An infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the second most common infectious disease after caries. 33 million Germans and every second person over the age of 50 lives with the dangerous lodger in the stomach. Belching, bloating, pain or nausea are the indications that the stomach germ is up to mischief in the body. Gastritis, ulcers in the stomach and duodenum or even stomach cancer can be its work.
Symptoms of Helicobacter pylori
The following Helicobacter symptoms are indicative of the presence of the stomach germ:
- Pain or pressure in the upper abdomen
- Constant feeling of fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting.
- Fasting pain: the discomfort subsides briefly during or after a meal.
- Pain during the night that makes you wake up
- Anemia and black stools
If these symptoms cause problems for more than one to two weeks, a doctor should be consulted.
Causes of the stomach germ
Today, experts know that the bacterium mostly settles in the stomach in childhood and is transmitted from person to person. In our latitudes, the germ is probably passed mainly from mouth-to-mouth (oral-oral), for example, from an infected mother to her child.
The risk of an infected person infecting another in adulthood tends toward zero. This is presumably due to the fact that after a certain age, the immune system is able to stand up to the germ.
In developing countries with low hygienic standards, the bacterium is probably also transmitted via the stool (fecal-oral).
The risk of becoming infected with Helicobacter pylori can be reduced with appropriate hygiene measures. For example, studies have shown that “indoor toilets” with sinks for washing hands afterwards can significantly reduce the rate of infection.
Gastritis as a result of Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori initially behaves inconspicuously for years without the affected person noticing anything. But at some point, it draws attention to itself. With its threadlike flagella, it is extremely mobile and spreads throughout the stomach lining. It hides in the mucus layer of the stomach wall and attaches itself to epithelial cells there.
In the long run, the cells of the gastric mucosa react irritably and become inflamed; gastritis, which sometimes festers in the stomach without causing any symptoms, is the result.
But often what has been brewing in secret for a long time comes to light. As a result, the stomach rebels with pain, bloating and nausea.
From germ to cancer
Gastritis, in turn, can often pave the way for a host of other diseases, especially when factors such as genetic predisposition, smoking or certain medications are added.
About 95 percent of all duodenal ulcers and 70 to 80 percent of all gastric ulcers are the work of H. pylori. It is also strongly suspected of promoting or even triggering malignant diseases such as stomach cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has therefore classified the germ as carcinogenic.
Nevertheless, there are patients who do not suffer any symptoms despite their fellow inhabitant in the stomach and only find out about it when the gastrointestinal tract is examined for other reasons. And not everyone infected with Helicobacter pylori suffers an ulcer. However, the risk for such an ulcer is significantly increased with Helicobacter pylori infection.
