Learning About H Pylori and Peptic Ulcers

What is a peptic ulcer?

H. pylori bacteria can cause peptic ulcers-sores on the lining of the stomach or duodenum.

A sore on the lining of the stomach or small intestine is called a peptic ulcer. Less commonly, a ulcer may develop just above the stomach in the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.

In the stomach its called a gastric ulcer. If it occurs in the small intestine, it is a duodenal ulcer. People can have both gastric and duodenal ulcers at the same time. They also can develop peptic ulcers more than once in their lifetime.

Peptic ulcers are not rare. Each year in the United States, about half a million people develop the ulcer.11Ramakrishnan K, Salinas RC. Peptic ulcer disease. American Family Physician. 2007;76(7):1005-1012.

What are the causes?

A bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major cause of peptic ulcers. Aspirin and ibuprofen also cause ulcers. Rarely, cancerous or noncancerous tumors in the stomach, duodenum, or pancreas cause ulcers.

Ulcers are not caused by stress or eating spicy food, but both can make ulcer symptoms worse. Drinking and smoking can cause ulcers, too.

What is H. pylori?

H. pylori is a type of bacteria-a germ that may cause infection. H. pylori infection is common, particularly in developing countries, and often begins in childhood. Usually, symptoms only present themselves in adulthood.

H. pylori causes more than half of peptic ulcers worldwide.2 The bacterium causes peptic ulcers by damaging the mucous coating that protects the stomach and duodenum. There is damage to the stomach lining and this allows stomach acid to get to the sensitive lining. Together, the stomach acid and H. pylori irritate the lining of the stomach or duodenum and cause an ulcer.

Yet, most people infected with H. pylori never develop ulcers. No one knows why. Most likely, development of ulcers depends on characteristics of the infected person; the type, or strain, of H. pylori present; and factors researchers have yet to discover.

2Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer disease; economics of peptic ulcer disease and H. pylori infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Accessed February 23, 2009.

How is H. pylori spread?

Researchers are not certain how H. pylori is transmitted, although they think it may be spread through contaminated food or water. Bad food or water, not washed or purified properly, can have the bacteria.

The infection can spread from person to person. Studies suggest that having contact with the stool or vomit of an infected person can spread H. pylori infection. And H. pylori has been found in the saliva of some infected people, which means infection could be spread through direct contact with saliva.

What are the symptoms of a peptic ulcer?

The most common symptom of ulcers is abdominal pain. Felt anywhere between the navel and the breastbone, this discomfort usually

• is a dull or burning pain
• occurs when the stomach is empty-between meals or during the night
• may be briefly relieved by eating food, in the case of duodenal ulcers, or by taking antacids, in both types of peptic ulcers
• lasts for minutes to hours
• comes and goes for several days or weeks

Other symptoms include

• weight loss
• poor appetite
• bloating
• burping
• nausea
• vomiting

There are some sufferers who suffer no symptoms.

Emergency Symptoms

A person who has any of the following symptoms should call a doctor right away:

• sharp, sudden, persistent, and severe stomach pain
• bloody or black stools
• bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

These symptoms might be a sign of a serious problem:

• bleeding-when acid or the peptic ulcer breaks a blood vessel
• perforation-when the peptic ulcer burrows completely through the stomach or duodenal wall
• obstruction-when the peptic ulcer blocks the path of food trying to leave the stomach

How is an H. pylori-induced ulcer diagnosed?

Noninvasive Techniques

If you have an ulcer, your doctor will first ask you about over-the-counter drugs you are taking. Patients who are taking an NSAID are asked to stop, reduce the dose, or switch to another medication.

Then the doctor tests to see if H. pylori is present. Getting tested is important because H. pylori-induced ulcers are treated differently than ulcers caused by NSAIDs.

Doctors use one of three simple, noninvasive tests to detect H. pylori in a patient's blood, breath, or stool. Because the breath test and stool test more accurately detect H. pylori than the blood test, some doctors prefer to use one of these two tests. The following tests are usually outpatient tests:

Blood test. A blood sample is taken from the patient's vein and tested for H. pylori antibodies. Antibodies are substances the body produces to fight invading harmful substances-called antigens-such as the H. pylori bacterium.

Urea breath test. A patient takes something labeled with a special atom of carbon. After a few minutes, the patient breathes into a container, exhaling carbon dioxide. If the carbon atom is found in the exhaled breath, H. pylori is present, as this bacterium contains large amounts of urease, a chemical that breaks urea down into carbon dioxide and ammonia.

Stool antigen test. A stool sample is tested for H. pylori antigens.

Can H. pylori infection be prevented?

