Does superficial gastritis infected with Helicobacter pylori need treatment?

Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 13, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
45sec home-news-image

How many times a year should Helicobacter pylori be tested?

If Helicobacter pylori tests positive, then it is necessary to undergo standardized eradication treatment. A re-examination is needed one month after cessation of the eradication treatment to confirm whether the eradication was successful or the treatment failed. If the patient tests negative for Helicobacter pylori, then there is no need for repeated testing. Therefore, the frequency of testing for Helicobacter pylori within a year needs to be analyzed based on specific circumstances, using different testing methods and frequencies according to different situations. Patients infected with Helicobacter pylori should eat light, easily digestible foods, avoid overeating, and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
55sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
52sec home-news-image

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.

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.