The Egyptian Society for Blood Transfusion Services
Helicobacter pylori, which is called the stomach germ or the digestive germ, which made Helicobacter pylori the most widespread bacteria in the world, and the World Health Organization has listed it as a carcinogenic bacterium or one of the causes of stomach cancer.
It is strange that the stomach germ invades the duodenum more than the stomach (Stomach).● Is the stomach germ transmitted infection?
H. pylori bacteria may be transmitted from one person to another through an oro-fecal route (oro-fecal route - any fecal contamination transmitted to the mouth through food or unclean hands).
It can also be transmitted by eating vegetables and fruits that have not been washed well, or as a result of bacteria settling in the water supply. It is possible for anyone to develop peptic ulcers at any age, even in the stages of infection.
childhood, but it is more common in middle-aged adults, and the incidence in males is the same as in females.
● Does H. pylori bacteria cause peptic ulcer?
Only 10% of those infected with gastritis develop ulcerative problems in the stomach wall or peptic ulcer, while the remaining majority do not have any symptoms.
● A peptic ulcer is a circular or oval-shaped inflammatory ulcer in the wall of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), which is the most common. The ulcer extends from
Apply a few millimeters to a few centimeters when the lining becomes weak or loses its ability to repair itself causing it to become damaged by burning digestive juices.
● What are the causes of peptic ulcer?
Here are the most important causes that may lead to peptic ulcer:
1. H. pylori infection.
Helicobacter pylori lives in the gastric juices and resists its harsh acidic environment by secreting the enzyme Urease. Pylori bacteria invade the mucous wall of the stomach, which increases its sensitivity and its negative impact on the digestive juices, which in turn leads to active and chronic inflammation.
The infection develops from inflammation of the wall of the stomach or duodenum, to become erosion in one of them, or it may develop into ulcers that could result in severe complications if not treated.
2. Using traditional pain relievers, except for paracetamol, especially before eating.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are a major cause of peptic ulcers.
This is because it has properties that increase the secretion of acid juice and indirectly inhibit the repair mechanisms of the digestive lining, which makes the wall of the stomach or duodenum more sensitive.
And affected by the acidity of the digestive juices.
3. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare cancer that causes excessive secretion of the acidic hormone gastrin. Its symptoms are similar to those of a classic peptic ulcer, except that it does not respond to treatments or acid inhibitors (Antacids).
4. The genetic factor.
There are studies indicating that the genetic factor plays a role in the occurrence of peptic ulcer, especially if it was in childhood.
5. Smoking..
Smoking is not a cause of peptic ulcer, but it is one of the factors that increase the severity and relapse of ulcers
It slows down his recovery and increases the rate of recurrence of ulcers after his recovery.
● Symptoms and signs of peptic ulcer, the symptoms of peptic ulcer differ according to the location of the ulcer, whether it is in the stomach or in the duodenum, and according to the age of the patient. The elderly rarely feel any symptoms.
As for the main symptoms and signs of peptic ulcers, they are pain, usually localized in the epigastric region (upper middle of the abdomen - above the level of the navel), under the sternum (sternum), and it is either in the form of heartburn or a feeling of hunger.