Helicobacter pylori is a gram negative rod bacterium, which can colonize the stomach and destroys various cells in the stomach mucosa. The fact that Helicobacter pylori actively attacks the gastric mucosa reduces the protective factor, the gastric mucus. The cells of the stomach become inflamed and more gastric acid is produced.
This gastric acid, whose acidic pH value is suitable for digestion, however, attacks the mucous membrane of the stomach. Since this mucous membrane lacks the protection of a mucous layer due to the attack of the bacteria, a chronic and self-supporting inflammation occurs. Symptoms of this so-called chronic type B gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) can be, for example, uncharacteristic pain in the upper abdomen, but also a feeling of fullness after meals and belching with so-called heartburn.
This heartburn is caused by belching, whereby ascending gastric acid enters the esophagus, leaving a burning and irritating sensation in it. The risk of heartburn is mainly increased by the fact that there is more stomach acid than normal in the stomach. In the course of the disease, flatulence, diarrhoea or generally more irregular bowel movements can also occur.
This is related to the fact that the digestion no longer functions properly due to the shifted balance between protective factors of the mucous membrane and the increased and aggressive stomach acid. Because the digestion no longer functions completely intact, the body may also lack nutrients and thus energy. In addition, there is a continuous stress load caused by the disease.
The result is that the body is weakened and a persistent tiredness and weakness can occur. The overproduction of stomach acid can now on the one hand result in heartburn. This can happen on the one hand through an active belching, but also through passive rising of stomach acid, for example at night while sleeping.
The stomach acid irritates so on the one hand the esophagus, in addition, can be the cause for an unpleasant mouth smell. This bad breath cannot be combated well by normal dental hygiene, since the cause lies much deeper. If gastritis is chronic, as is the case with Helicobacter pylori induced gastritis, it can also lead to the formation of a so-called ulcer.
Ulcers are so-called ulcers, i.e. defects in the mucous membrane and can affect both the stomach and the adjacent intestine (the duodenum). The defect in the mucous membrane is caused by the destructive effect of the Helicobacter pylori germ and the enzymes produced by this germ. Likewise, the increased concentration of gastric acid has an attacking effect, especially on the mucous membrane of the intestine, which has a completely different and much less acidic pH value, and destroys the mucous membrane in the long run.
Helicobacter pylori is detected in 99% of patients with duodenal ulcers, and in 75% of patients with gastric ulcers (ulcus ventriculi). Thus, Helicobacter pylori is considered one of the main causes of gastroduodenal ulcers. Ulcers can be noticed by pain, which, depending on the localization, may occur on an empty stomach (more likely to be localized in the stomach) or after meals (more likely to be localized in the intestine).
Similarly, a gastritis ulcer causes similar symptoms to a feeling of fullness or nausea and vomiting. Such symptoms can be caused by the fact that parts of the intestine or the narrow transition between the stomach and the intestine (pylorus) can swell due to inflammation or scarring, making it difficult for stomach contents to pass through. In the same way, ulcers can also remain asymptomatic for a long time and are then more likely to be the result of a gastroscopy.
Such ulcers are also regarded as triggering or supporting factors for more malignant tumors such as cancer of the stomach. Another symptom that can occur with Helicobacter pylori induced gastritis is joint pain. This may be due to the fact that Helicobacter pylori bacteria can be washed out through the blood to other parts of the body.
The Helicobacter pylori bacterium is the cause of chronic inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). This can be explained by the mucous membrane damaging effect of an enzyme produced by it called urease. The symptoms of this disease are therefore similar to those of the classic gastritis.Patients complain of stomach pain or pressure, which is particularly localized in the left upper abdomen.
This is often accompanied by other complaints such as heartburn, diarrhea, flatulence and nausea with or without vomiting. Some also develop a loss of appetite, which, if it continues for a long time, can ultimately lead to malnutrition. However, it should be noted that an infestation with Helicobacter pylori does not directly mean that symptoms must also develop.
It is assumed that about half of the world population is infected with the bacterium, in Germany it is about 35%. Most of these colonizations occur completely asymptomatically, so that most people do not even know they are infected. Besides the acute symptoms that can accompany a Helicobacter pylori infection, it is mainly the possible complications that make this bacterium so dangerous.
Gastric infections with Helicobacter pylori are associated with an increased risk of developing stomach and duodenal ulcers. These ulcers cause more severe pain than inflammation alone, and there is a risk that they may bleed (in which case blood is sometimes found in the stool or vomit) or rupture (a breakthrough of the stomach wall occurs, causing free air to accumulate in the abdomen, which can lead to life-threatening peritonitis). Helicobacter pylori is also considered a risk factor for the development of gastric cancer or MALT lymphoma. For these reasons, it should be considered whether eradication therapy of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium is not also indicated in patients who have been diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori by chance, in order to avoid possible late effects.
