In our daily life, there is such a seemingly inconspicuous little thing, but it may be the invisible killer that causes stomach cancer - Helicobacter pylori.
To be honest, stomach pain, stomach bloating, and unpleasant eating may all be caused by it. What's even more terrifying is that it is also inextricably linked to stomach cancer. Today, let's talk about how annoying this uninvited guest in the stomach is, and how to get rid of it.
1. The close relationship between Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer
This little thing, which is classified as a class I carcinogen by the World Health Organization, hides on the mucous membrane of your stomach and mine, silently destroying the stomach defense line.
You don't look at it small, but it can tolerate acid and alkali in the stomach, like a naughty child, playing under the noses of adults, and doing a little damage from time to time.
It is like this, while swimming in stomach acid, it does not forget to release some toxins to damage the gastric mucosa, and over time, the gastric mucosa becomes more and more fragile as if it is being eaten.
And, don't underestimate the destructive power of this little thing. It has data as a backing, half of the people in China are infected with it, but among the people who get stomach cancer, it is related to it.
It's not a scare, it's true that studies have shown that people infected with Helicobacter pylori have a much higher risk of stomach cancer. So, if you feel sick to your stomach, don't be careless, maybe this little guy is messing around inside.
2. Diagnosis and familial transmission characteristics of Helicobacter pylori infection
When it comes to Helicobacter pylori infection, it is really a difficult scripture for every family to read. This product is highly contagious, and it especially likes to be passed down in the family, just like a family treasure, passed down from generation to generation.
You see, sometimes, if someone in a family tests positive for a breath test, you have to be careful, and it's likely that someone else is also infected. This breath test, in simple terms, is to test whether there are traces of it in your exhaled breath, and a positive test means that you have this uninvited guest in your stomach.
And this kind of family transmission, sometimes even you don't know how to get it. Maybe it's because everyone uses the same set of utensils, or the elders feed the children, and accidentally pass it on to the next generation.
So, if someone in the family is recruited, then you have to check it quickly, don't let this little thing settle down at home.
3. The survival mechanism of Helicobacter pylori and its destruction of the gastric mucosa
Helicobacter pylori is a creature, its survival ability is really not covered. You know, the acidic environment in the stomach is a nightmare for most microbes, but for H. pylori, it's like a warm home.
Not only can it survive in this acidic environment, but it can also reproduce. This is due to the fact that it produces something called urease, which breaks down urea in the stomach into ammonia, which neutralizes stomach acid, so that Helicobacter pylori can swim in the stomach.
But it doesn't just stay in the stomach, it also swims around the stomach mucosa, using its tail (flagella) to scratch around the mucosal surface. In this way, the gastric mucosa seems to be constantly wiped, and over time, it will be damaged and inflammation will form.
Not to mention, it also releases some toxins, such as mycotoxins, which directly damage the cells of the gastric mucosa, causing inflammation, and over time, the self-repair ability of the gastric mucosa decreases, and chronic inflammation will gradually evolve into ulcers and even stomach cancer.
Studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the key factors leading to chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers and even gastric cancer. Therefore, understanding its survival mechanism is of vital significance for the prevention and treatment of gastric diseases, especially gastric cancer.
4. Common symptoms and early identification of Helicobacter pylori infection
Helicobacter pylori is not trivial, but it is particularly hidden. A lot of people are infected with this thing, and there are no obvious symptoms at the beginning, which makes it difficult to prevent.
However, as the infection deepens, some symptoms slowly emerge. For example, you may experience stomach discomfort, such as stomach pain, bloating, especially after eating.
Sometimes, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, or even a feeling of fullness after eating, which may be the cause of H. pylori. In addition to these, there is another symptom that many people will ignore - bad breath.
If you find yourself brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth well enough, but your bad breath is still bothering you, you may have to consider whether there is H. pylori in your stomach.
Additionally, if you notice that your stool is darker in color, it may be due to stomach bleeding, which is also a warning sign of H. pylori infection.
Early recognition of H. pylori infection is important because the consequences can be greatly reduced with early treatment. If you have any of the above symptoms, especially if someone in your family has had a history of Helicobacter pylori infection or stomach problems, it is best to go to the hospital for a check-up.
Your doctor may have you do a breath test, a gastroscopy or a blood test, which are common ways to diagnose H. pylori infection.
5. Modern medical strategies for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori is a cunning guy, but modern medicine has a well-established strategy to deal with it. Treatment is usually "triple therapy," which is a combination of two antibiotics plus a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).
Such a combination can effectively interfere with the living environment of Helicobacter pylori, and at the same time inhibit its activity from multiple angles, so that it has nowhere to hide.
However, there is also a point in this, because Helicobacter pylori can also develop drug resistance, so doctors will adjust the drug regimen according to the specific situation of the patient and the drug resistance situation in the region.
In addition, modern medical research is still advancing, such as studies exploring the use of vaccines to prevent H. pylori infection, although there is no vaccine on the market, which shows hope for future treatments.
At the same time, researchers are also looking for more drug targets and more precise treatments, such as treatment of biomarkers unique to Helicobacter pylori. These advances open up more possibilities for the future and give us more confidence in the fight against this small enemy.
summary
Helicobacter pylori is a small thing, although small, but a big problem. It's like a time bomb hidden in our body that can trigger serious stomach problems at any time.
With a sensible diet, a healthy lifestyle, and regular medical check-ups, we can minimize the harm of H. pylori. At the same time, we must also keep learning and paying attention to new medical knowledge, because knowledge is power, and it can help us to win this fight.