No one knows for sure how H. pylori spreads, so prevention is difficult. Doctors are trying to find a vaccine to cure H. pylori infection. To help prevent infection, doctors advise people to

• wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating
• eat food that has been washed well and cooked properly
• drink water from a clean, safe source

By Kshamica Nimalasuriya MD, MPH

How To Get Rid of Intestinal Parasites Naturally

Infections with human intestinal parasites represent one of the most common health problems of our days, and they are usually accompanied by symptoms such as anemia, constipation, bloating, digestive disorders and skin rashes. Many people completely refuse to take the issue seriously, not wanting to believe they suffer from such an uncomfortable and embarrassing health condition. However, there is little to be ashamed of, since we are all exposed to the parasite organism by means of the air, the food and the drinks we come into contact with. Besides the use of powerful anti-parasite drugs that are usually prescribed for the matter, there are natural ways to prevent or deal with worm infections, particularly since we are talking about long-term interventions.

There are specific herbs Mother Nature has in stock for us that create a completely unfriendly environment for intestinal parasites. Savory is one unique herb used for centuries as a spice, and cure for intestinal problems. Besides its anti-bacterial and carminative properties, it stimulates digestion and creates an unfriendly environment for intestinal worms. It is best used as tea or essential oil; the latter has a higher content of active substances and effects appear in a shorter period of time. Savory oil works best in combination with pumpkin seed oily extract, another great remedy that eliminates intestinal worms. You can have raw - not fried - pumpkin seeds, or use supplements based on pumpkin oil.

Pumpkin seed oil can be used to get rid of intestinal parasites without any side effects at all; there is no restriction of administration for children or women. Though it should be taken for at least a fortnight, results are almost immediate. One or two hours after taking the pumpkin seed oil, take some castor oil or a laxative to increase bowel movement and start eliminating the parasites. The active substances have a paralyzing effect on the worms, they are not actually killed; therefore, it is good to follow the pumpkin seed oil with some powerful laxatives. You can mash 400 grams of pumpkin seeds and mix them with milk and honey until the composition reaches a puree consistency. Have it on empty stomach in the morning and follow it with castor oil a couple of hours later.

By Ben W Taylor

Home Treatment For Gas Pain

Gas pain often strikes at a most inconvenient time, which is why simple remedies must be at hand for unexpected discomforts such as gas and bloating. Before effective treatment for gas pain can be undertaken however, it must first be evaluated which factors have perpetrated the condition. There are in fact several possible reasons for experiencing gas and by realizing the exact cause for excessive gas in the stomach you will be able to relieve yourself from the symptoms without having to leave your home. There are a host of effective home treatments for gas pain, and the best thing is that they don't cost a lot.
Many types of food actually promote gas pain, and while it is not merely the food itself that may have caused the discomfort, you must also look into the manner of the food preparation. Beans for example normally encourage gas build-up in the stomach, and it is advisable for anyone to cook the beans thoroughly as much as possible before consuming them. Lactose products especially milk is also another probable cause for excess gas. If you suddenly feel discomfort after eating, it may highly be caused by the food that you have just partaken.
Herbal teas have always been known to relieve the symptoms of excess gas such as bloating, belching, and the passing of bad gas. Ginger tea is a good antidote for troubled stomach, and chamomile tea is known for its palliative effects to the body. If for example you haven't taken anything for several hours and you feel gas pain, drink water and take a regular antacid to help expel the gas out. Then you can start eating a warmed vegetable soup, a light meal, and lots of water. Gas pain is best prevented when you realize the unique requirements of your body as well as you weak points.
There are lactase supplements that can be taken right before consuming dairy and lactose-filled fares like milk and ice cream. Lying on your back and flexing your knees will also allow your body to drive the gas out much easier. You must also avoid carbonated drinks while you are recuperating from gas discomforts, and keep away from oily food as well. There are also charcoal tablets that can be bought in any drugstore, and these are more natural means in treating excess gas. Finally don't forget to drink water if you are experiencing the first signs of gas pain such as constant belching, because water fills your stomach and helps expel the unnecessary gas from your system.
Some good home remedies you can make yourself:
1. Grown-ups remedy: Eat caraway seeds to relax the gassy stomach.
2. Drink tea with cinnamon when ever you feel gassy.
3. Drink warm water with lemon every morning.
4. Peppermint tea is very good for gas in the stomach.
5. Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in one cup of water and drink up.
6. Cook fennel seeds in water, strain, and drink the water while still warm.
7. Blanch cinnamon and ginger and drink whenever you feel gassy.
8. Drink chamomile tea when to treat the gassy stomach.
9. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with 1 cup of water and drink up to help with the bloating.
10. Mix 1 tablespoon of lime juice with 1 tablespoon of ginger in a cup of lukewarm water, and drink up.
By David Klein

