person – If you reside with someone with an H. pylori infection, your chances of getting it are higher.

Diagnosis
One or more of the following procedures may be prescribed by your doctor if they believe the H. pylori bacteria may be the source of your stomach ulcer:

Breath test
It is also known as the urea breath test. It is used to detect an active H. pylori infection and the effectiveness of the treatment. This examination involves exhaling into a balloon-like bag before and after ingesting a solution. It calculates how much carbon dioxide is present in the container after each test session. A greater level of the gas in the bag after consuming the chemical substance indicates the presence of H. pylori.

Stool test
A stool test searches for signs of H. pylori in a feces sample.

Upper endoscopy
The stomach is accessed through the pharynx with a flexible tube. To check for H. pylori, a small tissue sample from the stomach lining or intestine is removed.

Treatment options
People with active duodenal ulcers, active gastric ulcers, or a history of peptic ulcer should receive treatment if they have an H. pylori infection. Successful therapy can destroy the bacterial population, stop recurrent inflammations and lower the risk of complications like bleeding. Patients who are undergoing treatment for a prolonged period for arthritis or other medical conditions should be tested for H. pylori. If the result turns out to be positive, the person should receive medical care to get rid of the infection.
Therapies to promote gut healing may also be part of your treatment, such as:

• Triple therapy, which combines three different treatment options, has historically been the preferred method. It contains a proton pump inhibitor that blocks acid.
• Proton pump blockers (PPIs)- These chemical substances prevent the stomach from producing acid.
• H-2 histamine antagonists – These inhibit a chemical called histamine, which causes the creation of acid. H-2 blockers are recommended only in cases where PPIs become ineffective.
• Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, or other similar probiotic strains may be used in foods or supplements to treat H. pylori infection. The “good bacteria” work in several ways to make the GI tract and stomach less welcoming to H. pylori. According to some studies, probiotics may increase the effectiveness of conventional triple or quadruple therapy.

A specialized treatment plan is the most effective way to deal with the infection. This should be decided based on a person’s previous use of prescriptions, any allergies, and immune system resistance. However, when you strictly adhere to your unique treatment regimen as directed by the physician, the likelihood of recovery is the highest. Also, it is imperative to follow healthy practices at home, such as washing hands after using the bathroom and before preparing and eating food. Though spicy food and stress don’t cause infections, they can keep them from recovering and may instead aggravate your pain.