Helicobacter pylori by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

During the past two decades the role of Helicobacter pylori infection have been a topic of intensive research. H. pylori infection can cause acute and chronic gastritis, duodenitis, gastric peptic ulcers and duodenal ulcers. H. pylori has been identified as a risk factor for gastric cancer. Nearly more than 90% of patients with duodenal ulcurs, more than 70% of those with gastric ulcer and more than 80% patients with gastric cancer have H. pylori infection.

Natural treatment for Helicobacter pylori
Non-antibiotic therapies, including herbs, probiotics, and antioxidants, have been increasingly investigated as potential alternatives for the treatment of H. pylori. Consider the use of essential oils. Another option is the use of mastic.

Helicobacter pylori symptom
The most common symptom of helicobacter pylori infection is indigestion. However, having the Helicobacter pylori bacterium doesn't necessarily mean you will have indigestion, and having indigestion due to too much acid doesn't necessarily mean you have the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. In most people, helicobacter pylori infection causes no symptoms. Those who do have a symptom from Helicobacter pylori may experience indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating and burping. However, just because you have these symptoms does not mean you have the Helicobacter pylori bacterium infection since these symptoms can be caused by a number of medical conditions.

Helicobacter Pylori Diagnosis
Several methods can be used to diagnose H. pylori: invasive methods such as endoscopy and non-invasive methods such as urea-breath-test, detection of antigens in stool, detection of specific antibodies in patients sera by means of serological tests--ELISA and Immunblott, molecular tests PCR and fluorescence-in situ- hybridisation.

Helicobacter Pylori Treatment
Despite years of experience with Helicobacter pylori treatment, the ideal regimen for treating the infection has not been found. The most effective eradication treatment is the combination of a proton pump inhibitor PPI with antibiotics, but 10-20% of the patients fail to obtain eradication of the infection. Antibiotic resistance is a major factor affecting the outcome of treatment.
     Smoking increases the treatment failure rate for H. pylori eradication.

Sequential treatment for Helicobacter Pylori infection may be a better option
In patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, a sequential treatment may be more effective than triple therapy using a proton pump inhibitor and antibiotics. Dr. Dino Vaira of the University of Bologna, Italy and colleagues note that European guidelines suggest 7-day triple therapy with a PPI, and clarithromycin along with amoxicillin or metronidazole for eradicating H. pylori. Sequential therapy uses a PPI and amoxicillin, given twice daily for the first 5 days followed by twice daily triple therapy with a PPI, clarithromycin and tinidazole for a further 5 days. They reviewed results from 15 studies involving more than 1800 patients. Overall, sequential therapy produced an eradication rate greater than 90%, significantly better than the less than 80% rate seen with 7 to 10-day triple therapy. Gut 2007;56:1353-1357.
 

Helicobacter Pylori and Cancer
Many epidemiological reports indicate that Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection plays an important role in gastric cancer formation. H pylori is known to induce chronic inflammation in the gastric mucosa. Its products, including superoxides, participate in the DNA damage followed by initiation, and the inflammation-derived cytokines and growth factors contribute to the promotion of gastric carcinogenesis. By eradicating H pylori, gastric inflammation can be cured; the therapy diminishes the levels not only of inflammatory cell infiltration, but also atrophy/intestinal metaplasia in part.

Helicobacter Pylori and Vascular Disease

Infection by Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria associated with peptic ulcers and gastric cancer, also appears to increase the risk of diseases of the circulation, also referred to as "vascular disease.

Helicobacter Pylori Questions
Q. Do you think eating a lot of sugar or fructose can make helicobacter pylori infection worse?
     A. It's a good question. I don't know. It has been reported that berries could be helpful.

Q. Are there supplements that suppress H pylori symptoms?
     A. I have not seen any good human trials yet, but in the laboratory several herbs have show anti- helicobacter pylori activity. These supplements are green tea extract, bacopa, cranberry, probiotics, and bilberry.

Helicobacter pylori symptom