We often listen to our gut to make some important health-related decisions. One of the most important organs that make up the gastrointestinal system is the stomach, which plays an important role in maintaining the delicate balance of intestinal health. Specifically, it helps in absorbing nutrients by starting the complex process of breaking down food.
Common stomach infections can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as mild or severe pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. But the question is, how often do we go to the doctor to get the right diagnosis? While many bacterial infections can affect intestinal health, H. pylori is the most common human bacterial infection, affecting approximately 4.4 billion people worldwide.
Dr. Nidhi Loomba, Medical Affairs Director, India, Abbott's Rapid Diagnostics Business, said that protecting people's digestive and gastrointestinal health is important for their overall health. Recognizing the signs of infection early and getting diagnosed immediately can help people recover faster. There are simple and rapid point-of-care tests available that can help detect infection early so that your doctor can recommend an appropriate treatment plan or lifestyle changes.
Dr. Rajesh Upadhyay, senior director and chairman of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Max Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi, said that about 80% of the population in India is infected with H. pylori. If undetected and untreated, this bacterial infection can affect overall health and often requires treatment, exercise, diet changes, and even stress control. In addition to causing bothersome symptoms, H. pylori can also lead to other health problems that are important to prevent or address. Early detection is important to help people identify this infection quickly, so they can get the right treatment and take better care of themselves.
How does stomach infection occur?
Most patients infected with H. pylori do not have symptoms, but in some cases, the infection may cause painful sores or ulcers in the stomach lining (gastritis), redness or swelling, or experience indigestion. In long-term cases, it may also increase the risk of various types of stomach cancer. This infection is found in 50% to 65% of Indian patients with gastric ulcers and 42% to 75% of patients with gastric cancer. Additionally, weakening the lining protecting the stomach, can make it more sensitive to the effects of stress and other factors.
Who is at greater risk?
A bacteria called H. pylori usually infects children in the first 10 years of their life. However, the diseases caused by it are mostly seen in adults only. This bacterial infection is contagious and often spreads through person-to-person contact or contaminated water or food. Risk factors include crowded or unsanitary living conditions, an unreliable supply of clean running water, and living with or having close contact with a person who has an infection.
