“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. It is a common infection, and it is estimated that about 50% of the world's population is infected with H. pylori.
H. pylori infection can cause various gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. It is also associated with an increased risk of developing peptic ulcers, which are open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or small intestine. In some cases, H. pylori infection can lead to stomach cancer.
The exact cause of H. pylori infection is not clear, but it is believed to be transmitted through oral-oral or fecal-oral routes. It is more common in developing countries, where sanitation is poor, but it can occur anywhere in the world.
H. pylori infection can be diagnosed through a breath test, blood test, stool test, or biopsy. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, which help to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. In most cases, treatment is successful in eradicating the infection, although it may take several weeks for symptoms to improve.