Before reading this article, I sincerely invite you to click "Follow", so that you can access a series of high-quality articles at any time, and at the same time facilitate discussion and sharing, thank you for your support!
Copywriting丨Dr. Li's health protection
Editor丨Dr. Li Health Guard
Stomach problems plague the lives of many Chinese, and Helicobacter pylori is closely related to it. What is the magic of this tiny bacterium that makes the medical community so important? Dr. Lee from the Department of Gastroenterology will demystify H. pylori and answer the question of whether it needs to be eradicated.
Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped gram-negative bacterium that survives in an acidic environment of the stomach and colonizes the gastric mucosa. The discovery of this bacterium has changed the medical community's perception of stomach problems.
In 1982, Australia scientists Marshall and Warren isolated the bacterium for the first time and confirmed its relationship with gastritis and peptic ulcers. This discovery earned them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005.
China is one of the countries with a high infection rate of Helicobacter pylori, and according to statistics, the infection rate among mainland adults is as high as 40%-60%. This number is alarming and has also raised concerns about H. pylori treatment.
Dr Lee pointed out that Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to a variety of stomach diseases, including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, stomach cancer, etc. The World Health Organization classifies it as a Group 1 carcinogen. These facts seem to imply that eradication therapy should be initiated as soon as a positive test for H. pylori is detected. And is it really that simple?
In fact, the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and humans is complex and delicate. Studies have suggested that this bacterium may have played an important role in human evolution. It can help the body regulate gastric acid secretion, participate in the development of the immune system, and may even play a protective role against certain diseases. For example, some studies have found that Helicobacter pylori infection is inversely correlated with the incidence of asthma and allergic diseases.
What attitude should we take in the face of H. pylori infection? According to Dr. Lee, the key is individualized treatment. Not all people who carry H. pylori need eradication treatment. Eradication therapy is recommended only in specific circumstances.
Helicobacter pylori eradication should be considered in the following situations:1. Patients with peptic ulcers: eradication therapy should be considered, regardless of whether active or past medical history. 2. Patients with gastric mucosal intraepithelial neoplasia or early-stage gastric cancer: eradication therapy may help prevent cancer recurrence.
3. Family history of stomach cancer: This group of people has a higher risk of stomach cancer, and eradicating H. pylori may have a preventive effect.
4. Patients on long-term use of proton pump inhibitors: Long-term use of these drugs may increase the risk of H. pylori infection.
5. Patients with functional dyspepsia: Some patients may benefit from eradication therapy.
6. Patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: Eradication of Helicobacter pylori may improve the condition.
Dr Lee emphasised that eradication treatment of H. pylori is not a trivial matter. Standard triple or quadruple therapy usually includes a proton pump inhibitor and two to three antibiotics for a course of 7 to 14 days. This treatment may come with some side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, changes in taste, etc. What's more, inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to an increase in bacterial resistance, which is a serious challenge facing the medical community today.
TCM's understanding of stomach diseases is also worthy of our attention. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that stomach diseases are mostly caused by factors such as uncontrolled diet, emotional disorders, and weakness of the spleen and stomach. In terms of treatment, it emphasizes regulating the spleen and stomach and coordinating stomach qi. Some traditional Chinese medicines, such as Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Atractylodes macrocephalus, etc., have the effect of clearing heat and dampness, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and may have a certain relieving effect on stomach inflammation.
Dr. Lee recommends the following strategies for asymptomatic patients with H. pylori infection:1. Regular follow-up: Gastroscopy is performed once a year to monitor the condition of the gastric mucosa.
2. Adjust your lifestyle: quit smoking, limit alcohol, avoid irritating foods, and maintain a regular schedule.
3. Pay attention to food hygiene: Eat fresh, hygienic food and avoid raw or semi-raw food.
4. Strengthen immunity: Maintain a good work and rest habit, exercise moderately, and maintain a happy mood.
5. Traditional Chinese medicine conditioning: You can take some traditional Chinese medicine to regulate the spleen and stomach under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine.
For patients who require eradication treatment, Dr. Lee reminds that follow-up examinations should be conducted after treatment to confirm whether the eradication was successful. If the first treatment fails, susceptibility testing may be required to select a more targeted antibiotic regimen.
It is important to note that even if H. pylori is successfully eradicated, it does not mean that it will never be reinfected. It is still important to maintain good lifestyle habits and food hygiene.
Dr Lee also noted that in recent years, probiotics have shown potential in the prevention and adjuvant treatment of H. pylori infection. Some research suggests that certain probiotic strains may help inhibit the growth of H. pylori, or lessen the side effects of antibiotic treatment. However, more research is needed in this area to confirm its effectiveness.
Scientists are also working on vaccine research and development. There is currently no approved vaccine for H. pylori, but several clinical trials are underway. If successful, the vaccine could be a powerful tool in preventing H. pylori infection.
Dr Lee emphasised that in the face of H. pylori, we should neither panic excessively nor take it lightly. It is important to understand your health, have regular medical check-ups, and make appropriate decisions under the guidance of your doctor.
The relationship between H. pylori and humans is a complex balance. We need to find a balance between scientific knowledge and individualized treatment. As medical research deepens, so does our understanding of this ancient bacterium. In the future, we may discover more secrets of H. pylori and develop more precise and effective treatment options.
To conclude this topic, Dr. Lee would like to emphasize that a healthy lifestyle is always the best way to prevent stomach problems. Eating a balanced diet, exercising moderately, and maintaining a good mindset are seemingly simple tips, but they are the keys to maintaining a healthy stomach. In the face of Helicobacter pylori, what we need is rational cognition and scientific attitude, not blind panic or overtreatment.
Let's face Helicobacter pylori with a scientific attitude and maintain our stomach health in a rational way. After all, a healthy stomach is an important cornerstone of a happy life.
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!