Peptic Ulcer: Role of H. Pylori Bacteria
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Peptic Ulcer: Role of H. Pylori Bacteria
Approximately 25 million Indians suffer from peptic ulcer disease at some point in their lifetime. Each year there are 500,000 to 850,000 new cases of peptic ulcer disease and more than one million ulcer-related hospitalizations. A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach or duodenum, which is the beginning of the small intestine.
Ulcers can develop at any age, but they are rare among teenagers
and even uncommon in children. Duodenal ulcers occur for the
first time usually between the ages of 30 and 50 years. Stomach
ulcers are more likely to develop in people older than 60 years.
Duodenal ulcers occur more frequently in men than women; stomach
ulcers develop more often in women than men.
The most common ulcer symptom is a gnawing or burning pain in
the abdomen between the breastbone and the navel. This pain
typically occurs when the stomach is empty, between meals and
in the early morning hours, but it can also occur at other times.
It may last from minutes to hours and may be relieved by eating
or by taking antacids. Less common ulcer symptoms include nausea,
vomiting and loss of appetite and weight. Bleeding from ulcers
may occur in the stomach and duodenum. Sometimes people are
unaware that they have a bleeding ulcer, because blood loss
is slow and blood may not be obvious in the stool. These people
may feel tired and weak. If the bleeding is heavy, blood will
appear in vomit or stool. Stool containing blood appears tarry
or black.
Although we used to think that spicy food, acid and stress were
the major causes of ulcers, but we now know that nine out of
ten ulcers are caused by H. pylori, a type of bacteria. H. pylori
weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum,
which allows acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath.
Both the acid and the bacteria irritate the lining and cause
an ulcer. Medicines that reduce stomach acid may make you feel
better, but your ulcer may recur. Here's the good news: Since
most ulcers are caused by this bacterial infection, they can
be cured with the right antibiotics.
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