Accurate Diagnosis and Complex Treatment: How Do We Combat Stomach Bacteria?

SadaNews - Imagine that inside your stomach exists a hidden world that you cannot see, inhabited by tiny organisms that may affect your health without you realizing it. This organ, which we think is fortified by its strong acid, is not completely isolated; it may actually be home to organisms capable of adapting and surviving.

Among these organisms, a unique bacterium stands out, having managed to challenge the harsh environment of the stomach and plays an important role in many gastrointestinal disorders.

The stomach bacterium is not just a transient microbe, but a hidden message calling us to listen more closely to a body that never stops speaking. When we understand the body, we elevate our health and our lives.

While the Helicobacter pylori bacterium may seem small, it reveals that even the slightest imbalance can disrupt a remarkable balance crafted with precision. We do not overcome it with treatment alone; we triumph when we understand, listen, and live with awareness.

The Helicobacter Pylori Bacterium

For a long time, doctors believed that the stomach, with its strong acids, was an unsuitable environment for bacterial life. However, in 1982, Australian doctors Barry Marshall and Robin Warren managed to discover and isolate a type of bacterium living in the stomach lining, which led to a radical transformation in understanding its diseases.

This bacterium is known as Helicobacter pylori, a microscopic organism not visible to the naked eye, stealthily living inside the body and taking advantage of any imbalance in the internal environment. When natural protective mechanisms weaken, this bacterium finds an opportunity to settle and reproduce.

Its spiral shape helps it penetrate the mucus layer that protects the stomach wall, granting it a high ability to survive in a highly acidic environment.

Global medical estimates, including data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, suggest that about 50% of the world's population may be infected with this bacterium, with varying prevalence rates depending on geographic location and health and environmental conditions.

The Stomach Under the Microscope

If the stomach can digest meat, why doesn't it digest itself?

This question has puzzled many until recent research revealed an astounding protection system:

A protective mucus layer covers the stomach wall with a thick layer of alkaline mucus that protects the tissue from erosion.

Cells renew at an astonishing rate.

A precise control system regulates acid secretion.

A blood network nourishes and protects.

Clinical Signs and Symptoms

Most infected individuals feel nothing; the bacterium is often silent. However, when symptoms appear, they vary between:

Pain or burning sensation in the stomach, especially after eating or at night.

Bloating and frequent gas.

Nausea and occasional vomiting.

Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.

Blood in vomit or stool in advanced cases.

Biological Tests and Diagnosis

Diagnosing Helicobacter pylori relies on a set of precise tools:

Breath tests (Urea Breath Test)

Blood tests: to detect antibodies, but they may not distinguish between current and past infections.

Stool tests: to detect bacterial antigens.

Endoscopy with biopsy.

Each test has specific accuracy, and doctors often use more than one method to ensure correct diagnosis.

Helicobacter Pylori and Nutrition

Nutrition plays a dual role: it can either alleviate symptoms or exacerbate them.

Beneficial foods: fresh vegetables, especially cruciferous ones like broccoli, antioxidant-rich fruits, and fibers that help soothe the stomach.

Harmful foods: salty and processed foods, excess fats, sugars, and smoked meats that increase inflammation and accelerate stomach irritation.

Eating habits: consuming small, regular meals.

Overeating and the Hidden Guest

Recent studies have shown that overeating disrupts the gastric environment and weakens the protective mucus barrier, paving the way for gastritis and increasing susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infection.

Treatment

Can the infection be cured? Yes, and treatment depends on:

Several antibiotics.

A medication that reduces stomach acidity called a proton pump inhibitor.

Treatment typically lasts 10 to 14 days, and this treatment leads to the eradication of the bacteria in 80 to 90% of cases.

However, in 10 to 20% of cases, treatment may fail due to bacterial resistance to antibiotics or non-compliance with treatment.

In such cases, the doctor suggests a new treatment with different antibiotics.

What are the benefits of eradicating the bacteria?

Disappearance of gastritis.

Improved digestive symptoms.

Prevention of stomach ulcers or their recurrence.

Anemia: when anemia becomes a mystery, the doctor starts thinking about a hidden guest disrupting iron and vitamin B12 absorption.

Reducing the risk of stomach cancer among those infected with the bacteria: about 1% may develop stomach cancer.

Are there contraindications to treatment?

Pregnancy.

Breastfeeding.

In these cases, treatment can be postponed as it is not an urgent condition.

What are the side effects of treatment?

Treatment may cause some symptoms such as:

Nausea.

Diarrhea.

Vomiting.

Loss of appetite.

Change in taste (especially a metallic taste).

Difficulty digesting.

Headaches and dizziness.

These symptoms can be bothersome; therefore, it is preferable to start treatment during a time that allows for its completion.

Test to Ensure Treatment Success

Given the possibility of treatment failure in 10 to 20% of cases, a test should be conducted after treatment to ensure the eradication of the bacteria.

The best test is a breath test, which must be performed on an empty stomach for 12 hours, with acid-reducing medications discontinued for two weeks prior to the test and for at least four weeks after completing antibiotic treatment.

In case of treatment failure, a new treatment will be prescribed, followed by retesting after a month.

Is there a non-antibiotic treatment?

These bacteria cannot be eradicated except with antibiotics, and they must be taken according to a strict regimen. If the patient does not adhere to the treatment, the bacteria may not be completely eradicated and may become resistant to antibiotics, necessitating a different antibiotic treatment.

Can infection recur after treatment?

If it is confirmed that the infection has cleared (through testing after stopping acid-reducing medications and antibiotics), the return of the bacterium is possible but not common, often associated with environmental factors or infection from close contacts.

Can the infection be treated by changing the diet?

The bacteria cannot be eradicated solely by changing the diet.

However, modifying the diet may help reduce stomach irritation and alleviate symptoms.

Can I transmit the infection to others?

The infection can spread from person to person through saliva, contaminated food and water with the infected person's feces, or sharing utensils. Although it is not as contagious as influenza and often requires direct contact or insufficient hygiene conditions, it is medically established as a disease that spreads between individuals.

Therefore, prevention through handwashing and avoiding sharing personal utensils is essential to limit its spread.

Source: Al Jazeera