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Helicobacter pylori infection
What are the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori?
After Helicobacter pylori infection, many patients show no symptoms, while others may develop chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even gastric cancer as a result of the infection, manifesting symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, burping, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and indigestion. Therefore, if you are infected with Helicobacter pylori and experience the above symptoms, it is recommended to undergo a gastroscopy to confirm the diagnosis. After a clear diagnosis, treatment can be tailored to the specific disease. A 14-day eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori is recommended, involving a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, for a total treatment duration of 14 days. Dietary suggestions include eating divided meals and using serving chopsticks, which can significantly reduce the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori.
Do you have to take medication if you test positive for Helicobacter pylori?
Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as a significant cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in China is very high, exceeding 50%, and is closely related to the dietary habits of the Chinese people, as they tend to share dishes, making it easy to transmit Helicobacter pylori. Is medication necessary if one is infected with Helicobacter pylori? The answer is not necessarily. Treatment for Helicobacter pylori is only needed if there is accompanying chronic gastritis, erosion, peptic ulcers, or a family history of certain gastrointestinal diseases. If there are no symptoms and no family history of such diseases, and only a positive Helicobacter pylori test, medication may not be necessary.
Can I eat cake during the treatment of Helicobacter pylori?
During the treatment process for Helicobacter pylori, it is permissible to eat cake, as there are no specific dietary restrictions. However, it is important to avoid spicy and stimulating foods, as well as strong liquor, strong tea, coffee, etc. Treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection may include the use of proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and lansoprazole combined with antibiotics like amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole, often in a quadruple therapy regimen with bismuth citrate for two weeks aimed at eradicating the infection. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection should consume easy-to-digest, bland foods and avoid overly spicy and stimulating foods. (Please follow your doctor's prescription when using medications.)
Helicobacter pylori treatment for half a month, re-examination still positive, what could be the reason?
If a follow-up test for Helicobacter pylori is positive after half a month of treatment, it indicates that the treatment was not successful, and Helicobacter pylori is still present. At this point, it is necessary to adjust the medication plan and treat Helicobacter pylori again. The specific medication methods and treatment duration should be used under the guidance of a doctor. Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection requires the use of a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for two weeks to eradicate it. Additionally, the diet should include an increased intake of fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Smoking and alcohol should be avoided. (Please follow the doctor’s prescription for medication use.)
How to treat erosive gastritis without Helicobacter pylori?
Erosive gastritis primarily presents symptoms such as upper abdominal distension, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. Diagnosis can be confirmed through gastroscopy, which reveals erosion of the gastric mucosa. If Helicobacter pylori is negative, treatment for erosive gastritis should involve acid suppression, gastric protection, enhancement of gastric motility, and protection of the gastric mucosa. A treatment period of four to six weeks can generally lead to recovery. Additionally, dietary adjustments are crucial: avoid smoking and alcohol, refrain from drinking strong tea and coffee, and do not consume greasy, rich, spicy, fried, grilled, sweet, or cold foods. Milk, soy milk, glutinous rice, and sweet potatoes should also be avoided, favoring instead a diet that is easy to digest. Simultaneously, it is important to increase physical activity to enhance gastrointestinal motility and avoid staying up late.
Can I take vitamins B1 and B12 during treatment for Helicobacter pylori?
During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is possible to consume Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B12. The treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection can consider using a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for two weeks to eradicate the infection. During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, one can also eat fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, such as kiwis, bananas, apples, etc. It is important to eat regularly and in moderation, consume light, easily digestible foods, and avoid overeating. Spicy and stimulative foods should be avoided, including strong alcohol, strong tea, coffee, etc. At the same time, patients with Helicobacter pylori infection should also ensure adequate rest.
Is long-term bad breath definitely caused by Helicobacter pylori?
Chronic bad breath may be caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, but this is not always the case. Other causes of bad breath include dental issues, such as cavities and tooth decay. Additionally, stomach diseases can also cause bad breath, many of which are associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. After ruling out dental diseases, it is recommended to undergo a Carbon-14 breath test to determine if there is an infection of Helicobacter pylori. If the test for Helicobacter pylori infection is positive and accompanied by some stomach symptoms, such as upper abdominal bloating, burping, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting, it is advisable to undergo a 14-day treatment for Helicobacter pylori. Generally, after treatment, the Helicobacter pylori can change from positive to negative.
What are the symptoms of children infected with Helicobacter pylori?
Children infected with Helicobacter pylori typically show no symptoms initially, but may later develop chronic gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcers. Clinical manifestations mainly include vomiting, nausea, abdominal distension, acid reflux, and abdominal pain, and may even present symptoms such as bloody stools or vomiting blood. If a child is infected with Helicobacter pylori but exhibits mild symptoms, treatment can focus solely on the infection. However, if there are gastrointestinal ulcers or repeated gastrointestinal discomfort, treatment should include antibiotics along with medications that suppress stomach acid production. Treatment duration usually lasts about one to two months, depending on the specific condition of the child.
Can I eat chocolate while treating Helicobacter pylori?
During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, it is permissible to eat chocolate, but it is also advisable not to consume too much chocolate. During the treatment period, one should avoid spicy and irritating foods, abstain from alcohol, and avoid drinking strong tea, coffee, etc. It is beneficial to eat easily digestible foods and fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, such as apples, bananas, and kiwis. Since chocolate is not considered a spicy and irritating food, it is permissible to eat chocolate during the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. However, during this period, it is also important to avoid overeating and to chew food slowly and thoroughly.
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.