Crush H. pylori disease: Know the Signs, Get Treated

Helicobacter pylori Infections—Overview

Gastritis, peptic ulcers, and stomach cancer can result from H. pylori infections, a frequent stomach bacterial infection. While many people don't have any symptoms, those who do may have nausea, bloating, dull or burning stomachaches, and loss of appetite. Contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated food and water may spread infection. 

Transmission and causes

A spiral-shaped bacterium that thrives in the acidic environment of the stomach is Helicobacter pylori.

• Transmission: It is uncertain how H. pylori spreads, although it is thought to be transmitted through:
• Polluted food or water
• Direct contact with infectious saliva, vomit, or stool
• Unsanitary practices
• Prevalence: It affects half the world's population and is typically contracted in childhood.

Infection Aftermath

Once inside the stomach, H. pylori:

• Evades stomach acid by settling into mucus.
• It leads to the development of gastritis and has the potential to damage the stomach lining.
• It can cause stomach ulcers and, rarely, cancer.

Symptoms

While many H. pylori infections go unnoticed, inflammation or ulcers can cause symptoms like

• Symptoms may include a dull or searing abdominal discomfort, particularly when the stomach is empty.
• Bloating
• Frequent burping
• Nausea, vomiting
• Appetite loss
• Unexpected weight reduction
• Anemia

Complications

• Gastritis: Stomach inflammation.
• Peptic ulcers: Stomach or upper small intestine sores.
• Stomach cancer: Long-term infections may raise stomach cancer risk.

Cancer H pylori symptoms

H. pylori infection increases the risk of gastric cancer, especially non-cardia adenocarcinoma. While many H. pylori patients never develop cancer, persistent infection can cause precancerous stomach lining alterations.

These symptoms may indicate stomach cancer progression in H. pylori patients:

• Potential H. pylori-Associated Stomach Cancer Symptoms
• Chronic upper abdominal pain
• Unexpected weight reduction
• Appetite loss
• Early satiety after small meals
• Bloody vomiting or nausea
• Stools black or tarry (gastrointestinal hemorrhage)
• Anemia-related fatigue
• Treatment-resistant bloating or indigestion

These symptoms can mimic benign illnesses like ulcers or gastritis; therefore, persistent or increasing signs should be evaluated.

H pylori treatment

Treatments for H. pylori infections include acid-suppressants and antibiotics. Here's an organized overview based on the latest ACG guidelines:

Standard Treatments

1. Bismuth Quadruple Therapy (Preferred when antibiotic resistance unknown)

• Medications:
• Bismuth subsalicylate
• Metronidazole
• PPIs such as omeprazole or lansoprazole may be used with tetracycline.
• Duration: 14 days

2. Concomitant Therapy Medications: 

• Clarithromycin Amoxicillin Metronidazole/tinidazole PPI
• 10–14 days

3. Treatment with Levofloxacin If initial therapy fails or resistance is recognized, use

• Medications:
• Levofloxacin, Amoxicillin, PPI ± Bismuth or other adjuncts
• 10–14 days

Cure Test

• It is recommended to stop treatment 4 weeks post-treatment.
• The urea breath test or fecal antigen test should be used, but not serology.
• Important: Stop PPIs 2 weeks before testing to avoid false negatives.

Important Considerations

• Avoid reusing antibiotics if initial treatment fails.
• Clarithromycin and levofloxacin resistance is growing.
• Newer regimens may use potassium-competitive acid blockers like vonoprazan.

How to remove stomach H pylori

The best way to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) from the stomach is using antibiotics and acid suppressants. A structured guide:

First-Line Medicine

• Gold standard: triple or quadruple therapy
• Antibiotics: Clarithromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, and tetracycline are usually two types.
• Proton-pump inhibitor: It lowers stomach acid to assist antibiotics in working.
• Optional bismuth compound: Improves bacterial elimination
• The duration of treatment is approximately 10–14 days. Follow-up: A “test of cure” (urea breath or stool antigen) is done 4 weeks after treatment.

Also, read https://matsusurgical.com/h-pylori-bacteria/.

Supplementary Natural Remedies

These may reduce bacterial load or relieve symptoms but do not cure H. pylori:

• Probiotics (Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces boulardii): May minimize antibiotic side effects and improve eradication.
• Aloe vera and honey: Have mild antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities
• Broccoli, garlic, and green tea: Compounds that suppress H. pylori growth

Important Notes

• Natural therapies cannot replace antibiotics.
• Avoid NSAIDs and smoking, which harm stomach lining.
• Eradication and ulcers or stomach cancer prevention require retesting.

Hpl test

Diagnose and treat

• Diagnosis: H. pylori can be detected by breath, feces, blood, or upper endoscopy with a biopsy.
• Antibiotics and stomach acid-lowering drugs are given for 14 days to treat the infection.
• H. pylori testing is necessary to diagnose gastritis, peptic ulcers, and cancer risk. An organized summary of the main diagnostic options

H. pylori Test Types

• Urea Breath Test The patient consumes a urea solution; H. pylori breaks it down, generating gas. Highly accurate, non-invasive For accuracy, avoid PPIs 2 weeks prior.
• H. pylori proteins are found in feces by the stool antigen test. Non-invasive, good for first and follow-up The stool antigen test may exhibit inaccuracies when applied to acid blockers.
• The blood test detects antibodies to H. pylori. Simple, readily available Can't tell past from current infection
• Endoscopic biopsy Direct tissue sampling and viewing Useful for ulcers or cancer concerns Costly, invasive, sedative

Best Practices

• Initial diagnosis and eradication are best with urea breath or stool antigen tests.
• To prevent false negative results, stay away from PPIs, antibiotics, and bismuth for two weeks prior to testing.
• Complex cases or cancer suspicions require endoscopy.

Curable H. pylori?

H. pylori is usually curable with therapy. A clear breakdown:

• Combination treatment: Two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to fight bacteria and heal.
• The healing process takes approximately 10–14 days.
• Success rate: 80–90% with first-line treatment, higher with personalized regimens.

What if it failed?

• Retesting: A urea breath or stool antigen test is done 4 weeks following treatment as a “test of cure.”
• Second-line treatment: If the initial antibiotic fails, doctors switch antibiotics or quadruple therapy (bismuth).

Supportive Measures

• Probiotics: May minimize adverse effects and boost elimination.
• Stay away from smoking, NSAIDs, and alcohol, which can increase symptoms and slow healing.

Conclusion

• Gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer can result from H. pylori, a common stomach bacterium.
• Children are commonly exposed to it through tainted food, water, or close contact.
• Many are asymptomatic, but prolonged infection might cause major problems.
• Urea breath and stool antigen testing are non-invasive diagnostics.
• Combining antibiotics and acid suppressants works well.
• Curing is possible, but follow-up testing is needed to confirm and prevent recurrence.