The Silent Spread of H. pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a rapidly spreading bacterium that frequently enough presents without noticeable symptoms, making it tough to detect and treat. This bacterium colonizes the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. Asta Krušnienė emphasizes the potential dangers, stating that H. pylori can alter stomach acidity, leading to gastritis and ulcers, and significantly increase the risk of various forms of stomach cancer.

Don’t Ignore the Symptoms

Asta Krušnienė highlights the global prevalence of H. pylori, noting that infections are common not only in developing countries but also throughout Europe, including Lithuania. The bacterium spreads through saliva and microscopic fecal particles, making transmission possible through sharing utensils, kissing, sneezing without covering the mouth, sharing food, or neglecting hand hygiene.

Bakterija plinta per seiles ir mikroskopines išmatų daleles, tad užsikrėsti galima dalijantis indais, stalo įrankiais, bučiuojantis, čiaudint neužsidengus, dalijantis maistu ar nesilaikant rankų higienos taisyklių.
Asta krušnienė, Camelia Pharmacy

Many individuals experiencing digestive issues such as bloating, burning sensations in the stomach, nausea, increased acidity, a feeling of fullness, belching, loss of appetite, or stomach pain often attribute these symptoms to food intolerances, poorly prepared meals, or simply a “digestive upset.”

Though, Asta Krušnienė cautions against dismissing these symptoms. She advises taking proactive steps to determine if H. pylori is the underlying cause.

Self-Testing and Professional Diagnosis

Asta Krušnienė suggests an initial step for individuals concerned about H. pylori infection: using a rapid self-test kit.While these tests do not replace laboratory tests conducted in healthcare facilities, their accuracy can reach up to 95%.She advises:

Pirmas žingsnis, kurį galime žengti kiekvienas – įsigyti greitąjį savikontrolės testą H. pylori bakterijai nustatyti. tiesa, jis neatstoja sveikatos priežiūros įstaigų laboratorijose atliekamų tyrimų, tačiau jo tikslumas gali siekti net 95 proc.
Asta Krušnienė, Camelia Pharmacy

If the self-test yields a positive result, Asta Krušnienė recommends consulting a gastroenterologist for a thorough examination and, if necessary, treatment. H. pylori infection is typically diagnosed through blood, stool, or endoscopy tests. Treatment can be challenging and lengthy, frequently involving multiple courses of antibiotics, medications to regulate stomach acidity, beneficial gut bacteria, and other preparations to alleviate symptoms. Adjustments to the treatment plan and alternative medications may be necessary.

Serious Consequences of Untreated Infection

Pharmacist Asta Krušnienė emphasizes the potential complications of tolerating infection symptoms and delaying treatment. H. pylori contributes to changes in the stomach lining,potentially leading to small wounds that can develop into painful ulcers. In some cases, these ulcers may bleed, resulting in vomiting or bowel movements with blood, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Immediate medical attention is crucial in such instances.

The bacterium can also cause gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining. Damage to the stomach lining from H.pylori leads to swelling and inflammatory processes. This condition can occur even with existing ulcers, further compromising the stomach. The most severe outcome of untreated H. pylori is the increased risk of stomach cancer.

Asta Krušnienė notes that the risk of stomach cancer is further elevated by factors such as heredity, smoking, frequent alcohol consumption, obesity, and pre-existing stomach conditions like polyps. Stomach cancer is more commonly diagnosed in individuals over 50, notably men.

Rizika dar labiau išauga jei yra ir paveldėjimo faktorius, asmuo rūko, dažnai vartoja alkoholį, yra nutukęs, turi tam tikrų skrandžio būklių, pavyzdžiui, polipų. Vėžiniai skrandžio susirgimai dažniau diagnozuojami vyresniems nei 50 metų žmonėms,ypač vyrams
Asta Krušnienė, camelia Pharmacy

Additional Support Measures

Studies indicate that triumphant treatment of H. pylori infection can reduce the risk of cancer by nearly half.According to the pharmacist,adopting a healthy lifestyle,including stress management,quitting smoking,reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption,and controlling stomach acidity,also contributes to risk reduction.

Asta Krušnienė advises paying attention to dietary choices to maintain a healthy stomach lining. She recommends avoiding carbonated drinks, limiting coffee intake, and reducing the consumption of fried and processed foods. Controlling the spiciness of meals is also important, as spicy seasonings and sauces can harm the stomach lining and cause increased acidity and pain.

Given that both H. pylori infection and its treatment with antibiotics can significantly disrupt the stomach’s microflora and digestive system function,Asta Krušnienė recommends incorporating foods rich in beneficial bacteria,such as sauerkraut,pickles,and natural yogurt,into the daily diet.

She adds that consuming beneficial bacteria, notably Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, can even accelerate recovery from H. pylori infection. When using dietary supplements containing a specified number of viable bacteria, it is critically important to ensure a daily intake of at least 4 to 5 billion colony-forming units.