Treatment of Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacteriosis — is an infectious lesion of the gastric mucosa caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. It is able to exist for a long time in the acidic environment of the stomach, maintaining the inflammatory process and affecting the condition of the mucosa. In some patients, the infection is accompanied by discomfort, pain, or digestive disorders, in others — it may not produce pronounced symptoms for a long time and be detected accidentally during examination.

Without treatment, the bacterium does not disappear on its own and continues to affect the gastric mucosa, increasing the risk of developing gastritis and other diseases. Timely diagnostics makes it possible to confirm the presence of infection and determine how to treat Helicobacter pylori.

The main cause of the development of the disease is infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is able to persist for a long time in the gastric mucosa.

The most common routes of infection:

• contact-household — through dishes, towels, or close household contact;
• oral-oral — during kissing or use of shared hygiene items;
• fecal-oral — through insufficiently clean hands, contaminated water, or food.

After entering the stomach, the bacterium attaches to the mucosa and produces substances that reduce its protective properties. This creates conditions for the development of the inflammatory process.

The risk of infection increases in the presence of the following factors:

• failure to follow hygiene rules;
• consumption of poor-quality or insufficiently processed food;
• weakening of the immune system;
• prolonged contact with a carrier of the infection.

In most cases, infection occurs unnoticed, so a person may not suspect the presence of the infection for a long time.

The intensity of symptoms may vary from mild discomfort to more pronounced manifestations, especially with the development of concomitant stomach diseases. That is why even minor but regular complaints are grounds for examination.

To confirm Helicobacter pylori infection, a comprehensive examination is required. Most often, at the initial stage, the following are prescribed:

• breath test — allows active Helicobacter pylori infection to be detected by the products of bacterial activity;
• stool test — detects bacterial antigens and is also used for monitoring after treatment;
• blood test — helps assess the Helicobacter pylori indicator and the fact of contact with the infection.

If symptoms persist for a long time and there is suspicion of gastritis or other diseases, it is recommended to undergo gastroscopy. During this examination, the doctor may:

• assess the condition of the gastric mucosa;
• detect inflammation, erosions, or other pathological changes;
• take a small fragment of the mucosa (a biopsy), which is used for the urease test and histological examination, which makes it possible to accurately confirm the presence of the bacterium and assess changes in the mucosa.

This approach makes it possible not only to detect the infection, but also to understand how much it has affected the condition of the stomach, which is important for choosing further treatment.

The basis of therapy is the eradication of Helicobacter pylori — the complete destruction of the bacterium in the gastric mucosa. This makes it possible to eliminate the cause of inflammation, reduce symptoms, and lower the risk of developing gastritis and other complications.

Treatment is carried out according to standard regimens that include a combination of several drugs. Most often, the following are prescribed:

• antibacterial drugs — are used in combination for effective eradication of Helicobacter;
• proton pump inhibitors — reduce stomach acidity and increase the effectiveness of antibacterial therapy;
• bismuth preparations (when indicated) — additionally affect the bacterium and protect the mucosa.

The course of treatment usually lasts 10–14 days, but the regimen may change depending on the clinical situation. It is important to follow the prescriptions completely, even if the condition improved earlier, since eradication of helicobacter pylori is possible only if the full course of therapy is completed. Independent replacement of drugs or interruption of the course may reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

It is worth noting that treatment of Helicobacter without antibiotics does not provide a stable effect, so antibacterial therapy remains the basis of treatment. After completion of the course, a follow-up examination is carried out to confirm the result. If the bacterium remains, the doctor may change the therapy regimen. This approach ensures effective eradication of Helicobacter infection and reduces the risk of recurrence of the disease.

In some cases, in particular when treating Helicobacter during breastfeeding, the tactics are determined individually, taking into account safety for the mother and child. This makes it possible to choose the optimal time and treatment regimen without unnecessary risks.

In the absence of treatment, Helicobacter infection can maintain the inflammatory process in the gastric mucosa for a long time and lead to its gradual damage.

Possible complications:

• chronic gastritis — prolonged inflammation of the mucosa, which may begin as superficial gastritis and over time progress to deeper lesions;
• peptic ulcer disease of the stomach or duodenum;
• digestive disorders accompanied by discomfort, bloating, and changes in stool;
• deficiency of certain nutrients due to impaired absorption.

In some patients, a prolonged course of the infection may lead to atrophic changes in the gastric mucosa and increase the risk of developing precancerous conditions. That is why it is important to identify the infection in time and carry out treatment in order to reduce the risk of complications.

Even after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori, the gastric mucosa needs time to recover. During this period, some symptoms may persist — abdominal discomfort, flatulence, stool disturbance (constipation or loosening). This is related not to the presence of the bacterium, but to the reaction of the mucosa and microflora to the previous inflammation and the therapy carried out.

During the recovery period, the following is recommended:

• following a gentle diet — if necessary, a diet for Helicobacter is prescribed, which reduces the load on the stomach;
• restoration of the intestinal microflora — the doctor may recommend probiotics;
• repeat examination — is carried out to confirm the absence of the bacterium.

Monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment is usually performed a few weeks after completion of therapy using non-invasive tests, which makes it possible to make sure of the complete elimination of the infection. If symptoms persist or return, an additional examination and consultation with a gastroenterologist may be needed to clarify the cause and further tactics.

The cost of treatment of helicobacteriosis depends on the scope of the examination and the selected therapy regimen. In each case, the treatment plan is selected individually after confirmation of the diagnosis.

You can ознакомиться with the prices for consultations and diagnostic examinations in advance here. At the medical center “Oxford Medical”, all necessary medical services are available — from the initial examination to monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. You can book an appointment at a convenient time by phone or through the online booking form on the website.