Helicobacter Pylori

H. pylori is a bacterium that burrows itself in the stomach lining. The symptoms are burning pain, bloating, burping and in some individuals it will cause nausea and vomiting. It is the main cause of stomach ulcers and can cause gastritis. The standard cure is treatment with two different antibiotics over a couple of weeks. It may also be eliminated if the person optimizes the acid production.

It has a unique way of adapting in the harsh environment of the stomach.  The stomach is protected from its own gastric juice by a thick layer of mucus that covers the stomach lining. Helicobacter pylori takes advantage of this protection by living in the mucus lining.  The inside of the stomach is bathed in about half a gallon of gastric juice every day. Gastric juice is composed of digestive enzymes and concentrated hydrochloric acid, which can readily tear apart the toughest food or microorganism. Bacteria, viruses, and yesterdays steak dinner are all consumed in this deadly bath of chemicals. It used to be thought that the stomach contained no bacteria and was actually sterile, but Helicobacter pylori changed that.

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