Helicobacter pylori

So what is H pylori and what can you do about it, if you contract this pathogen. Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that is able to burrow into the lining of your stomach and cause many symptoms ranging from upper abdominal pain, nausea, burping, bouts of constipation and diarrhoea and generally unwell symptoms.  It causes bloating in the upper abdominal area under the rib cage on left hand side which makes it very uncomfortable to wear tight clothes. Normally the acidic environment of the stomach is enough to eliminate most harmful micro organisms but as Helicobacter pylori is able to burrow into the stomach wall, it is able to avoid contact with the acidic environment, making it difficult to detect and eradicate.

It is believed that H pylori is common in many communities but as it doesn’t often cause totally debilitating symptoms, it can often go unnoticed.  How you get or contract this bug is often difficult to establish but it is thought to spread from water or food sources. Treatment consists of a number of tablets – antibiotics and Nexium taken 3 times a day for 2 weeks or so.  As H pylori can form ulcers in your stomach which can lead to cancer, it is important to keep on top of it and not let it go untreated. You can get tested for H pylori with a blood test and a follow up -hydrogen breath test – to check that it has been eliminated.

It has been found that by eating certain low fat foods and drinks can help to keep symptoms at bay. Other foods that can help with the symptoms are aloe vera juice and ginger which are both especially good for the stomach. You could also try a green juice of baby spinach leaves and kale together with, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and any other fruit or berries on hand. To make this juice you can buy a bag of baby spinach leaves and one of kale and just put it straight into the freezer and pull out when needed; put it straight into the blender together with the other ingredients. Pineapple and pomegranate juice are also good.

Another thing to remember that after this treatment for H.pylori of having these heavy duty antibiotics it is essential to build up your natural flora or bacteria in the gut, by taking probiotics, as they will have all been killed off.