{"id":3686,"date":"2019-02-04T08:09:53","date_gmt":"2019-02-04T08:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3686"},"modified":"2021-05-03T16:52:42","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T16:52:42","slug":"15-causes-of-h-pylori","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-causes-of-h-pylori\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Causes of H Pylori"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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H. Pylori or the Helicobacter pylori infection is caused by bacteria with the same name. This bacteria infects the stomach<\/a>. Most of the time the people who are infected by H. Pylori are children. In fact, the H. Pylori infection is likely present in over half of the people throughout the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people do not realize that they have this infection because it never causes them to become ill. It is not well known the exact way that the H. Pylori bacteria infects a person. It could be passed from a person to another person through direct contact with fecal matter, vomit, or saliva. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may also be spread in food or water that has been contaminated. If you have the infection it can easily be treated using antibiotics. While it is not known how the bacteria is spread, there are a few known causes for this bacterial infection. Here are 8 causes of H. Pylori. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Living Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is thought that certain living conditions may cause H pylori infections to occur. A person who lives in a home with many other people is more at risk for developing this type of infection. The reasons for this vary, but it is likely because sharing a small space with a lot of people can lead to sharing the bacteria back and forth. Some people in the household may experience symptoms of the condition and others may not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chances are high that everyone who is living in the home actually has the bacteria and it has spread to each person individually. It is important to note that this infection causes the most issues among childhood as most of the people who are infected with it are infected when they are children. Treatment <\/a>involves antibiotics and this typically will cure the issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Water Supply<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another probable cause of H Pylori infection is not having reliable access to clean water<\/a>. People who live in areas that have a supply of clean and running water have a lower risk of developing the H. Pylori infection. It is quite likely that this bacteria is found in dirty water supplies. Not having access to clean water can cause all types of health issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people take for granted having access to clean water. There are many areas in the world that do not have this luxury. When water is not properly filtered it may contain all types of bacteria. This includes H. Pylori. When bacteria enter the body it can cause an imbalance in the system. This imbalance between good and bad bacteria is what makes us feel ill. A person with a healthy immune system will be able to easily fight off this bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Developing Countries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who live in developing countries are more likely to develop H. Pylori infections. The reason for this is because often times developing countries are very crowded. The living conditions in these countries are also often more unsanitary. Living in conditions that are not sanitary can increase the risk of developing an H. Pylori infection. Being near dirt, grime, and human waste can cause this infection to spread.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes down to it, this type of bacterial infection <\/a>occurs most often in conditions that are not sanitary. These types of conditions give the bacteria a place to grow and possibly spread. While it is not clear about how exactly H. pylori bacteria and infections are spread, there is evidence that shows that unsanitary living conditions increase the risk of developing this type of infection. Washing hands and staying clean are good ways to prevent infections that are caused by the H. Pylori bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Partner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you live with a person who has the H. Pylori infection, the chances of you getting it are much higher. The reason for this is that it is thought that the H. Pylori bacteria is spread through human contact. Saliva and feces are two of the common ways that this bacteria is spread. A person who is in close contact with another person who has been infected by this bacteria will likely develop the infection as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, one person may develop symptoms <\/a>of the infection while the other does not. If you are living with someone who has H. Pylori infection it might be a good idea to start antibiotics along with them so that the infection does not get worse or cause any symptoms in you as well. Probiotics can also help add good bacteria back into your gut and digestive system, which can counteract the symptoms of an H. Pylori infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While age <\/a>is not necessarily a cause of H. Pylori infection, it is a factor that should be considered. In addition, the age at which a person is infected influences the risk of how the disease affects them. A person who is infected when they are younger has a greater risk of developing atrophic gastritis. This occurs when the lining in the stomach develops scars. This is also referred to as fibrosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a person has scarring in the lining of the stomach it increases their risk of developing cancer and gastric ulcers. In contrast, a person who is older and develops an H. pylori infection will likely develop a duodenal ulcer. The symptoms of H. pylori infections are quite similar no matter what age a person is. Most commonly, a person will develop the H pylori infection during childhood. However, this does not mean that older people will not develop the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Certain Foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The way that foods are prepared is very important. You do not want to eat anything that was prepared in a kitchen that is not sanitary. There is a chance that one cause of a person becoming infected with H Pylori is by eating food that has not been properly cleaned and is not cooked in a way that it safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are cooking it is important to make sure that you properly clean not only the food that you are going to prepare but also the surface that you are going to prepare your food on. If food is not cleaned and cooked in a way that is safe it can spread all types of diseases and may cause health <\/a>issues. Food that is not properly cooked may be a cause of a person being infected with the H pylori infection as this bacteria can easily be spread in unsanitary conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Race or Ethnicity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is nothing a person can do to control their race or their ethnicity. For this reason, your race or ethnicity should not necessarily be looked at as a cause for developing the H pylori infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, statistics show that nearly half of African Americans are infected with this bacteria. At least half of the Latinos who come to the United States from a developing country are infected with the bacteria<\/a>. In addition, around half of the people who travel to the United States from Eastern Europe have it as well. \u00a0The reason for this is not well known. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some of the reasons that a person coming to the United States from a developing country may have this infection is because of the conditions that they were living in while in their home country. Once again, the H Pylori bacteria is quite common and many people have it, just not everyone shows symptoms of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Contagion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

