Helicobacter Pylori

Overview

Helicobacter pylori infection is also known to cause peptic ulcer disease, a condition which damages the stomach lining in turn causing ulcers. Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that will reside in the stomach lining and causes exccessive production of gastric acid. The common symptoms of peptic ulcer disease include nausea, vomiting, bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain before meal intake and weight loss. The bacteria is able to protect themselves from the acidic gastric juice by unique mechanism therefore it is hard to eradicate them. There are a few risk factors that will increase the chances of getting peptic ulcer disease for instance drugs (NSAIDs, clopidogrel, and steroids), smoking, excessive alcohol and caffeine intake. The treatment of peptic ulcer disease is to eradicate Helicobacter Pylori bacteria using triple therapy. Triple therapy comprises 2 types of antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin) with a proton pump inhibitor (Lansoprazole) for 1 to 2 weeks. Other drugs that can be used are antacids or alginate preparation which will help to neutralise the acidic effect of gastric juice, stomach lining protective agents such as sucralfate and reduction of acid secretion by using proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocking drugs.