Is H. pylori causing your Gastritis and other Gut Issues?

What the heck is H. pylori?

We all know that our bodies are full of bacteria, some good some bad. One of the many bacteria is called Helicobacter Pylori or H. Pylori for short. They are shaped in a way that allows them to go deep into your stomach lining, where they are protected by mucus and can’t be reached by your body’s immune cells, making them very tricky to get rid of.

H. pylori often infect your stomach during childhood, they are adapted to live in the harsh acidic environment of the stomach. These bacteria can change the environment around them and reduce its acidity so they can survive. 60% of the world population is infected with it, usually with no symptoms present. However, it can lead to diseases in some like peptic ulcers or inflammatory conditions like gastritis.

There is no known way to prevent H. pylori infection, but experts recommend the following:

1. Washing hands before eating and after using the restroom.

2. Eating food that has been handled and prepared safely.

3. Drinking only clean, safe drinking water.

Symptoms of H. pylori

Many people don’t actually show any signs or symptoms however if they do, they may have various symptoms. It can damage the tissue in your stomach and the first part of your small intestine (the duodenum). This can cause redness and soreness (inflammation). This is called gastritis. You may get sores or peptic ulcers in your stomach or in the duodenum.

Ulcers symptoms may include belly or abdominal pain;

• which can be a dull pain that doesn’t go away,

• happen 2-3 hours after you eat,

• come and go for several days or weeks,

• happen in the middle of the night when your stomach is empty,

• go away when you eat or take medicines that reduce your stomach acid level (antacids).

Other symptoms of an ulcer may include;

• weight loss

• not feeling hungry

• swelling or bloating

• Burping

• Upset stomach or nausea

• Vomiting

H. pylori has also been linked to other various health issues including but not limited to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, gastritis, GERD, and cancer.

How do I know if I have H. pylori?

While some symptoms like heartburn and stomach pain may be an indication that you are infected with H. pylori, the best way to know for sure is to go to your healthcare provider to get the proper tests, these include:

• Blood Tests

• Stool Culture

• Breath Tests

How is H. pylori treated?

A visit to your family doctor will most likely provide you with a prescription to strong antibiotics and acid Blockers for a required length of time. While this may be the road most taken, the medication itself can cause additional damage once the bacteria have been treated.

When taking the holistic route, herbs will be recommended as an antimicrobial. Herbs like licorice, mastic gum, barberry and slippery elm are commonly recommended. In addition to antimicrobials, food and lifestyle (what you’re eating, when you’re eating, stress management, sleep hygiene, water/hydration) will be looked at to support the body, making sure it gets the nutrients it needs to support healing and elimination.

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