Helicobacter Pylori
A type of bacteria that can cause digestive illnesses, including inflammation and infection of the stomach lining, and peptic ulcer (sores on the lining of the stomach or small intestine). Experts believe that most such infections produce no symptoms, so a child can have an infection without knowing it. When the bacteria do cause symptoms, they are usually either symptoms of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. Scientists suspect that H. pylori infection may be contagious, because the infection seems to run in families and is more common where people live in crowded or unsanitary conditions.
Symptoms
In children, symptoms of gastritis may include nausea, vomiting, and pain in the abdomen, in addition to stomach ulcers. In older children, the most common symptom of stomach ulcers is a gnawing or burning pain in the abdomen, usually in the area below the ribs and above the navel. This pain typically gets worse on an empty stomach and improves with food, milk, or an antacid medicine.
About 20 percent of children with this condition have bleeding ulcers, causing bloody vomit or black, bloody, or tarry stools. Younger children with stomach ulcers may not have symptoms as clear-cut as those of older children, and their illness may be harder to diagnose.
H. Pylori vs. Campylobacter Pylori
H. pylori was once grouped with the Campylobacter species of bacteria, Campylobacter pylori. Medical researchers have now placed H. pylori in its own category, noting its role in causing gastritis, stomach ulcers, and possibly two types of stomach cancer. In industrialized countries, the infection is rare in children, although risk of infection is higher for persons who live in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions.
Diagnosis
Doctors can make the diagnosis of an H. pylori infection by using many different types of tests. They may look at the stomach lining directly with an endoscope, and take samples of the lining to be checked in the laboratory for microscopic signs of infection and for H. pylori bacteria. They may also conduct blood or a breath test.
Treatment
Doctors treat H. pylori infections using antibiotics. Because the bacteria may not be killed with a single antibiotic, a combination of antibiotics may be given. The doctor will probably also prescribe antacid medication and medicine to block production of stomach acid. If a child has symptoms of bleeding from the stomach or small intestine, these symptoms will be treated in a hospital. Over time, with proper treatment H. pylori gastritis and stomach ulcers (especially ulcers in the duodenum, a portion of the small intestine) can often be cured.
H. pylori infection can be cured with antibiotics. The pediatrician may also give antacids or acid suppressing drugs to neutralize or block production of stomach acids. One way to help soothe the abdominal pain of H. pylori infections is by following a regular meal schedule. This means planning meals so that a child’s stomach does not remain empty for long periods. Eating five or six smaller meals each day may be best, followed by some time to rest after each meal. Aspirin, ibuprofen, or anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided because these may irritate the stomach or cause stomach bleeding. If a child vomits blood or has vomit that looks like coffee, a doctor should be called immediately.
Prevention
There is no vaccine against H. pylori. Although research suggests that infection is passed from person to person, scientists do not really know exactly how this happens, so it is difficult to present prevention guidelines. However, it is always important to wash hands thoroughly, eat food that has been properly prepared, and drink water from a safe source.
When to Call the Doctor
Stomachaches are quite common in children, and most are not caused by H. pylori bacteria. Still, a doctor should be consulted if a child has any of the following symptoms:
• severe abdominal pain
• bloody vomit
• bloody, black, or tarry stool
• persistent gnawing/burning pain below the ribs that improves after eating, drinking milk, or taking antacids
Symptoms
In children, symptoms of gastritis may include nausea, vomiting, and pain in the abdomen, in addition to stomach ulcers. In older children, the most common symptom of stomach ulcers is a gnawing or burning pain in the abdomen, usually in the area below the ribs and above the navel. This pain typically gets worse on an empty stomach and improves with food, milk, or an antacid medicine.
About 20 percent of children with this condition have bleeding ulcers, causing bloody vomit or black, bloody, or tarry stools. Younger children with stomach ulcers may not have symptoms as clear-cut as those of older children, and their illness may be harder to diagnose.
H. Pylori vs. Campylobacter Pylori
H. pylori was once grouped with the Campylobacter species of bacteria, Campylobacter pylori. Medical researchers have now placed H. pylori in its own category, noting its role in causing gastritis, stomach ulcers, and possibly two types of stomach cancer. In industrialized countries, the infection is rare in children, although risk of infection is higher for persons who live in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions.
Diagnosis
Doctors can make the diagnosis of an H. pylori infection by using many different types of tests. They may look at the stomach lining directly with an endoscope, and take samples of the lining to be checked in the laboratory for microscopic signs of infection and for H. pylori bacteria. They may also conduct blood or a breath test.
Treatment
Doctors treat H. pylori infections using antibiotics. Because the bacteria may not be killed with a single antibiotic, a combination of antibiotics may be given. The doctor will probably also prescribe antacid medication and medicine to block production of stomach acid. If a child has symptoms of bleeding from the stomach or small intestine, these symptoms will be treated in a hospital. Over time, with proper treatment H. pylori gastritis and stomach ulcers (especially ulcers in the duodenum, a portion of the small intestine) can often be cured.
H. pylori infection can be cured with antibiotics. The pediatrician may also give antacids or acid suppressing drugs to neutralize or block production of stomach acids. One way to help soothe the abdominal pain of H. pylori infections is by following a regular meal schedule. This means planning meals so that a child’s stomach does not remain empty for long periods. Eating five or six smaller meals each day may be best, followed by some time to rest after each meal. Aspirin, ibuprofen, or anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided because these may irritate the stomach or cause stomach bleeding. If a child vomits blood or has vomit that looks like coffee, a doctor should be called immediately.
Prevention
There is no vaccine against H. pylori. Although research suggests that infection is passed from person to person, scientists do not really know exactly how this happens, so it is difficult to present prevention guidelines. However, it is always important to wash hands thoroughly, eat food that has been properly prepared, and drink water from a safe source.
When to Call the Doctor
Stomachaches are quite common in children, and most are not caused by H. pylori bacteria. Still, a doctor should be consulted if a child has any of the following symptoms:
• severe abdominal pain
• bloody vomit
• bloody, black, or tarry stool
• persistent gnawing/burning pain below the ribs that improves after eating, drinking milk, or taking antacids
Tags: Campylobacter Pylori, digestive illnesses, gastritis, Helicobacter Pylori, inflammation and infection of the stomach lining, Peptic Ulcer, type of bacteria
Posted in Health and Wellness
