H Pylori: a cause of incessant suffering

If you’ve ever had unexplained stomach pain, throw up frequently or have indigestion, it might be more than stress or bad food.

It could be H. pylori.

Short for Helicobacter pylori, it’s bacteria that lives in your stomach lining. For many, it causes no symptoms. But for others, it can lead to ulcers, bloating, or worse, stomach cancer.

So how do you get it?

The most common source is through contaminated food or water. It’s more common than you think. In some parts of the world, over 50% of people have it. It spreads easily. You could get it as a child and not know for years.

How would you know if you have it?

Burning pain in the stomach. Nausea. Loss of appetite. Feeling full after a few bites. Bad breath. Sometimes, no signs at all. That’s what makes it tricky.

Why should you care?

Because left untreated, H. pylori can damage your stomach lining. It reduces mucus. That makes your stomach vulnerable to acid. Over time, this can lead to ulcers. In rare cases, cancer.

The best way to find out is to undertake a simple breath test. Sometimes a stool test. Or a blood test. Your doctor may also recommend an endoscopy.

You should test if you have symptoms. Or if ulcers run in your family. If you’re positive, treatment is usually a mix of antibiotics and acid blockers.

I have seen h pylori go away in a few weeks. I have seen it persist for months on end. It is a persistent form of bacteria.

Food matters. H. pylori thrives in acidic, inflamed environments. Eat more anti-inflammatory food such as broccoli and garlic.

Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, and processed food. Gut health plays a big role in how well you recover.

Probiotics can help. They don’t kill H. pylori directly. But they support your gut and reduce side effects from antibiotics.

Don’t ignore persistent stomach pain or indigestion. H. pylori can be treated especially when caught early. But if left unchecked, it can silently do damage for years.

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