Helicobacter Pylori. The bacteria that harms the stomach.

Marshall and Robin, two Australian scientifics received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1982 for one of the greatest discoveries in the history of its field: That the main cause of the majority of stomach ulcers and gastritis was a bacteria named Helicobacter Pylori.

This bacteria lodges itself in the walls of the stomach and it is found in approximately 50% of the world adult population, with up to 90% in some countries within Africa, Asia and Latin America and in between 30% and 40% in Germany, United Kingdom, USA and Canada. Low levels of this bacteria were found in countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark and it is transmitted through contaminated water, hands, saliva, etc.

The symptoms are those of stomach and duodenal ulcers presenting itself as pain in the pit of the stomach that appears two or three hours after meals, wakes you up at night and that it is appeased when food and antacids are ingested. Another important symptom is Gastric dyspepsia or a feeling of fullness after meals, heartburn or reflux, nausea, vomiting, etc. It can also present itself without symptoms and its most serious consequences can be cancer and gastric lymphoma.

The diagnostic is completed through medical tests such as: Carbon Isotope-urea breath test or UBT, a gastric endoscopy with samples taken of the stomach or duodenal ulcers, blood test, etc. But what has revolutionised its diagnosis, because of how fast and cheap it is, is the detection of the antigen of the bacteria through a faecal sample.

The treatment is via antibiotics and inhibitors of the proton bomb such as Omeprazole, Pantoprazole and lasts for approximately three weeks.

Periodic check ups will also be conducted after it is treated, until it is confirmed that the bacteria has disappeared.

The World Gastroenterology Organisation recommends that young people be tested in populations where there is a higher incidence of gastric cancer, either genetically or demographically speaking, thereby preventing its development.

The most important precautions to follow in order to prevent the spread of this bacteria are to thoroughly wash your hands with water and soap for a minimum of a minute, drink safe water or in its absence, boiled water if unsure that the water is drinkable, and thoroughly wash foods such as vegetables and fruits.

Dr. J. Hurtado Martínez
Medical Director of HealthSalus