What
is a Helicobacter Pylori? Helicobacter
pylori, (pronounced HELI-co-back-ter pie-Lorrie)
also called H. pylori is a spiral shaped bacterium. It lives in the stomach and
duodenum. The duodenum is the section of intestine
just below stomach. Helicobacter
pylori has a unique way of adapting in the harsh environment of the stomach. It
protects itself by covering itself with the mucus of the stomach. Once it is covered
with mucus, it is able to fight the stomach acid that does reach it with an enzyme
it possesses called urease. Because
of its spiral shape and the way it moves, H. pylori can penetrate the protective
lining of the stomach. When it penetrates the stomach, excess acid can irritate
the stomach and duodenum (pronounced Doo-o-DEE-num)
eventually causing an ulcer.
When
an ulcer has healed, it is likely to come back within a year. When H. pylori is
completely eliminated from the digestive tract, the chances that the ulcer will
return are greatly reduced. How
common is H. pylori? H.
pylori is very common. About 2/3 of the world's adult population are infected
with it. Almost everyone who has a duodenal ulcer has H. pylori, but not everyone
that has H. pylori develops an ulcer. How
do people become infected with H. pylori? H.
pylori can be spread through contaminated food or water.
What
illnesses besides ulcers does H. pylori cause? H.
pylori can cause chronic and severe inflammation of the stomach, wasting away
of the stomach's mucous layer. People with H. pylori are morel likely to develop
gastric cancer than people who are not affected with H. pylori.
What
can you do to prevent H. pylori infection? The
source of H. pylori is not yet known. However, it is always wise for persons to
wash hands thoroughly, to eat food that has been properly prepared, and to drink
water from a safe, clean source. These methods may help you from getting a H.
pylori infection.
| 
