Symptoms of stomach germs in detail: how to diagnose and prevent them
Did you know that about two-thirds of the world’s population carry stomach germs in their bodies? But most people with it may not have any symptoms or ulcers. Either in the event of the appearance of symptoms, or the occurrence of health problems resulting from them, they become in need of speedy treatment, as neglecting or delaying treatment may lead to severe health complications. So get to know the most important Symptoms of stomach and colon germs and its complications, and the extent to which psychological stress affects the treatment of the condition, and how to prevent it.
What is the germ of the stomach and colon
Stomach germ is an infection of Helicobacter pylori, which affects the stomach and small intestine. In some cases, stomach germ infection may cause peptic ulcers, or what is known as stomach ulcers.
A study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology indicated that between 60% and 100% of peptic ulcers are associated with stomach germs.
H. pylori infection may also increase the risk of gastritis, stomach and colon cancer. This is because the stomach contains a mucous layer that protects it from stomach acid. When the M. pylori bacteria attack that layer, it leaves part of the stomach exposed to acid. This may lead to stomach irritation, thus increasing the risk of infection.
Stomach germs are found all over the world, especially in developing countries, where about 10% of children and 80% of adults are infected, usually without symptoms.
Symptoms of stomach and colon germs
Not all people infected with stomach germs show accompanying symptoms. According to a research issued by the University of Bologna in 2014, about 85% of people infected with Helicobacter pylori do not show any symptoms completely.
As for the appearance of symptoms of stomach germs, they may differ from one person to another, so we will seek to clarify the symptoms of stomach germs in detail, Among the most prominent symptoms of stomach and colon germs:
- Anorexia
- Nausea or vomiting
- burping
- Flatulence
- fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- Stomach pain or burning in the upper abdomen area.
Stomach pain usually occurs when the stomach is empty or in the early hours of the morning, or between meals. You should also consult a doctor immediately if the following symptoms appear:
- Difficulty swallowing
- bloody vomiting
- breathing difficulties
- A sharp pain in the abdomen
- Bloody stools or black stools
The danger of stomach and colon germs
Possible complications of H. pylori infection symptoms, as a result of a delay in receiving timely treatment, include:
- Ulcers: Which may occur as a result of bacteria damaging the stomach lining, knowing that about 10% of people infected with Helicobacter pylori infection may develop ulcers in the lining of the stomach, or the upper part of the small intestine.
- Inflammation of the stomach and intestines: Complications of MRSA symptoms may be irritation and gastritis. Pylori infection may cause clear changes in the composition of bacteria in the large intestine or colon, which affects the development of ulcerative colitis.
- Internal bleeding: This condition occurs when the ulcer penetrates the blood vessels, and is associated with anemia.
- stomach cancer: Stomach germ infection increases the risk of some types of stomach cancer, such as gastric adenocarcinoma.
As researchers have seen in recent years, there may be a possible role for stomach germ infection in the development of many diseases such as colon cancer, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, biliary tract cancer, psoriasis, and chronic urticaria (chronic urticaria).
Symptoms of psychological stomach germ
A number of studies have shown that there is a link between stomach germs and diseases outside the stomach, such as some symptoms of functional indigestion. It has also been scientifically proven that strains of Helicobacter pylori may affect the secretion of many hormones in the body.
This explains the possibility of psychological disorders for patients with gastroenteritis and functional indigestion, as a result of the changing levels of hormones resulting from the colonization of H. pylori bacteria of the stomach.
Do stomach germs and colon cause depression?
pylori infection causes changes in the levels of dopamine, ghrelin, cortisol, and other hormones in the circulatory system, which may lead to the emergence of some psychological symptoms such as:
- Feeling anxious and stressed
- Depression
- Anorexia
This confirms the existence of a relationship between symptoms of stomach germs and psychological tension. On the other hand, another study discussed whether there is a relationship between gastritis caused by bacteria and depression. This is in addition to analyzing the therapeutic effect of antidepressant drugs on relieving symptoms of gastritis.
What prompted the researchers to conduct this study is the complaint of some patients with stomach germs from epigastric pain and indigestion for a period of more than 10 months, and the treatment protocol did not succeed in relieving the symptoms.
And when those cases were re-evaluated, it was found that they were suffering from social changes, which led to a significant impact on the psyche of those cases. This prompted the researchers to add antidepressants to the stomach germ treatment protocol for these cases, and the result was that after one month of treatment, symptoms receded, and patients began to feel a significant improvement.
Symptoms of stomach germs in children
Some children may suffer from stomach germ symptoms, which may include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and older children may develop peptic ulcers, whose pain increases when the stomach is empty, and symptoms begin to improve with drinking milk or eating foods or antacid medicines. .
Children may develop bloody ulcers, which may cause bloody vomit or black or bloody stools. However, these symptoms may not be evident in younger children, which makes diagnosing their disease more difficult.
