Bloating, Indigestion, Fullness
Frequent Burping, Stomach Pain
Heartburn, Difficulty Swallowing
Gas in the Stomach, Pain when Hungry, Pain when Full
Fatigue
If you are experiencing the above symptoms, it means you might be dealing with symptoms of gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease, which are popular among office workers nowadays! If left untreated, it could lead to more serious risks unknowingly!
Office workers are well aware that adjusting eating habits can reduce the symptoms of gastritis, such as eating meals on time, quitting smoking, or avoiding alcoholic beverages, being careful with regular medications like NSAIDs such as aspirin, arthritis medications, and combination pills, etc., as well as reducing stress, which can help alleviate the symptoms significantly.
However, what most people might not know is that another important cause of gastritis and acid reflux is a bacterial infection called “Helicobacter Pylori” or simply H. Pylori.
Helicobacter Pylori is a bacteria that lives on the lining of the human stomach. This bacteria was reported as early as 1893. It increases acid production in the stomach by releasing the hormone gastrin, stimulating the secretion of digestive juices, leading to gastritis, acid reflux diseases, and potentially causing “stomach cancer” eventually.
Transmission
Current studies have not clearly identified the cause of H. Pylori infection, but it is assumed to occur through ingesting contaminated food and water, like unclean food and water, undercooked or raw food.
Most people infected with this bacteria usually have no symptoms, with only 20% showing symptoms (chronic gastritis pain, epigastric pain, heartburn, excessive gas).
10% of those infected with this bacteria develop stomach ulcers.
1-3% of those infected develop gastric cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma.
Doctors often recommend early detection of this bacterial infection for early treatment because the sooner the bacteria is detected, the easier the treatment, which involves taking antibiotics with stomach medication as prescribed by a physician, saving time, costs, and reducing the risk of other serious diseases.
If H. Pylori can occur in all genders and ages, how can we know if we are at risk and should seek testing for this harmful bacteria?
- Enjoy eating raw or inadequately heated foods.
- Lesions indicate gastritis, especially peptic disease not responding to medication, including acid reflux.
- Lesions indicate ulcers in the stomach or upper small intestine.
- It is necessary to take aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), commonly called “arthritis painkillers” or “anti-inflammatory drugs” for long periods.
- There is a family history of gastric cancer.
If untreated early, what diseases could H. Pylori lead to?
- Gastritis
- Stomach and upper small intestine ulcers
- Gastric cancer: those with H. Pylori in the stomach have double the risk of adenocarcinoma gastric cancer.
- Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the stomach.
- Other diseases outside the stomach such as anemia due to iron deficiency / Vitamin B12 deficiency / Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) which is an autoimmune disease that destroys its own tissue.
How can H. Pylori be tested?
- Breath test and urease measurement* (Urea Breath Test) with a sensitivity of 88-95%
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy urease test.
- Stool test* (Stool Antigen Assay) with a sensitivity of 85-95%
- Blood test (Serology Test) with a sensitivity of 70-90%
With best regards from
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department
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