The stomach germ called 'Helicobacter pylori' is one of the bacteria found in a person's body. In case of advanced gastric microbe, it can cause the existing ulcer to turn into cancer. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment of stomach microbe is important.
This germ, also called 'Helicobacter pylori', can live in the stomach of most people without harming them. According to a study, the rate of people living in Turkey who carry the germ reaches up to 90 percent in some places. In developed countries, this level is around 50%.
What Causes Stomach Microbe?
The exact cause of stomach germs is not known. We can list the transmission routes of the stomach germ as follows;
- It can be transmitted from person to person through saliva.
- It can pass through vomit.
- It can spread through feces.
- It can also be transmitted by direct contact.
Helicobacter pylori can also spread through food or water. It causes differences in the stomach and intestines. The bacteria can infect protective structures in the stomach. This causes the release of certain enzymes, toxins and immunity. These factors directly or indirectly damage the cells of the stomach and intestines. This damage causes some diseases.
These are gastrointestinal diseases such as indigestion, ulcers or reflux. Many people with chronic H. pylori infection do not show any specific symptoms. Some people, however, may have many serious problems. Ulcers can cause many symptoms or no symptoms at all.
What are the symptoms of stomach germs?
Stomach microbe negatively affects a person's life. This bacteria causes the person's eating habits to change. It also prepares the ground for the formation of some stomach diseases. When symptoms related to stomach germs occur, the following situations may occur;
- Abdominal pain
- More pain in the abdomen when your stomach is empty
- Nausea
- Food aversion
- Frequent belching
- Feeling of bloating
- Involuntary weight loss
Stomach Microbe Treatment
Diagnosis of this infection is usually based on the complaints of the affected person and tests that indicate H. pylori infection. The presence of a stomach germ infection can be detected by testing for Helicobacter pylori antigen in the stool or by urea-breath testing. In addition, there are safer methods for detecting gastroenteritis. One of these methods is to take a tissue sample from the stomach and perform a rapid urease test. Histologic examination and microbial culture tests can also be performed.
Helicobacter pylori infection generally does not require treatment unless it causes ulcers or gastritis. Antibiotics are used in this treatment process. Because H. pylori is a bacterium and has a structure sensitive to antibiotics. However, this bacterium should not develop resistance to the antibiotic to be applied. Therefore, many drugs should be used together in the treatment.
After these drugs have been used for a certain period of time, a repeat urea or stool test can be performed to determine whether the infection has ended, and then the infection may still be present. This can lead to a recurrence of the peptic ulcer and re-treatment may be necessary. The course of drug treatment is either triple or quadruple. In triple treatment, the course of treatment is between 7-14 days.