H. pylori peptic ulcers are usually treated with antibiotics and drugs that reduce the acid in the stomach and protect the sensitive stomach lining. Which antibiotic to choose depends on the region in which the patient lives, as certain areas in the world seemingly show resistance against some antibiotics. There are currently two types of acid reducing/ suppressing medications in the market, H2 (Histamine) blockers and proton pump inhibitors. H2 blockers block histamine in the body.

Once a person is infected with h. pylori, the h. pylori can attack the mucus coating that usually protects the stomach and the duodenum. Since the coating is weakened, acidic stomach juices can easily irritate the very sensitive stomach lining beneath. Eventually this will cause a sore, the stomach/ duodenal ulcer. Ulcers can be very painful. In severe cases people wake up in the mornings with blood in their mouth. Unfortunately, h.

Helicobacter pylori (h. pylori) is a certain bacterium that is thought to cause the majority of all peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are stomach and duodenal ulcers. In the U.S. over 20 percent of the population under the age of 40 and over 50 percent of the population above the age of 60 are infected with h. pylori. However, that does not necessarily mean that the infected person will also develop a peptic ulcer.

Helicobacter pylori bacteria are the leading cause of peptic ulcers. It is assumed that h. pylori bacteria are accumulated in the body through food and water. However, h. pylori can also be transmitted through person-to-person contact. Having h. pylori does not necessarily mean that a person will develop a peptic ulcer. Only one out of six persons infected with h. pylori bacteria actually develops a peptic ulcer.

The other cause of ulcer is usually aspirin or arthritis-type medication. Some people secrete very high levels of acid. Occasionally viruses can cause shallow ulcers. There are rare conditions, cause unknown, in which ulcers can develop in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract.

About 0.5 to 2.5% of persons with lifelong, untreated H. pylori will develop stomach cancer. This percentage is higher in some countries (Japan, Columbia) and lower in others (USA, Australia). Ethnic factors and diet also play a role. H. pylori positive persons without symptoms or family history of stomach cancer need not undergo endoscopy. Stomach and duodenal ulcers are likely to be caused by H. pylori but it does not cause oesophageal ulcers.

A course of two antibiotics and an acid blocking medicine taken for 10 - 14 days can eradicate 90% of H pylori.

Since research has not found out yet how h. pylori bacteria actually spread it is almost impossible to prevent an infection. However, as mentioned above, it depends on the person if a stomach ulcer actually develops. It is often stated that stomach ulcers are stress related. It is certainly true that the cause of stomach ulcers is either h. pylori or NSAIDs, but the fact that an infected person develops h. pylori might be related to a low immune system, which can be in fact stress related.

Papers and references on H. pylori may be obtained at any number of on-line medical journals that can be viewed at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hinfo.html.

Some scientists believe H. pylori resides in dental plaque. In Western countries and in patients who have good dental hygiene, H. pylori is not usually found in the mouth.

H. pylori is microaerophilic. See the question on how to culture H. pylori above. It probably is possible to transmit H. pylori by kissing but this is not proven.

Traditionally, it has been thought that lifestyle factors, such as alcohol abuse, physical and emotional stress, unhealthy eating habits and smoking, cause peptic ulcers and gastritis. This approach to the pathogenesis of peptic ulcers/gastritis has been based on many centuries of practical observation and treatment of ulcer and gastritis patients, and is still upheld by many practicing physicians today.

No. You cannot get H. pylori from a blood transfusion, but a blood serology antibody test could read positive if you have received a transfusion of whole blood or plasma from a patient with H. pylori. Anonymous. Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Helicobacter pylori Infections in the Developing World. Lima, Peru, 28-31 January 1996. Clinical.Infectious.Diseases. 1997; 25: 9712043. Banatvala N, Clements L, Abdi Y, Graham JY, Hardie JM, Feldman RA.

The only way to know for sure which treatment will work best for you is to consult your doctor and discuss which method of treatment would be best for you. Sometimes, one has to try several different treatments before finding the one that will work the best. The important thing is not to get discouraged -- there is something that is right for you.

No. However, many doctors believe that Crohn's Disease is caused by an infection. This is very controversial at present and clinical trials are being undertaken around the world to see if antibiotic treatment affects Crohn's disease.

present there is no convincing evidence that H. pylori is linked to heart disease. Several investigators have noted that atherosclerosis is more severe or more common in patients with chronic infections e.g. chlamydia and possibly Helicobacter, but this has not been confirmed.

H. pylori is the type species of the genus Helicobacter. Helicobacters belong to the family Helicobacteraceae which are all members of the subdivision Proteobacteria.

H. pylori does run in families. About half of the infections are hereditary and the other half are acquired from the environment during childhood.

No. Alternative medicines are an alternative for patients who are unable to be treated by conventional medicine (in my opinion). Thus, the treatment for H. pylori is known, so alternative medicines are unnecessary. The large multinational drug companies, who spend millions of dollars per year studying these compounds, have investigated most of the alternative medications for therapeutic effect. If any alternative medications are found to be effective for H.