A common bacterium that causes stomach problems is Helicobacter pylori.
H. pylori is a spiral-shaped, micro aerobic, very demanding bacteria that lives in various regions of the stomach and duodenum. It produces a variety of enzymes, including urease, protease, peroxidase and esterase, as well as a number of other virulence factors, causing inflammatory damage to the mucosa and disrupting the balance between proliferation and apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells.
When Helicobacter pylori infection occurs, patients may have symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, loss of appetite, acid reflux and nausea. Gastric diseases such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastric cancer, and duodenal ulcer can be caused by H. pylori infection.
Living in crowded conditions, living with someone who has H. pylori infection, and drinking water that is not clean increase the risk of infection. If H. pylori infection has been detected during a checkup, it is recommended that it be treated as soon as possible under a doctor’s supervision to avoid related diseases and complications.