Helicobacter Pylori?

Can anyone tell me the symtoms of H. Pylori. I know it's a parasite that lives in the gut, and if you can tell me what the implications of having H. Pylori is that would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, and how does it get in the gut.

What Is Helicobacter Pylori?

A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach or duodenum, which is the beginning of the small intestine. Peptic ulcers are common, with approximately one in every 10 Americans developing an ulcer sometime in his or her life. The main cause of peptic ulcer is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, but some ulcers are caused by long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), like aspirin and ibuprofen.

In a few rare cases, cancerous tumors in the stomach or pancreas can cause ulcers. Peptic ulcers are not caused by spicy food or stress.

What is H. Pylori?

Helicobacter Pylorus (H. Pylori) is a bacteria. Researchers recently discovered that H. pylori causes almost all peptic ulcers, accounting for 80 percent of stomach ulcers and more than 90 percent of duodenal ulcers.

H. Pylori infection is very common in the United States: about 20 percent of people under 40 and half of people over 60 are infected with it. Most infected people, however, do not develop ulcers. Why H. Pylorus doesn鈥檛 cause ulcers in every infected person is unknown.

Researchers are not certain how people become infected with H. Pylori, but they think it may be through food or water. Researchers have found H. Pylori in some infected people's saliva, so the bacteria may also spread through mouth-to-mouth contact, such as kissing.

How does H. pylori cause a peptic ulcer?

H. Pylori weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum, which allows acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. Both the acid and the bacteria irritate the lining and cause a sore, or ulcer.

H. Pylori is able to survive in stomach acid because it secretes enzymes that neutralize the acid. This mechanism allows H. pylon to make its way to the "safe" area-the protective mucous lining. Once there, the bacterium's spiral shape helps it burrow through the mucous lining.

What are the symptoms of an ulcer?

Pain is the most common symptom. The pain usually is a dull, gnawing ache, that comes and goes for several days or weeks and occurs 2 to 3 hours after a meal. It may cause poor appetite, bloating, nausea and vomiting. Some people experience only very mild symptoms or none at all.

H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium found in the stomach, which (along with acid secretion) damages stomach and duodenal tissue, causing inflammation and peptic ulcers.
How does H. pylori cause damage?

It is believed that H. pylori's shape and characteristics cause the damage that leads to ulcers.

Because of their shape and the way they move, the bacteria can penetrate the stomach's protective mucous lining where they produce the enzyme urease, which generates substances that neutralize the stomach's acids. This weakens the stomach's protective mucus, makes the stomach cells more susceptible to the damaging effects of acid and pepsin, and leads to sores or ulcers in the stomach or duodenum (first part of the small intestine).

The bacteria can also attach to stomach cells, further weakening the stomach's defensive mechanisms and producing local inflammation. For reasons not completely understood, H. pylori can also stimulate the stomach to produce more acid.
What are the symptoms of H. pylori-related ulcers?

The following are the most common symptoms of ulcers. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

Soon after being infected with H. pylori, most people develop gastritis - an inflammation of the stomach lining. However, most people will never have symptoms or problems related to the infection. When symptoms are present, they may include:

* dull, gnawing pain, which may:
o occur two to three hours after a meal.
o come and go for several days or weeks.
o occur in the middle of the night when stomach is empty.
o be relieved by eating.
* weight loss
* loss of appetite
* bloating
* burping
* nausea
* vomiting

The symptoms of ulcers may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
What causes an H. pylori infection?

Researchers do not yet know what causes certain people to develop H. pylori-related symptoms or ulcers.

I dont really know how it gets in the gut but i do know that heliobacter pylori is responsible for stomach ulcers and surprisingly, heart disease. It was found to be responsible for many a coronary problem and untreated can cause heart attacks. When patients were treated with antibiotics it cleared their heart problems and/or ulcers.

I had this a while back the first sign was when drinking anything hot it really burned going down even when it was luke warm, the second was i felt as if i had a knot in my gullet and when it was at its worse i had pain going up each side of my face just like when you have drunk white wine, it is a nasty bug and it leaves it mark i'm afraid, i have go a hiatus hernia from it and if not treated in time will give you ulcers worse still stomach cancer