What Is Helicobacter Pylori?

Helicobacter Pylori, Stomach Ulcers And Stomach Cancer

Helicobacter pylori, which is often simply called H. pylori, is a spiral-shaped bacterium believed to be closely connected to a pair of serious stomach disorders: peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. 

Helicobacter pylori is capable of growing in the human stomach despite highly acidic conditions that make it impossible for other types of germs to survive. Helicobacter pylori bacteria secrete an enzyme called urease, which converts urea to ammonia. Ammonia reduces the potency of stomach acid, which allows Helicobacter pylori to grow.

Research has shown that Helicobacter pylori can weaken the protective coating of the stomach. When this occurs, digestive juices are more likely to irritate the stomach lining, resulting in a stomach ulcer. In serious cases, stomach acid may erode the lining all the way through and cause a perforation, or a "hole" in the stomach.

It's long been known that Helicobacter pylori was a factor in stomach cancer. The World Health Organization has classified it as a group I carcinogen for stomach cancer.

Helicobacter pylori exists in the stomach of millions of people worldwide, but not everyone who has an H. pylori infection develops stomach cancer or a stomach ulcer. Lifestyle factors, like unhealthy diets and smoking, appear to increase your chance of getting stomach cancer from H. pylori.

If you eat a lot of salty foods, you are more likely to develop stomach cancer. Recent research also suggests that eating a lot of preserved meats like bacon and sausage contribute to a higher risk of stomach cancer.

Smokers who have a Helicobacter pylori infection appear to get stomach cancer 17 times as often as non-smokers without HP infection.

Incidence of stomach cancer due to H. pylori varies around the world, probably because of cultural differences in diet.

Treating Helicobacter Pylori Infections

Currently, doctors treat Helicobacter pylori infections with a combination of drugs. Using more than one medication helps prevent the bacteria from developing an immunity to any specific antibiotic.

Generally, you have to take the antibiotic for at least two weeks.

There are also certain types of medications that reduce stomach acid, which increases the effectiveness of antibiotics. Examples include:

• Proton pump inhibitors, which suppress acids by disabling the ability of the cells to produce acid. Omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex) and esomeprazole (Nexium) all fit into this category.
• Histamine blockers, which reduce the amount of acid released into your digestive tract. Examples include ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet) and nizatidine (Axid).

To learn more about the symptoms of a Helicobacter pylori infection, click on H. pylori symptoms.