Symptoms of Helicobacter pylori

Symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative rod bacterium that can colonize the stomach and has a destructive effect on various cells in the gastric mucosa. Because Helicobacter pylori actively attacks the gastric mucosa, on the one hand the protective factor, the gastric mucus, is reduced. The cells of the stomach become inflamed and, as a result, more stomach acid is formed.

This stomach acid, its more acidic PH value Although it is suitable for digestion, it has an attacking effect on the gastric mucosa. As 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 gastric mucosa) can be, for example, uncharacteristic epigastric pain, but also a feeling of fullness after meals and belching with so-called heartburn. This heartburn comes from belching, which causes stomach acid to enter the esophagus, leaving it with a burning and irritating feeling. The main increase in the risk of heartburn is that there is more stomach acid than normal in the stomach.

Likewise can in the course of the disease Flatulence, diarrhea or in general more irregular bowel movements occur. This is due to the fact that the digestive system has shifted the balance between protective factors Mucous membrane and the increased and aggressive stomach acid no longer functions properly.

Due to the fact that the digestion no longer functions completely intact, the body can also take in nutrients and thus energy absence. There is also an ongoing one Stressfulness through the disease. The result is that the body is weakened and persistent fatigue and weakness can also occur.

The overproduction of stomach acid can on the one hand result in heartburn. This can happen on the one hand through active belching, but also through passive rising of stomach acid, for example at night during sleep. The stomach acid irritates the esophagus on the one hand, but it can also be for you unpleasant bad breath be the cause. This bad breath cannot be combated well with normal dental hygiene, since the cause is much deeper.

Runs a gastritis chronic, as is the case with Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis, it can also lead to a so-called Ulcer formation come. 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 comes from the destructive effect of the Helicobacter pylori germ and that produced by this germ Enzymes.
The increased concentration of Stomach acid especially on the mucous membrane of the intestine, which has a completely different and much less acidic pH value, attacking and destroying the mucous membrane in the long term. For a duodenal ulcer, one Ulcer of the duodenum, Helicobacter pylori is detected in 99% of the patients, and 75% of the patients have an ulcer of the stomach (Ulcus ventriculi). Thus, Helicobacter pylori are considered to be one of the main causes of gastroduodenal ulcers. Ulcers can make themselves felt as pain that occurs on an empty stomach (more likely to be located in the stomach) or after meals (more likely to be located in the intestine), depending on the location.
Similarly, an ulcer makes gastritis symptoms similar to Bloating or nausea and Vomit. Symptoms of this kind can arise because parts of the intestine or the narrow transition between the stomach and intestines (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 symptom-free for a long time and are more likely to be a result of a gastroscopy.

Such ulcers are also considered to be triggering or supporting factors for more malignant tumors such as a Cancer of the stomach.

Another symptom that can occur with Helicobacter pylori induced gastritis is Joint pain. These may occur because Helicobacter pylori bacteria can be washed out to other parts of the body via the blood.

Summary

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the cause of chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis). This can be explained by the mucosal damaging effect of an enzyme called urease that it produces.

The symptoms of this disease are similar to those of classic gastric mucosal inflammation. Patients complain of stomach pain or pressure that is particularly localized in the left upper abdomen. This is often accompanied by other complaints such as heartburn, diarrhea, gas and nausea with or without vomiting. Some also develop a loss of appetite, which over time can ultimately lead to malnutrition. However, it should be noted that the Helicobacter pylori infestation does not directly mean that symptoms must also arise. It is assumed that around half of the world's population is infected with the bacterium, in Germany it is around 35%. Most of these colonies are completely asymptomatic, so that most of them do not even know that they are infected.

In addition to the acute symptoms that can be associated with a Helicobacter pylori infection, it is above all the possible complications that make this bacterium so dangerous. If the stomach is infected with Helicobacter pylori, there is an increased risk of developing gastric and duodenal ulcers. These ulcers cause more pain than inflammation on their own, and there is a risk of them bleeding (blood can be found in stools or vomit) or rupture (the stomach wall ruptures, causing free air to build up in the abdomen, which is life-threatening) Peritonitis).

In addition, 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 in whom an infestation was determined by chance, in order to be able to avoid possible late effects.