How to Detect H. Pylori: Causes, Symptoms, and Ayurvedic Treatment

What is Helicobacter Pylori?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative spiral-shaped bacterium that infects your stomach, attacks the stomach lining, and leads to several complications if left undetected and untreated. 

"Helico" means spiral. It is named so because of its spiral shape. It can inflame and irritate the inner mucosal lining of the stomach, leading to gastritis.  If it remains chronic for a longer duration, it eventually turns into a peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastric lymphoma, or gastric carcinoma. In some patients, this infection remains asymptomatic initially, and symptoms like dyspepsia (indigestion), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, etc., develop only after gastritis and peptic ulcers set in.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is mostly seen in children and adolescents compared to adults, but its complications are less often seen in these age groups. Helicobacter pylori is usually acquired in childhood, but long-term persistence without proper medical intervention or care aggravates the condition.

Causes of Helicobacter Pylori and its Transmission Routes 

Transmission of Helicobacter pylori occurs through various routes, including faecal to oral, oral to oral, contaminated water, and food.

For example, coming into contact with the vomit or stool of an infected person. Not washing your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, or spreading saliva from one person to another by kissing. Food and water contaminated with faeces in unhygienic environments are also the breeding ground for this bacterium.

Symptoms of Helicobacter Pylori Infection

A few common symptoms of infection which you should be alert to

• Pain in the abdomen that comes and goes and may worsen while the stomach is empty
• Bloating
• Burping
• No appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss for no clear reason

A Few Warning Signs to Seek Medical Help Right Away

• Dark red (bloody) or black stool
• Dizziness
• Difficulty to breathe
• Sharp & severe stomach pain
• Bloody vomit
• Pale skin

If you have the above warning signs, call your doctor right away for emergency help.

Complications of H.Pylori Infection

If left untreated, it escalates and leads to the following disease conditions

• Gastritis
• Peptic ulcers
• Stomach Cancer
• Internal bleeding
• Perforation
• Peritonitis

Proper medical supervision from the beginning will help you prevent the above complications.

Diagnostic Criteria and  Techniques

Usually, H.Pylori infection remains asymptomatic, but once symptoms set in, it should not be left unnoticed, and you need to get tested for H. pylori at the earliest. There are numerous ways to diagnose an H. pylori infection.

Let us look into a few of the most common diagnostic techniques physicians choose for precise diagnosis.

Prior to diagnostic techniques, a doctor will look into the signs and symptoms and do a thorough physical examination to check the degree of pain, swelling, and tenderness. After a physical examination to confirm the diagnosis, they may suggest any or all of the following techniques based on the necessity and severity.

1. Urea Breath Test: to check the abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the air exhaled 
2. Stool Test: to check for H. pylori antigens
3. Blood Test to check for H. pylori antibodies
4. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests to check for the presence of H. pylori in your stool and for mutations that make the bacteria antibiotic-resistant
5. Endoscopy: This is done only if the results of the other tests are unclear. Endoscopy also gives a deeper insight into the complications of H. pylori, i.e., the extent of ulcers and inflammation in the inner lining of the stomach and intestine.

How Important is Hygiene in preventing H. pylori?

Following strict hygiene is so important to prevent this bacterial attack.

• Avoid eating contaminated food or anything that isn't properly cooked. 
• Avoid eating uncooked or partially cooked egg and meat dishes.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after using the washroom and every time you prepare or eat food.
• Avoid drinking or bathing in water that is contaminated.

Conventional Treatment and Relevance of Ayurvedic Treatment

Many among us have a premonition that infection with H. pylori lasts for life. No, it's not. It is one condition that is easily treated. Even recurrences can be easily prevented and managed by following a strict diet and regimen.   Ayurvedic medicine has a repository of natural supplements and medications specifically designed to fix gut-related issues. Mindful utilisation of these supplements and natural therapies with proper guidance from an expert will definitely help you prevent and manage issues related to H.pylori.

