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Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
About me
Shijiazhuang Central Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, attending physician.
Proficient in diseases
Engaged in clinical front-line medical work, proficient in dealing with common and frequently occurring diseases in this profession, capable of carrying out daily medical teaching and scientific research work in this profession.
Voices
Can gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori?
Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacterium, hence it is invisible to the naked eye. However, during a gastroscopy, the gastroenterologist can infer whether a patient is infected with Helicobacter pylori by observing the mucosal appearance under the endoscope. For example, signs such as the disappearance of damages in the tiny veins, nodular changes resembling chicken skin, scattered congested spots, and others. To confirm the presence of a Helicobacter pylori infection, further tests are required. For instance, during a gastroscopy, a rapid urease test can be conducted where a tissue sample from the stomach is tested - this method is quite convenient. Alternatively, a tissue sample can be sent for pathological examination, which might take longer.
Can Helicobacter pylori cure itself?
Can Helicobacter pylori be self-healing? Helicobacter pylori is very stubborn; once infected, adults who do not undergo formal therapeutic interventions will be afflicted for life, meaning the cure rate is close to zero. Children, whose immune functions are not yet fully developed, may experience multiple exposures on the gastric mucosa and short-term colonization before Helicobacter pylori settles permanently, which could potentially lead to either colonization or loss of the bacteria. White populations have stronger immune resistance than colored populations. Tracking reports indicate that 50% of white children may lose the infection after contracting it, while only 4% of black children might. Generally, the infection rate is higher than the self-healing rate, indicating that Helicobacter pylori infections in adults are generally not self-resolving.
What should I do about rectal bleeding from an anal fissure?
Firstly, if rectal bleeding occurs before a doctor's diagnosis, it is imperative to seek medical attention promptly to rule out other conditions. The cause of the bleeding could be from a site above the anus or other diseases related to the anus, and it might not necessarily be an anal fissure. If diagnosed with an anal fissure, treatment generally involves the local application of ointment. It is important to avoid conditions in daily life that could lead to constipation or diarrhea, as these can irritate the mucous membrane of the anus and exacerbate the symptoms of an anal fissure. Dietarily, it is beneficial to eat more vegetables, fruits, and foods high in rough fiber to ensure that stools are well-formed. If anal fissures recur, do not avoid seeking medical help, as this could lead to the formation of scars and contractions around the anus, causing anal stenosis, at which point surgery would be necessary.
Medications for treating gastric ulcers
Here I will introduce several major types of medications for treating gastric ulcers, but specific medication use should be consulted with a doctor or pharmacist according to individual conditions. The first major type is anti-gastric acid medications. Since gastric acid plays a significant role in ulcerative lesions, it is considered appropriate to treat gastric ulcers by adjusting the stomach environment to a pH of 3.5. Anti-acid medications include antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, and others. The second major type is gastric mucosal protectants, which include some class B drugs, prostaglandin derivatives, and some containing sucralfate. The third major type is medications that treat Helicobacter pylori, with quadruple therapy currently being a common practice. Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.
Can a gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori?
Since Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacterium, it cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, current research indicates that Helicobacter pylori is strongly associated with certain mucosal appearances under endoscopy. Therefore, endoscopists can infer the presence of an infection based on certain mucosal appearances observed during the procedure. However, if the only purpose is to test for Helicobacter pylori infection without needing a gastroscopy, then we can opt for non-invasive methods such as the carbon-13 urea breath test, carbon-14 urea breath test, stool antigen test, and serological antibody tests, which are commonly used methods of testing. Moreover, after treatment for Helicobacter pylori, it is recommended to use either the carbon-13 or carbon-14 urea breath test for examination.
The difference between duodenitis and duodenal ulcer
The difference between duodenitis and duodenal ulcer is as follows: A diagnosis of duodenitis under endoscopy indicates inflammation in the duodenal bulb or descending part, featuring patchy congestion or spotted, erosive conditions identified during the endoscopic procedure, which lead to the diagnosis of duodenitis. If isolated or multiple ulcerative lesions are found in a certain area, it is diagnosed as a duodenal ulcer. Benign ulcers typically have clear boundaries, with surfaces covered with white moss or blood scabs, and the surrounding area may exhibit redness, concentrated mucosa, among other characteristics. Depending on these different presentations, there are different stages of the disease. Both duodenitis and duodenal ulcers are considered benign lesions.
Can reflux esophagitis be cured?
Reflux esophagitis can be cured, however, the recurrence rate of reflux esophagitis is more than 80%, and generally requires maintenance treatment. The treatment principles are acid suppression, enhancing the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, and protection of the mucosa. Next, let's specifically introduce non-drug treatments. Dietary therapy is very important, mainly involving reasonable dietary intake and good eating habits, which play a significant role in prevention. Another is positional therapy, mainly avoiding lying down immediately after meals, as well as quitting smoking and alcohol, reducing negative pressure, and taking some related medications or undergoing surgical procedures, etc. Generally, a combination of treatments is used to improve efficacy, and the treatment course should not be less than three months.
Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease
The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis are quite typical and include a range of symptoms. The most typical symptom is heartburn, primarily referring to a burning discomfort or pain felt behind the sternum or beneath the xiphoid process, usually occurring about an hour after eating, often accompanied by nausea. Another common symptom is acid regurgitation, which tends to occur more frequently on an empty stomach. Additional symptoms include chest pain, mainly due to the irritation of the esophageal mucosa by refluxed digestive juices, causing esophageal spasm and resultant pain. Difficulty swallowing is also a common symptom, initially mainly due to stress-induced spasms leading to swallowing difficulties. In later stages, it is often due to the proliferation of fibrous tissue forming scars that cause esophageal narrowing, resulting in swallowing difficulties. Other common symptoms include bloating, pharyngitis, cough, asthma, and more.
Can a gastroscopy examine Helicobacter pylori?
Can a gastroscopy detect Helicobacter pylori? Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria, thus it cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, recent research shows that Helicobacter pylori is closely related to certain mucosal appearances observed under endoscopy. Therefore, endoscopists can infer the infection of Helicobacter pylori based on certain mucosal appearances. However, if a patient is just testing for Helicobacter pylori infection, there is no need for a gastroscopy. We can choose some non-invasive methods such as the carbon-13 breath test, carbon-14 breath test, stool antigen test, and serological antibody test, which are commonly used detection methods. Moreover, after treatment for Helicobacter pylori, it is recommended to choose the carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath test, as they are quite accurate.
What are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease?
The following are some symptoms: The most common and typical symptom is heartburn. It mainly manifests as a burning discomfort or pain behind the sternum and below the xiphoid process. This usually occurs about an hour after eating and may extend upward from the lower end of the sternum to the neck and between the shoulder blades, often accompanied by nausea. Another common symptom is acid reflux, which generally occurs more often on an empty stomach. Another symptom is chest pain, mainly caused by irritation of the esophageal mucosa leading to spasms. There is also difficulty swallowing, which is quite common; initially, it is often caused by a stress-induced spasm. In later stages, it is mostly due to the proliferation of fibrous tissue forming scars, leading to esophageal narrowing. Some less common symptoms include stomach bloating, pharyngitis, cough, asthma, and others.