Helicobacter pylori infection

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Is Helicobacter pylori three pluses serious?

Three pluses for Helicobacter pylori indicate that there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori, and the level of infection is not low. Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even stomach cancer. If a person tests positive for Helicobacter pylori infection, and has symptoms or diseases related to the digestive system, or has a family history of stomach cancer, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is necessary. The treatment involves a proton pump inhibitor plus two types of antibiotics, along with a bismuth agent, for a total of 14 days. After stopping the medication for one month, a carbon-14 breath test should be re-conducted. If the result turns negative, it means that the eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori was successful. If it does not turn negative, remedial treatment is required.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
53sec home-news-image

Can drinking clove water cure Helicobacter pylori?

Drinking clove-infused water is not an effective treatment for Helicobacter pylori. For effective treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is necessary to use a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for two weeks to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. You can choose one type of proton pump inhibitor, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, etc., combined with two of the antibiotics amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, and furazolidone, and either bismuth citrate or bismuth pectin to form a quadruple therapy. Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic bacterium. If infected with Helicobacter pylori, it may cause gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastric cancer, and other diseases. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 11sec home-news-image

Can Helicobacter pylori infection heal itself?

Helicobacter pylori infection generally does not heal on its own. Currently, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in our country has exceeded 50%, which is very high. After being infected with Helicobacter pylori, most patients do not show any symptoms. However, some patients may develop chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and even stomach cancer due to Helicobacter pylori infection, presenting symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. These patients need to undergo gastroscopy to confirm the diagnosis. Additionally, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is required, involving a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics, along with a bismuth agent, totaling 14 days of treatment. If eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is not conducted, Helicobacter pylori will not heal on its own.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 4sec home-news-image

How to treat Helicobacter pylori infection

Currently, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in our country has exceeded 50%. The carbon-14 breath test can be used to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If the infection is positive and is accompanied by some symptoms or diseases of the digestive system, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is required. The treatment regimen consists of a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, lasting for 14 days. After stopping the medication for a month, the carbon-14 breath test is rechecked to confirm whether the Helicobacter pylori has been converted to negative. If the conversion is negative, it indicates that the eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori was successful. Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as the main cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer, thus if the Helicobacter pylori infection is positive, eradication treatment is necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Does the breath test for Helicobacter pylori require fasting?

Currently, the detection of Helicobacter pylori is highly accurate and specific, and a rapid, simple, and effective method is the Carbon-14 breath test. The Carbon-14 breath test requires no eating within six hours, so it is best to take it on an empty stomach. Therefore, it is preferable to test for Helicobacter pylori on an empty stomach. Currently, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in our country has exceeded 50%. Helicobacter pylori is the principal cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, or gastric cancer. Therefore, if symptoms of the digestive system occur, such as belching, acid reflux, upper abdominal pain, nausea, and poor appetite, it is advisable to conduct a test for Helicobacter pylori, specifically the Carbon-14 breath test, to confirm the infection of Helicobacter pylori.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 9sec home-news-image

How to treat duodenal ulcer with Helicobacter pylori infection?

The treatment of duodenal ulcer accompanied by Helicobacter pylori infection begins primarily with anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy. The regimen includes a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, lasting a total of 14 days. In addition, for duodenal ulcers, it is necessary to use acid-suppressing and stomach-protecting medications to promote gastric mobility and protect the gastric mucosa, with the treatment course lasting six weeks. At the same time, it is important to focus on a light and easily digestible diet, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, as well as avoiding strong tea, coffee, spicy, irritating, fried, grilled, raw, cold, and sweet foods. It is also crucial to avoid adverse emotional effects such as anxiety, depression, and stress, prevent excessive fatigue or staying up late, and it is advised to moderately increase physical activity.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 7sec home-news-image

How to treat Helicobacter pylori positive?

The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in our country has already exceeded 50%, and Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as the main cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even gastric cancer. If Helicobacter pylori tests positive and is accompanied by symptoms or diseases of the digestive system, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is necessary. The medication involves a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, with a treatment period of 14 days. After the 14-day treatment, the medication should be discontinued for a month before rechecking with a carbon-14 breath test to confirm whether Helicobacter pylori has turned negative. If it has turned negative, it indicates that the eradication treatment of Helicobacter pylori is successful. After infection with Helicobacter pylori, a diet easy to digest is recommended.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
43sec home-news-image

If Helicobacter pylori is not treated properly, will it become more severe?

Helicobacter pylori infection, if not treated properly, does not necessarily become more severe. However, if treatment fails, it is necessary to undergo re-treatment. It is recommended to visit a hospital and consult with a qualified gastroenterologist to adjust the treatment plan. The choice of specific medications, as well as their dosages and usage, should be carried out according to medical advice. During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, it is important to avoid overeating, maintain regular meal times and portions, consume easily digestible foods, and eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins. Spicy and irritating foods should be avoided.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
47sec home-news-image

Do you need to change your toothbrush when treating Helicobacter pylori?

It is recommended to change your toothbrush during the treatment period for Helicobacter pylori. This is because Helicobacter pylori exists not only in the stomach but can also be detected in the saliva, dental plaque, and tongue coating of the mouth. Once infected with Helicobacter pylori, a two-week quad therapy that includes bismuth agents is necessary to eradicate the infection. After eradication, the bacteria might still be present on the toothbrush, which could lead to a recurring infection. Therefore, it is advised that patients change their toothbrush after undergoing treatment for Helicobacter pylori. Patients infected with Helicobacter pylori should undergo the two-week quad therapy including bismuth agents for treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
48sec home-news-image

Can you eat sweets during the treatment for Helicobacter pylori?

During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is permissible to eat sweets. During this period, it is necessary to avoid spicy and irritating foods, as well as avoid drinking strong alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and so on. It is recommended to consume more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, as well as nutritious and light foods. Smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided, and meals should be regular and in measured quantities. Since sweet foods are not considered spicy or irritating, they can be consumed during the treatment of Helicobacter pylori. After the treatment of a Helicobacter pylori infection, it is necessary to wait one month after stopping the medication before a follow-up examination to confirm whether the bacteria have been completely eradicated.