The first and foremost step is to get rid of these unwanted bacteria from the body. This can be effectively done by consuming internal antimicrobial supplements and herbs, as explained by an ayurvedic expert for your body type.

Herbs that Act Against H.Pylori Infection

1. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis):  the slimy pulp in aloe vera soothes the inflamed gut and prevents complications like peritonitis. It can be best taken as juice every morning for immediate relief from the pain and other symptoms of H. pylori infection. It will help you reduce acid reflux, heartburn, sour regurgitation, etc.
2. Neem (Azadirachta indica): Neem is very well known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial activities. This herb is advised in the classical scriptures of Ayurveda to treat intestinal worms and to heal ulcers and wounds in the intestine. All the properties make it the best herb of choice to treat H. pylori infection. Oral intake is a bit challenging because of its extremely bitter taste. It can be made into a paste and consumed with honey to taste better.
3. Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Its anti-inflammatory effect plays a beneficial role in treating H. pylori by reducing inflammation. It prevents the inflammation from becoming a peptic ulcer, peritonitis, etc. Try consuming liquorice as a tea or latte.
4. Indian gooseberry (Emblica Officinalis): This fruit is usually employed in treating gastritis, acidity, and other digestive disorders as a single herb medicament as well as an ingredient in polyherbal medication. It can also be consumed as a juice similar to aloe vera juice.
5. Ginger (Zingiber Officinale): Gingerol is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound present in ginger that helps to treat inflammation and indigestion. You can consume fresh juice squeezed out of ginger (5-10 ml), which can be added to a glass of gooseberry juice to relieve the symptoms of H. pylori.
6. Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Numerous health benefits of turmeric are known, as it is the most studied herb in the world. Its antibacterial property helps to reduce the H. pylori population in the gut. Its anti-inflammatory property helps to soothe the inflamed gut and reduce inflammation. The best way to consume turmeric is to take it as turmeric milk (golden milk).
7. Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum): Cardamom in powder form, as a garnish to aloe vera juice or in any other form consumed internally, effectively reduces gastritis.
8. Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare):  Alleviate gastritis by promoting indigestion. It can be consumed just like cardamom.
9. Coconut water (Cocos nucifera): Coconut water is the most natural soothing drink to consume internally. Its daily consumption makes you feel relieved from heartburn and hyperacidity associated with H. pylori attacks.

Not just these herbs, but there are many remedies that can reduce the H. pylori infection and its associated symptoms.

Most of you may be aware that ayurvedic remedies are primarily polyherbal formulations. It is always a combination of herbs that are effective for a particular disease condition, plus digestive stimulant drugs. So all medicines, in some or other way, enhance digestion and metabolism.

Ayurvedic medicines mainly contain the above-mentioned herbs and many more. The symptoms of H. pylori infection are so similar to the manifestations of Amla pitta, a disease condition with strikingly similar features of gastroritis and hyperacidity. So an Ayurvedic physician always follows a treatment protocol similar to that of Amla pitta. Medicines that are soothing and have cold potency are preferable. Always make sure you consult an Ayurvedic physician and follow his/her advice before starting any medications.

There are many therapies, like Picha Basti (enema with slimy medication), to soothe the inflamed intestine.

Not just internal medications and external therapies, diet also plays a very important role in managing and subsiding H. pylori infection.

Diet for Those Experiencing H. pylori Infection

• Try to include as many slimy veggies as lady's fingers and aloe vera into your diet, as it helps in rebuilding the mucosal lining of the gut.
• Try to avoid beverages, extremely hot drinks, and caffeinated drinks in your diet.
• Include drinks like coconut water and cool milk, which soothe the inflamed gut lining.
• Reduce spicy, salty, sour, and acidic foods.

Wrapping Up

In the journey to prevent H. pylori infection, the first and foremost thing is to maintain cleanliness in what you drink, eat, and cook.

If the journey is to manage and subside the suffering due to H. pylori, a proper diet and regimen are equally important to medicines. Never speculate; it's incurable; we are here to lend a hand in your journey to recovery.