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Question
| Is there a possible connection
between H. pylori and Rosacea? Is there a connection between
H. pylori and acne? |
| The link between H. pylori and Rosacea is
in dispute at the present time and at least has not been proven. Nevertheless,
it is possible that an organism in the stomach could affect the immune
response and cause a skin rash. For this reason, if nothing else works,
patients with Rosacea may wish to be treated for H. pylori.
Nowadays, blood tests could determine if the bacterium is present
in the stomach. |
| Is there an association between
H. pylori and diabetes and, if so, can the existence of H.
pylori in the gut increase the absorption of sucrose across the
mucosa? |
| Currently this association has not been described.
In patients with diabetes who are vomiting however, it may be worthwhile
to check for H. pylori. The absorption of sucrose across the
mucosa increases, but only by a tiny amount so this would not normally
affect patients with diabetes and H. pylori. |
| Is there any association between
H. pylori and Crohn's Disease? |
| No. However, many doctors believe that Crohn's Disease
is caused by an infection. This is very controversial at present and
clinical trials are being undertaken around the world to see if antibiotic
treatment affects Crohn's disease. |
| Is there a link between H.
pylori and stomach cancer? Is it hereditary? |
| Please read the information
on stomach cancer. Stomach cancer is hereditary but
some of this inheritance may be because H. pylori
is spread around in the family from parents to children. |
| Can H. pylori be the cause
of Colitis in the same way that H. pylori is the cause of stomach
cancers? |
| H. pylori is not known to be the cause of colitis. |
| Besides H. pylori, what
alternative conditions could cause duodenal ulcers? |
| The other cause of ulcer is usually aspirin or arthritis-type
medication. Some people secrete very high levels of acid. Occasionally
viruses can cause shallow ulcers. There are rare conditions, cause
unknown, in which ulcers can develop in the mouth and gastrointestinal
tract. |
| Is there any research trials
being conducted to investigate perforated ulcers and H. pylori? |
| Dr. Dean Jensen at UCLA in California is studying
perforated ulcers. |
| What is the risk of developing
cancer in asymptomatic patients? Should they undergo an endoscopic
examination? |
| About 0.5 to 2.5% of persons with lifelong, untreated
H. pylori will develop stomach cancer. This percentage is higher
in some countries (Japan, Columbia) and lower in others (USA, Australia).
Ethnic factors and diet also play a role. H. pylori positive
persons without symptoms or family history of stomach cancer need
not undergo endoscopy. |
| Has anyone looked into a possible
connection between Graves disease and H. pylori? |
| No. |
| Does H. pylori cause all
three types of stomach-related ulcers: oesophageal, gastric and duodenal?
Does the drug Prilosec cure H. pylori infection? What is the
usual treatment for H. pylori? |
| Stomach and duodenal ulcers are likely to be caused
by H. pylori but it does not cause oesophageal
ulcers. Nearly all ulcers can heal when acid is lowered
so Prilosec (omeprazole) is effective in all kinds of
ulcers. Prilosec (omeprazole) can also inhibit H. pylori
but does not usually cure the infection. Without cure
of H. pylori the problem will recur. The usual
treatment is to have antibiotics for one or two weeks.
Following this you should take another drug, such as Zantac,
for a few weeks, before having a breath test four weeks
after treatment. The breath test will give an accurate
result telling you whether H. pylori has been eradicated.
If you take Prilosec (omeprazole) in the days immediately
before your breath test you may obtain a false reading
- the breath test indicates H. pylori has been
cured when in actual fact the organism is still lurking!
Read the instructions
for the breath test. |
| Is H. pylori connected
to heart disease? |
| At present there is no convincing evidence that H.
pylori is linked to heart disease. Several investigators have
noted that atherosclerosis is more severe or more common in patients
with chronic infections e.g. chlamydia and possibly Helicobacter,
but this has not been confirmed. |
| Is there any correlation between
gastritis and incidence of stomach cancer in India? |
| There is little data coming from India about this
subject, however in India and the Middle East, the relationship between
H. pylori and gastric cancer is less strong than in Asian countries.
Diet probably has a major effect on the expression of cancer risk
from H. pylori. |
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