H. pylori, or Helicobacter pylori, are bacteria found in the lining of the stomach that cause gastritis and more than 90 percent of ulcers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Before 1982 when this bacterium was discovered, popular belief held that spicy foods, stress, acid and lifestyle were the causes of ulcers. Now, ulcers can be treated and cured with antibiotics. H. pylori infection alone may not cause any symptoms until an ulcer or other serious condition develops.
Symptoms of an Ulcer
Symptoms of an ulcer can indicate H. pylori infection. According to the
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, pain that happens when the stomach is empty can signify a stomach ulcer, also known as a peptic ulcer. A short period of pain relief can occur after eating or taking an antacid. Pain may last for minutes or hours and is intermittent for several days or weeks. The pain is usually described as burning or gnawing. MayoClinic.com reports that common symptoms can include frequent burping, bloating, loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea and vomiting.
Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
A complication of H. pylori is stomach cancer, according the American Academy of Family Physicians. Signs of stomach cancer include yellowing of the skin or eyes, loss of appetite or quickly feeling full when eating, weight loss, bloody stools and trouble swallowing. History of an ulcer and family history of stomach cancer are important risk factors. A doctor needs to be notified of these symptoms.
Emergency Symptoms
NDDIC reports that serious conditions related to stomach ulcers include perforation, or a hole, in the stomach; bleeding when the ulcer breaks through blood vessels; and obstruction, or blockage. Symptoms include sharp, severe and sudden pain; vomit that is bloody or that looks like coffee grounds; and bloody or black bowel movements. Patients experiencing any of these symptoms should seek medical treatment immediately.
References
- MayoClinic.com: H. Pylori Infection: Symptoms
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Helicobacter pylori and Peptic Ulcer Disease
- National Digestive Diseases and Information Clearinghouse: H. pylori and Peptic Ulcers: Symptoms
- American Academy Of Family Physicians: Management Of Helicobacter Pylori Infection
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