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Helicobacter pylori infection
Can you kiss during the treatment period for Helicobacter pylori?
During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is advisable to avoid kissing, as Helicobacter pylori may be present in saliva, and kissing could transmit the infection to a partner. Also, avoid consuming strong alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and other spicy and irritant foods. Eat regularly and in moderation, chew slowly, and consume easily digestible foods along with fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, such as apples, bananas, tomatoes, and kiwis. It is recommended to use separate meals during the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection to prevent transmission.
Can Helicobacter pylori infection recur after treatment?
Helicobacter pylori, once treated, does not recur, but it is possible to be infected again after the treatment is completed. Currently, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in our country has exceeded 50%, so it is important to be cautious during communal meals. Due to the Chinese dietary habit of sharing dishes using the same chopsticks, it is easy to spread Helicobacter pylori. Therefore, it is advisable to use serving chopsticks, which can significantly reduce the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori. If reinfected with Helicobacter pylori, it is necessary to undergo eradication treatment again. The treatment involves a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, totaling a 14-day treatment. After infection with Helicobacter pylori, dietary precautions are also needed, focusing on a light, easily digestible diet, and avoiding difficult-to-digest foods.
What should I do if Helicobacter pylori infection is not cured after two treatments?
If Helicobacter pylori infection has not been cured after two treatments, it is necessary to consider the possibility of bacterial resistance or that the treatment was not standardized. It is advisable to visit the gastroenterology department of a hospital. Based on the doctor's experience, it may be necessary to adjust the medication plan. The choice of specific medications and their dosage should be determined according to the doctor's prescription. During the treatment period, one should eat easily digestible food and avoid spicy and irritating foods, as well as avoid drinking alcohol, strong tea, coffee, etc. It is also important to eat slowly and avoid overeating or drinking excessively.
Can I drink coffee during the treatment for Helicobacter pylori?
It is not recommended to drink coffee during the treatment for Helicobacter pylori. During the treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection, it is advised to consume more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, maintain regular meals, and eat light, easily digestible foods. Avoid strong alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and also greasy foods. The main methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection are the carbon-13 urea breath test or the carbon-14 urea breath test. If the test results are positive, a standard eradication treatment using a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for two weeks should be implemented. Additionally, a re-examination is needed one month after discontinuing the medication to confirm whether the eradication is complete.
Why is there an increase in flatulence after the treatment of Helicobacter pylori?
After treatment for Helicobacter pylori, having more flatulence generally isn't directly related to the treatment, as the medication used includes proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, as well as bismuth citrate potassium. None of these drugs typically cause increased flatulence. If a patient experiences more flatulence after treatment, it might be due to functional dyspepsia. At this point, treating the condition with medications that regulate the gut flora, such as combined lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium triple live bacteria, might be effective. If the increased flatulence persists, it is advisable to promptly undergo a digital colonoscopy to rule out the possibility of organic intestinal diseases. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Is it normal to experience vomiting during the treatment process for Helicobacter pylori?
During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, vomiting may occur because the treatment to eradicate Helicobacter pylori involves the use of antibiotics such as clarithromycin and metronidazole. These antibiotics can irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with stronger reactions may experience vomiting during the medication process. Therefore, it is recommended to take clarithromycin and metronidazole about half an hour after a meal. During the treatment period, patients infected with Helicobacter pylori should avoid spicy and irritating foods, drink more water, and consume light and easily digestible foods.
Does a positive Helicobacter pylori require treatment?
Currently, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in our country has exceeded 50%. If there is an infection of Helicobacter pylori and it is accompanied by symptoms or diseases of the digestive system, or if the patient has a family history of gastric cancer, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is needed. This is because Helicobacter pylori has been proven to be the main cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even gastric cancer. The method of eradication involves a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, with treatment lasting for 14 days. After the 14-day treatment period, medications are stopped for a month. One month later, a carbon-14 breath test is performed to confirm whether Helicobacter pylori has been converted to negative. If it has converted to negative, it means that the eradication treatment was successful.
What should I do if I feel uncomfortable in my stomach and intestines after treatment for Helicobacter pylori?
The main reason for discomfort in the stomach and intestines after treatment for Helicobacter pylori might very likely be due to the consumption of clarithromycin, metronidazole, etc., as metronidazole, clarithromycin, and others can also irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is recommended to take metronidazole, clarithromycin, and other similar medications about half an hour after meals to reduce their side effects. If the patient experiences gastrointestinal discomfort, consider using medications that regulate the gut flora for treatment, such as compounded lactobacillus, bifidobacterium triple live bacteria, and bacillus coagulans, etc. If the stomach discomfort is quite severe, medications that protect the gastric mucosa, such as magnesium trisilicate or vitamin B6, may be taken. These medications can help alleviate the side effects of other drugs and reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Discomfort might also be due to incomplete healing. First, it is necessary to return to a regular hospital for a follow-up consultation. If the symptoms have not worsened, it is important to continue taking the prescribed medications as advised by the doctor. Recent dietary habits should include eating regularly, having smaller, more frequent meals, and avoiding spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods. Rest should also be prioritized. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)
What are the early symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection?
Helicobacter pylori can cause chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even stomach cancer. Infection with Helicobacter pylori may result in symptoms such as upper abdominal distension and pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, bad breath, and indigestion. A carbon-14 breath test can confirm a Helicobacter pylori infection. Currently, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in our country has exceeded 50%. If an infection is present and symptoms or diseases of the digestive system occur, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is necessary. The treatment regimen consists of a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, adjusted to a 14-day course.
Can treatment for Helicobacter pylori be stopped at any time?
During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is not advisable to stop the medication arbitrarily, as doing so may lead to insufficient treatment duration and result in a failure to eradicate the bacteria. Therefore, it is recommended to use a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for two weeks to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. The specific medications included in this two-week quadruple therapy are a proton pump inhibitor such as pantoprazole or lansoprazole, plus two antibiotics such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, or metronidazole, combined with bismuth potassium citrate. The medication should be taken under medical supervision. Helicobacter pylori infection can be detected through a carbon-13 breath test or a carbon-14 breath test.