No disease or any other infection affects the stomach more when it comes to H. pylori. You may already know about H. pylori if you have experienced it in the past. But if you didn’t, then you can just imagine the discomfort that it causes.
Well, H. pylori is a bacteria but they are very harmful, unlike many others. They affect the functions of the stomach and cause troubles for the overall digestive process in the body. Diagnosing these bacteria can also be a little bit tricky.
A gastroenterologist may recommend H. pylori test through the stool or blood. The H. pylori test through the stool is more expensive than the other one. However, finding the right lab for you by clicking top lab tests in Pakistan can help you to do this test easily.
There is also a difference between the H. pylori test through the stool and the H. pylori test through the blood. The H. pylori stool test measures whether these bacteria are affecting the body or not. While the H. pylori test through blood measures whether the body has antibodies against H. pylori bacteria or not.
After getting this test done, a gastroenterologist starts the process of treatment. The treatment process for H. pylori can vary from one to two weeks. The concerning fact is that this infection is becoming more common among people.
These bacteria also cause ulcers. People with ulcers usually don’t know the reason behind this problem and get treatment for ulcers. But treating ulcers without taking care of bacteria is not an effective option. Because these bacteria affect the lining of the stomach and destroy the protective layer.
Causes of H. Pylori Infection
As mentioned above, H. pylori are becoming more common among people of every age. Healthcare specialists believe that the exact reason for the prevalence of these bacteria is unknown. Medical researchers should conduct more studies about this prevalence in the near future and then we would be able to know what is causing H. pylori infection.
In this regard, a common belief is that H. pylori bacteria can easily pass on from one person to another. When a healthy person touches the saliva of someone who is already experiencing this infection, the chances are high that the healthy person will catch these bacteria.
In addition to coming in contact with the saliva, there is also a possibility that these bacteria will affect you if you come in contact with someone’s vomit or stool. However, many people also catch these bacteria because they eat unclean and unhealthy foods.
A patient with H. pylori symptoms was eating foods from different hotels and other things that were available on the sides of the roads. He later on caught this disease and explained to the doctor how he caught this infection.
The doctor instantly told him the reason behind the infection is his habit of eating foods from different hotels. As no one knows what type of material these hotels use to cook. Additionally, unhealthy cooking is not only causing H. pylori but contaminated water is also increasing its risks.
Symptoms of H. Pylori
The symptoms of H. pylori infection are not the same in every patient. But one thing is common that occurs in every patient with this infection. This thing is because these bacteria damage the protective lining of the stomach.
When these bacteria cause damage to the lining, it increases and opens doors for other diseases such as a peptic ulcer. In addition, many people with H. pylori infection don’t develop any symptoms, unless they experience some severe health troubles.
For instance, H. pylori cause weight loss in many patients. And patients don’t know that they are losing weight because of this infection. As there is no diagnosis of H. pylori in them. I also lose 5 kg weight some months.
The reason for this reduction in weight was not known at that time to me. When I discussed this problem with my gastroenterologist, he recommended me to get H. pylori (the stool) done because there is a danger that H. pylori are affecting my body.
Risk Factors for H. Pylori
According to some general physicians, children are more prone to helicobacter pylori instead of others. Children are not cautious about their eating and drinking habits; therefore, they can easily catch H. pylori bacteria from uncleaned foods and drinks.
In addition to this problem, children also don’t follow proper hygiene which is an essential thing to reduce the risks of this infection.
The environment in which individuals live can also make them more prone to H. pylori infection and some other living conditions can also increase the danger. Additionally, living in developing countries and limited access to clean water are also among the risk factors for H. pylori.
