H. Pylori are a bacterium that infects the human stomach and duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). It is one of the most common infections found in the human worldwide. It is the bacteria that are strongly linked to the development of stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers and stomach cancer.
Most people who have this infection acquire it during childhood. It is thought that is spread from person to person and can sometimes be found in several members of the same family. The majority of the people with the infection (80%) are without noticeable symptoms. However, those with symptoms usually develop inflammation of the stomach, which leads to ulcers. Once the infection is present, it persists for many years, if not for life.
In most cases, it is detected when an ulcer develops in the small intestine or stomach. Conventional medial therapy usually involves a one-week “triple therapy,” consisting of an acid-blocking medication along with two or three different antibiotics. Even though this therapy is effective, there is increasing concern due to the growing number of infected individuals found to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Frequent (or prolonged) antibiotic therapy also eliminates beneficial bacteria in the gut. Anytime the balance of intestinal organisms is disrupted, harmful organism have an advantage, which can lead to systemic consequences (such as dysregulation of the immune system). This can be avoided by using probiotics during and after the use of antibiotic therapy.