Is there a relationship between stomach germs and GERD?
There are a limited number of studies available on the extent of the relationship of stomach germs to GERD, but one study, which was conducted at Sakarya Newcity Hospital in 2006, concluded that stomach germ infection appeared in many patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD. It was also found to be a causative agent for the development of peptic ulcers.
Despite some evidence indicating the potential role of stomach germ infection in aggravating GERD symptoms, there is still controversy about the extent of the relationship between stomach germ infection and GERD.
Causes of stomach and colon germs
It has not yet been determined how the stomach germ is transmitted from one person to another, but researchers suggest that H. pylori is usually transmitted directly from one person to another through the following:
- Direct transmission from mouth to mouth
- Touching unsanitary surfaces
- Contaminated food and water
When a person is exposed to Helicobacter pylori infection, it enters the mucous layer of the stomach, in order to stick to the lining of the stomach, which causes an increase in the production of stomach acid, which leads to the injury of some people with stomach ulcers or inflammation of the stomach and small intestine.
Stomach and colon germ analysis
Receiving treatment quickly when symptoms of stomach germs appear may help reduce the damage that may be caused by H. pylori bacteria. The use of antibiotics is the primary treatment, and the most common to eliminate stomach and colon germs. This is in addition to other treatments that the doctor may prescribe.
In order to treat stomach germs, a diagnosis is made first, and tests are requested to detect the presence of bacteria. Through the following:
- blood tests
- Stool tests
- Breath test
If infection is confirmed, doctors usually treat the patient with a combination of antibiotics. Usually using a mixture of two different types of antibiotics, as the use of one type may not be sufficient, due to the resistance of some types of bacteria to some antibiotics.
Stomach ulcer analysis
In the event of suspected stomach ulcers or gastritis, it is Diagnosis is made by the following tests:
Stomach and colon germ treatment
And upon confirmation of the presence of stomach ulcers, the affected person is treated with a group of medicines prescribed by the attending physician, Among the medicines for treating stomach germs are:
- Use antibiotics to kill the germ
- Use of proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid
- Using medicines that help heal stomach ulcers
Despite the availability of multiple treatment regimens for the treatment of stomach and colon germs and their symptoms, it becomes difficult to determine the optimal treatment regimen.
As for patients with germs who do not recover after one course of treatment, the doctor may recommend using a different group of drugs as an alternative treatment regimen, while avoiding previously used antibiotics if possible.
It also becomes better to test for sensitivity to antibiotics in order to help determine subsequent treatments, especially if the patient has not recovered after two courses of treatment.
How to prevent stomach germs
After learning about the symptoms of stomach germs in detail, their seriousness, and how to treat them. You should know that there is no specific way to prevent stomach and colon germs, but it is always recommended that you follow some simple procedures in order to reduce the risk of infection, Among those procedures:
- Regularly washing hands before eating and after using the toilet
- Eat sure foods that are well prepared
- Organizing meals during the day
- Make sure to drink clean water
- stop smoking
- Avoid being in crowded places
- Avoid direct contact with a person infected with stomach germs
Common questions about stomach germs and colon
How dangerous is stomach germs?
According to the blood test results, if the IgM is less than 30 units/ml, the result becomes negative, but if the results are higher than 40 units/ml, the result becomes positive. While if the IgG ratio is less than 0.75, the result becomes negative, but if it is higher than 1, the result becomes positive.
Is dizziness a symptom of stomach and colon germs
Dizziness or lightheadedness is a symptom associated with many gastrointestinal and non-intestinal infections. Therefore, symptoms of stomach and colon germs may include dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
What are the side effects of gastroenteritis treatment?
Some people may suffer from the appearance of some side effects of the drugs on the functions of the digestive system, such as feeling nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps, when starting treatment.
What is the most accurate analysis of stomach germs?
Blood sample analysis helps detect the presence of an active or previous H. pylori infection in the body. However, breath tests and stool analysis are more accurate for detecting active H. pylori than a blood test.
Is stomach germ fattening?
The relationship between H. pylori and weight gain is still not clear. However, one systematic review indicated an increase in biomarkers associated with weight gain after gastrectomy. Some studies have also found that the infection is more common in people who are obese or have a poor metabolism.
Does stomach germ cause thinness?
H. pylori may have a limited effect on weight loss, and it may also have a limited effect on weight gain. Some studies have indicated that the infection is linked to weight loss, as a result of the infection’s effect on the hormone ghrelin and leptin levels, which may protect the patient from eating a large amount of calories.
What are the symptoms of stomach germs in the stool?
Pylori infection may lead to burning pain in the abdomen, and the pain may get worse when the stomach is empty. A symptom of infection may also be bloody or black tarry stools, which necessitates a visit to the doctor.