Natural Cures For Stomach Ailments, Pain and Spasms

There are many people out there who suffer from stomach pains and genuinely wanted a way out. I used to suffer from terrible bouts of stomach spasms and pain- deep in a part of my stomach. The pain so so bad that I have to let go of whatever I am doing and just lie down. I remembered when I was a student and used to travel outstation on the overnight bus, I will sometimes get extreme stomach pain attacks- and by the time the bus reaches the destination, I was literally in tears of pain because I could not even stand up straight and even walk. That was when I learned to fear traveling, especially on overnight buses- because I will never know when the next attack is coming.
Yes, I also have similar problems. Any idea what causes this?
When I get terrible pains in exam halls, public transportation, traveling, shopping, outing with friends, working- or whenever I am not at home, I feel so terrible and alone. I seriously started to search for alternatives. I finally found the solution in more holistic and natural remedies.
My discovery:
It's not going to sound nice: but basically, it is due to bacteria eating away the rotted food that is stuck on the walls of your intensities and stomach. These bacteria metabolizes the food, releases toxin gases and chemicals that cause you extreme pain, vomiting and diarrhea. And when they multiply themselves in lightning speed, it will correspond to your rapidly escalating pain.
Can it get any worse?
Unfortunately, yes. If left untreated, or if you keep suppressing the symptoms with over the counter medication, the bacteria could eat into your stomach/intensities wall- causing terrible terrible pain. Also known as ulcer. Long term (like 5 to 10 years or maybe more) of bad eating habits and years of toxin accumulation may cause stomach or intestine cancer (people with frequent history of stomach ulcers and gastric, who take lots of well cooked and flavoured meat but dislike fruits and vegetables are at higher risk).
Can my problems be cured?
I certainly hope so. It's should be quite simple actually- 'clean' your digestive track. Take lots of fibre and water that keep your digestive track free of clots. Well, even though clots form here and now, they do not stay long because if you take lots of fibre with water, it cleans up the track well (like with a good brush and water to clean up a clogged pipe).
I am suffering from pain now. What can I do to cure myself?
1. If you still have the pain, avoid anything with milk or its derivatives such as cheese. You may be also lactose intolerant.
2. Get your digestion working well by taking more fruits that has high fiber content- red apples are excellent. Drink lots of water to help the fibre move easily along your digestive track- bringing anything that had rotted with it.
3. Till you fully recover, stay away from fried foods, chilies and meat that are BBQ-ed or fried. If you want to have meat, then stick to the steamed ones.
4. Anything else that you imagine will move around and get stuck in your digestive track such as creamy soup, starchy stuff or peanut butter must be avoided- at least till you get better. Also, and avoid peanuts and reduce your beans intake because it causes bloating.
5. Take some oats- this wonder food is good at 'trapping' any foodstuff that are stuck in your digestive walls. With water, the oats will really help clean up your stomach. You can take the instant but unsweetened ones.
6. Cut down on table sugar (and that includes packaged fruit juices that has little or no fibre) because these processed sugar easily causes bloating. Sugar from fruits are okay but stick to fruits with high fibre content.
6. No iced/cold water/drinks with meals especially if your stomach is not well- it affects digestion because your stomach needs room temperature to digest your food.
7. Eat regularly and do not skip meals. If you have no appetite, take something light at least like oats or whole grain bread.
What also will help:
Excessive stress also affects the digestion system and make it haywire. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, drop everything, go to a quiet place and close your eyes. Then breathe deeply and just be with your breath. Do not think and drown yourself in the problem that is troubling you. After 10 minutes, you will normally feel much better to face it. Try also a little exercise- aerobic activity like jogging and do some stretching- increased circulation helps everything to move around faster and get your body going.
But it soooo hard to sacrifice my 'unhealthy' eating habits.
Yes, it is hard to cut down your favourite foods. Actually, you do not need to eat 'wholesome' food all the time. But if your stomach is not well, at least try to follow the above steps for 2 weeks as much as you can. Give your stomach a change to recover. As you get better, I also recommend exercising as it will get your circulation moving and you can rid of toxins out of your body faster.
Once you fix your digestive problem, you may find you suffer less from the following conditions:

• headaches
• tiredness/sluggishness/fatigue
• diarrhea/constipation

Living with constant stomach pain or any form of pain is no fun. It robs you of a quality, fun and productive life that you deserved to have. As for me, curing the stomach ailments enable me to travel more often and I no longer fear night buses and long distance travel anymore.
Note: If your symptoms persists despite doing the above, please consult a doctor and go for a checkup. Extreme pain on the right side of your waist can means a burst appendicitis.

By Yin Teing