Gastritis: Causes, Consequences, and Prevention

Gastritis is a common condition in daily life, with various causes including bacterial and viral infections. One of the most common bacteria that can lead to gastritis is Helicobacter pylori. Once bacteria grow in the stomach, the entire gastrointestinal tract can be affected, often progressing from acute gastritis to chronic gastritis, causing significant impacts on our work and life. Is Helicobacter pylori infection serious? How can we combat this bacterium?

What is Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped, microaerophilic bacterium that has strict growth requirements. It was first successfully isolated from the gastric mucosal biopsy tissue of patients with chronic active gastritis in 1983 and is currently the only known microorganism species capable of surviving in the human stomach.

What Diseases Can Helicobacter pylori Cause?

Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to gastritis, peptic ulcer, lymphoproliferative gastric lymphoma, and other diseases.

Hazards of Helicobacter pylori

One of the most serious consequences of Helicobacter pylori infection is gastric cancer, which is one of the most common malignancies globally and ranks second among causes of cancer deaths. In China, approximately 160,000 people die from gastric cancer each year.

How to Treat Helicobacter pylori?

Currently, the standard treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection is triple or quadruple therapy, with the quadruple therapy having a satisfactory eradication rate of up to 90%. The quadruple therapy mainly involves the use of proton pump inhibitors and colloidal bismuth agents before meals, along with two antibiotics taken after meals. The antibiotics used for initial treatment should include amoxicillin and metronidazole, while levofloxacin should be avoided. The treatment course typically lasts for 10-14 days, followed by a breath test 4-8 weeks after treatment to confirm eradication.

How to Prevent Gastric Diseases?

1. Avoid overexertion, which can lead to insufficient blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract and imbalances in gastric mucosal secretion.

2. Avoid eating before bedtime, which can affect sleep and stimulate gastric acid secretion, potentially leading to ulcers.

3. Avoid long-term mental stress and anxiety, which can affect the autonomic nervous system through the cerebral cortex, leading to gastrointestinal dysfunction and the occurrence of gastritis and ulcers.

4. Avoid smoking, which can constrict gastric mucosal blood vessels and reduce the synthesis of prostaglandins, a protective factor for the gastric mucosa.

5. Avoid drinking strong tea and coffee, which can stimulate the gastric mucosa, leading to bleeding, secretion dysfunction, and ulcer formation.

6. Chew food thoroughly during meals to aid in digestion and protect the gastric mucosa. Swallowing food without chewing can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

7. Avoid irregular eating habits, as hunger and overeating can both irritate the gastric mucosa and damage the stomach.

8. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, which can cause gastric mucosal inflammation, bleeding, and ulcer formation. Long-term alcohol consumption can also damage the liver and pancreas, further affecting the stomach.

9. Maintain good hygiene practices to prevent Helicobacter pylori infection, which can be transmitted through utensils, toothbrushes, kissing, etc. Using separate utensils and toothbrushes can help prevent the spread of this bacterium and reduce the risk of gastric diseases.

10. Avoid abusing medications, especially those that can irritate the stomach. Long-term use of certain medications can damage the gastric mucosa and lead to gastritis, bleeding, and ulcer formation. Always follow medical advice and use medications with caution.