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Helicobacter pylori infection
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.
Reactions during the treatment of Helicobacter pylori
During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, there usually isn't significant discomfort, but a small number of patients may experience upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms after taking antibiotics. Treatment of Helicobacter pylori requires a two-week quadruple therapy including a bismuth-containing agent. During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, it is recommended to consume fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, avoid spicy and irritating foods, quit smoking and drinking, and avoid strong tea and coffee. Furthermore, it is advisable to avoid overeating and drinking excessively during the treatment period.
Is the treatment process for Helicobacter pylori uncomfortable?
The treatment process for Helicobacter pylori infection is not uncomfortable, primarily involving oral medication. Treatment options include a combination of two antibiotics such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, furazolidone, metronidazole, etc., alongside a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole, pantoprazole, or lansoprazole, and the addition of bismuth citrate. This forms a quadruple therapy administered over two weeks to eradicate the infection. During treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection, it is advised to consume a diet rich in vitamins, incorporating fresh vegetables and fruits. It is important to eat regularly, avoid overeating or consuming oily, spicy, and irritating foods. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)
What is the reason that Helicobacter pylori treatment causes black stools?
If black stools occur during the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is very likely due to the medication-induced black stools caused by taking potassium citrate bismuth or bismuth pectin. However, to rule out the possibility of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, a fecal occult blood test can be conducted for a clear diagnosis. Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection requires a two-week quadruple therapy that includes bismuth. At the same time, one should avoid overeating and focus on consuming fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and easy-to-digest foods. It is also advisable to quit smoking and drinking alcohol, and avoid drinking strong tea, coffee, etc.
How to treat Helicobacter pylori infection?
Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as a major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even gastric cancer. The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in China is very high, exceeding 50%. It is related to the dietary structure in China, often linked significantly to the practice of sharing dishes during meals, which correlates with China's dietary habits. If someone tests positive for Helicobacter pylori and has symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, such as indigestion, stomach pain, or bloating, then it is necessary to undergo treatment for Helicobacter pylori. The current standard treatment for Helicobacter pylori involves quadruple therapy: a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. This combination of medications is administered over a period of 14 days, representing the standardized treatment for Helicobacter pylori.
Can Helicobacter pylori tests be done during the pregnancy preparation stage?
During the preconception stage, it is possible to test for Helicobacter pylori, but if testing is to be conducted, breath tests should be avoided. This is because breath tests use carbon-14 or carbon-13, which are radioactive, making them unsuitable for women planning pregnancy. At this time, it is also important to weigh the pros and cons. If there are chronic gastric or duodenal ulcers, and the symptoms are quite apparent, it is necessary to conduct tests. It is advisable to postpone pregnancy, address the gastrointestinal diseases first, and then proceed with pregnancy. If there are gastric or duodenal diseases at such time, pregnancy could possibly exacerbate the condition.
Does superficial gastritis infected with Helicobacter pylori need treatment?
Superficial gastritis, after infection with Helicobacter pylori, requires treatment. If not actively symptomatic treated, the condition can worsen and frequently relapse, increasing the risk of malignancy. For superficial gastritis with Helicobacter pylori, initial treatment can involve natural therapies to control and eradicate Helicobacter pylori completely. Subsequently, based on individual clinical symptoms, treatment should focus on chronic superficial gastritis. Regular maintenance primarily involves being cautious with diet, avoiding spicy foods, and refraining from consuming food that is too cold, too sweet, too hard, or too acidic, as well as overly stimulating foods.