Heliobactor Pylori
...velop. It may not be H. pylori itself which causes peptic ulcer, but the inflammation of the stomach lining that results from the response to H. pylori (Helicobacter Foundation). Gastritis is the underlying condition which causes ulcers and other digestive problems, possibly including cancer of the stomach. Prior to the discovery of this bacterium, spicy foods, acid, stress, and lifestyle were considered to be the major causes of ulcers. Although there were many treatments including H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors it was not believed that there was a permanent cure. Now if a patient’s ulcer is found to be the result of H. pylori antibiotics can be prescribed to cure the patient. Although all patients with H. pylori infections have gastritis, not all patients exhibit symptoms. Symptoms The most common ulcer symptom is a persistent burning pain in the stomach. This usually occurs when the stomach is empty, between meals, and early in the morning (CDC). It can last from minutes to hours and can be relieved by eating or by taking antacids. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. If there is prolonged bleeding weakness and fatigue may occur. Methods of Diagnosis There are three ways a patient can be diagnosed with a H pylori infection. These include breath tests, blood tests, and endoscopies. There are two forms of breath tests, the Carbon 14-urea breath test and the Carbon 13-urea breath test. In the C14-urea breath test the patient must fast for approximately 6 hours prior to the test. The patient swallows a capsule or drinks water which contains one microCurie of C14-urea. The patient then provides a breath sample usually by blowing up a small balloon or blowing bubbles in a small bottle of liquid. Samples of breath are then taken between 10 and 20 minutes after the capsule is given. The test is quick and simple to perform, and much less expensive than an endoscopy. In the second breath test, the Carbon-13 Urea test, the patient fasts for approximately 6 hours prior to the test. A baseline breath sample is collected by blowing into an empty bag or tube. Then the patient eats a small, high calorie, meal and drinks a solution of Carbon-13-urea in water. Breath samples are taken at intervals, usually 20, 40 and 60 minutes later. If H.pylori is present in your stomach the C13-urea will be broken down and C13 will appear in your breath. A simple blood test can also test for a H. pylori infection. Blood tests check your blood for antibodies which would stick to H. pylori. If antibodies are present, it means the patient either has H. pylori or has had it in the recent past, no more than the past 3 years. An endoscopy is a test where a small flexible tube or endoscope is placed down the throat and into the stomach. Before an endoscopy is administered the patient must not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to the test. The patient is given a sedative drug and the throat is sprayed with an anesthetic. The tube is then placed down the throat and into the stomach. The tube or endoscope allows the doctor to examine the esophagus, the stomach and the duodenum. During the endoscopy several biopsy specimens of the stomach and duodenum are taken and examined in a laboratory. Treatment H. pylori infections can be treated with either one or two antibiotics given over the course of up to two weeks. These might include amoxicillin, tetracycline, methronidazole, or clarithromycin. In addition to antibiotics, H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors are administered to alleviate ulcer-related symptoms. They also help heal gastric mucosal inflammation, and may enhance efficiency of the antibiotics against H. pylo...