H pylori is a bacteria that is microaerophilic. This means that it does not need very much oxygen in order to survive. This bacteria is contagious, but how exactly it spreads is not very well known. Current evidence shows that it is mostly transmitted through the direct exchange of saliva<\/a>, such as through kissing. It can also be spread through a fecal-oral route. This may be through contact with unsanitized surfaces or hands or drinking water that has been contaminated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

H pylori infections in western Europe and North America are much lower than the rates in South America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. In North American and western Europe only about a third of the population is infected. In South America, Asia, and eastern Europe the rate of infection is much higher at well over fifty percent. Washing your hands frequently is one of the best ways to avoid becoming infected by this bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Weakened Immune System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In order to contract an H. Pylori infection, it is not only necessary that you come into contact with someone or something carrying the bacteria, but also that the bacteria are able to transfer to you and cause the infection. In other words, if your immune system<\/a> is healthy enough to fend off the infection, then you aren\u2019t going to get sick! Thus, one of the necessary \u2018causes\u2019 of any bacterial infection is that the immune system is weak enough in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several reasons that this could be the case, but one of those is that you might be ill already. If you are highly stressed, then this can also lead to a compromised immune system as your body directs more blood and oxygen to the brain and muscles \u2013 believing you to be in immediate danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Antibiotics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Antibiotics <\/a>believe it or not can actually increase your chances of getting ill \u2013 though this is not yet fully understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, antibiotics are used as the first line of defense against infections like H. Pylori and in that regard, they are highly effective. They work by killing off bacteria that live in the gut, which includes H. Pylori. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is that antibiotics also <\/em>kill off the good bacteria. Not all bacteria are bad for us, and in fact, we rely on our \u2018gut flora\u2019 for a great many things \u2013 including digestion, moderating our mood, and even helping to combat germs. When you remove this good bacteria, it effectively leaves your gut unguarded and thereby easy pickings for the bad kinds of bugs. While you should still use antibiotics as directed by your physician, just be aware that you will be a little compromised for a time afterward and you should seek to boost your gut flora through the right diet if you can.
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11. Hygiene Practices<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of course, another thing that can either improve or worsen your odds of avoiding H. Pylori is your general approach to hygiene<\/a>. If you are very careful to wash your hands regularly, to avoid touching surfaces and then touching your face, and to avoid putting things near your mouth, then you can reduce your chances of contracting the condition (which of course is not to say that every case could have been avoided!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

H. Pylori thrives within the confines of the stomach, but it can also survive outside of the body for a few hours. Therefore, if someone should sneeze on a surface, you then touch that surface within a few hours, and you then touch your face: you could potentially transfer the bacteria via your saliva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to be extra careful when washing and particularly when handling food, or putting anything near your face. And remember that those around you need to consider their hygiene too \u2013 putting a hand in front when sneezing for instance.
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12. Travel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve talked about the effect of the environment <\/a>on H. Pylori transmission. We\u2019ve seen, for example, that living in a place that is densely populated can increase your chances of contracting the illness. Likewise, areas with poor sanitation or unclean drinking water also encourage the spread of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what this also means, is that you can contract H. Pylori through travel. If you visit a country where many of these factors come into play, then you will be more at risk of picking up the bacteria during your visit. Keep this in mind and be sure to be extra vigilant with your hygiene.
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13. Other Infections<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve already discussed how having a compromised immune system can increase your chances of picking up H. Pylori. Likewise, so too can have another type of infection which can, in turn, lead to an H. Pylori infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have another underlying condition, then this could lead you more susceptible to future illness and infection because your immune system is too busy fighting that issue. This is why you will occasionally see people suffering from a \u2018string\u2019 of infections one after the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that if you are being treated with antibiotics for the one infection<\/a>, this may also help with the H. Pylori \u2013 but keep in mind that different types of antibiotics work better with different types of bacteria.
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14. Public Toilets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Public toilets can be a place where H. Pylori is particularly likely to spread. This is due to the fact that the bacteria often travel through fecal matter. Remember: this is an infection that affects the stomach<\/a>, and that means it is likely to travel outward as well! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public toilet provides many risk factors then that increase the likelihood of this bacteria spreading: from the large numbers of people coming and going to the feces, to the potential for surfaces being touched by lots of those same people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know in fact that when you flush the toilet, millions of tiny droplets of feces enter the atmosphere? And did you know that when you smell that bad odor, you are actually inhaling <\/em>these tiny particles? So yes, it\u2019s no surprise that this condition often spreads through public toilets. There\u2019s only so much you can do about this, but just try to practice good hygiene by washing your hands, wiping down surfaces, and being careful about touching your face.
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15. Food Preparation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Food preparation is another area where it is common for these bacteria to spread. This is partly because people will be touching food with their hands and potentially transferring saliva if they should cough or sneeze. At the same time though, it can also be due to the water. If you are traveling abroad and attempting to avoid the water there in order to prevent bacterial infection, then you might be dismayed to learn that many chefs in those restaurants will wash your salad <\/a>and even make ice cream using that same water!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to avoid this is to boil the water and to make sure that good hygiene is practiced in the kitchen at all times. Of course, this is down to the staff though, so choose your venues carefully!

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