Helicobacter pylori: The germ that hits the stomach

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the second most common infectious disease after tooth decay. Thirty-three million Germans and every second person over the age of 50 live with the dangerous lodger in their stomach. Burping, feeling of fullness, pain or nausea are indications that the stomach germ is up to mischief in the body. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis), ulcers in the stomach and duodenum or even stomach cancer can be his work.

Symptoms of Helicobacter pylori

The following Helicobacter symptoms are an indication of the presence of the stomach germ:

• Pain or pressure in the upper abdomen
• constant feeling of fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
• Fasting pain: The symptoms subside for a short time during or after a meal
• Pain at night that makes you wake up
• Anaemia and black stools

If these symptoms continue to cause problems for more than one to two weeks, a doctor should be consulted.

 

Causes of the stomach germ

Today, experts know that the bacterium usually settles in the stomach in childhood and is transmitted from person to person. In our latitudes, the germ is passed on mainly by mouth-to-mouth (oral-oral), for example, from an infected mother to her child.

An infected person’s risk of infecting another in adulthood tends to be zero. This is probably because, at a certain age, the immune system can stand up to the germs.

In developing countries with low hygienic standards, the bacterium is probably also transmitted via the stool (faecal-oral).

The risk of becoming infected with Helicobacter pylori can be reduced with appropriate hygiene measures. Studies have shown that, for example, “indoor toilets” with sinks for washing hands afterwards can significantly reduce the infection rate. 

Gastritis secondary to Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori initially behaves inconspicuously for years without the affected person noticing anything. But at some point, he draws attention to himself. With its thread-like flagella, it is highly mobile and spreads over the entire gastric mucosa. It hides in the mucous layer of the stomach wall and attaches itself to epithelial cells.

In the long run, the gastric mucosa cells become irritated and inflamed; gastritis, which sometimes smoulders in the stomach without any symptoms, is the result.

But often, what has been brewing secretly for a long time comes to light. As a result, the stomach rebels with pain, fullness, and nausea. 

 

From germ to cancer

Gastritis, in turn, can often pave the way for a variety of other diseases, especially when factors such as genetic predisposition, smoking or certain medications are involved.

About 95 per cent of all duodenal ulcers and 70 to 80 per cent of all gastric ulcers are the work of H. pylori. It is also strongly suspected of promoting or even triggering malignant diseases such as stomach cancer. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the germ as carcinogenic.

Nevertheless, there are patients who, despite their roommate, have no problems with their stomach and only find out about it when the gastrointestinal tract is examined for other reasons. And not everyone infected with Helicobacter pylori develops an ulcer. However, the risk of such an ulcer is significantly increased with an infection with Helicobacter pylori.