H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori)

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What is H. pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is the bacterium that is thought to cause the majority of all peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are stomach and duodenal ulcers.
 
In the U.S. over 20 percent of the population under the age of 40 and over 50 percent of the population above the age of 60 are infected with these bacteria. However, that does not necessarily mean that the infected person will also develop a peptic ulcer. Whether an infected person develops an ulcer will depend on certain characteristics of the person, the type of h. pylori and other factors that still need to be discovered. It may be genetically predetermined.

Statistically 20 million Americans develop at least one stomach ulcer during their lifetime. Researchers are now even trying to find a connection between h. pylori and stomach cancer.

How do the bacteria spread?

Most likely the bacteria are accumulated over years through food and water. Since they can also be found in the saliva of infected people, it is also possible that the infection spreads through mouth to mouth contact between people.

How do the bacteria cause peptic ulcers?

Normally the stomach can protect itself from aggressive fluids. It produces a lubricant shield for stomach tissues called mucus. Also the production of bicarbonate acts neutralizing as it breaks down the digestive fluids. Additionally, blood circulation in the stomach lining and regular cell renewal protect the sensitive lining of the stomach.

Once a person is infected with h. pylori, the bacterium can attack the mucus coating that usually protects the stomach and the duodenum. Since the coating is weakened, acidic stomach juices can easily irritate the very sensitive stomach lining beneath. Eventually this will cause a sore, the stomach/ duodenal ulcer. Ulcers can be very painful. In severe cases people wake up in the mornings with blood in their mouth.

Unfortunately, helicobacter pylori bacteria are able to survive in the stomach because they are able to neutralize the stomach acid that would usually destroy and discard unwanted bacteria in the stomach. Instead, the stomach acid that is thought to work with the stomach is now working against it, irritating the lining of the stomach or duodenal.

Is there a way to prevent an infection?

Since research has not found yet how the heliobacter bacteria actually spread it is almost impossible to prevent an infection. However, as mentioned above, it depends on the person if a stomach ulcer actually develops.

It is often stated that stomach ulcers are stress related. It is certainly true that the cause of stomach ulcers is either h. pylori or NSAIDs, but the fact that an infected person develops h. pylori might be related to a low immune system, which can be in fact stress related. Therefore one could maybe see an indirect connection between stomach ulcers and stress, or also poor nutrition. However, this has never been proven. Nevertheless, stress and poor nutrition definitely aggravate peptic ulcers.

The best advice to avoid an infection is still to always wash your hands before a meal and after using the bathroom. Also try to not eat and drink from the same dishes as other people.

Research is currently working on the development of a vaccine to prevent infections