According to the Mayo Clinic, most ulcers are caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori, as it is more commonly known, is also the cause of stomach inflammation or gastritis. H. pylori is common in developing countries and as many as half of the world's population have the bacteria in the stomach. Risk factors include increasing age, low income, lower educational levels, and living in crowded, unsanitary conditions. Most patients with H. pylori have no symptoms and are not aware of the infection. Some, however, experience pain and other symptoms when they develop gastriti, ulcers, stomach cancer or other complications.
Acute Infection Symptoms
The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that acute infection is probably caused by eating or drinking substances containing the H. pylori bacteria. Some patients may experience no symptoms. Those who have symptoms may suffer from upper abdominal burning, bloating, swelling of the abdomen, burping, nausea, gas, and bad breath.
Ulcer Symptoms
When H. pylori infection causes an ulcer, the patient will experience abdominal pain, according to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The pain is generally a dull, gnawing ache that comes and goes over several days or weeks. The pain usually occurs when the stomach is empty, usually two to three hours after the person eats or in the middle of the night, and is relieved by eating or taking antacids. People with ulcers cause by H. pylori may also experience weight loss, decreased appetite, bloating, burping, nausea or vomiting.
Gastritis Symptoms
The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that 90 percent of patients with gastritis caused by H. pylori have no symptoms. According to the National Institutes of Health, those who experience symptoms may have upper abdominal pain that worsens after they eat. Dark stools, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting may also occur.
Gastric Cancer Symptoms
Patients over the age of 45 are at risk for H. pylori complications such as gastric cancer. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, patients experiencing loss of more than 10 percent of body weight, anemia, jaundice, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, trouble swallowing, loss of appetite or abdominal mass should be tested for gastric cancer or other complications.
Emergency Symptoms
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe or persistent abdominal pain; difficulty swallowing; bloody or black tarry stools; bloody or black vomit; or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. One or more of these symptoms may be caused by a bleeding or perforated ulcer.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Helicobacter Pylori
- Mayo Clinic: H. Pylori Infection
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Management of Helicobacter Pylori Infection
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: H Pylori and Peptic Ulcer Disease
- National Institutes of Health: Gastritis - Chronic
