H-Pylori: What It Is & What It Does
What It Is:
Helicobacter Pylori is a helix shaped (Helico) bacteria (bacter). It is gram negative, meaning a gram stain test will not identify the bacteria, requiring alternative testing. Also, the gram negative outer membrane acts as a barrier, resisting again some immune system defenses as well as some antibiotics. It is believed to be currently residing in 50-60% of the worldwide population, but only maybe 20% experience symptoms from it.
H-PYLORI IS CONTAGIOUS! It can be transferred from human to human contact from kissing or other sexual contact, sharing personal items that contact the mouth, sharing foods or beverages, and possibly other ways still unknown. *It is HIGHLY ADVISED that if you believe or know of yourself or someone else to be infected or having an overgrowth, to take as many precautions as possible to prevent spreading this harmful bacteria.*
What it does:
Once it infiltrates it's human host via the mouth, H-Pylori makes it way to the acidic stomach. It uses its tenticle-like flagella to burrow into the mucus lining, where it is less acidic. It can sense changes in pH, which without treatment, will enable it to not only survive, but multiply and thrive.
Colonization can then neutralize acid in it's environment, by producing large amounts of urease, to break down urea in the stomach to carbon dioxide and ammonia.
Symptoms May Include:
Due to changes in digestion, as well as toxicity from H-Pylori, and also possible vitamin/nutritional deficiencies caused by both, a multitude of symptoms may arise.
Symptoms include but are not limited to:
Acid Reflux
Abdominal Pain
Allergies
Anxiety
Belching/Burping
Back Pain
Balance Problems
Bloating
Body Aches/Cramps
Brain Fog
Chest Pain
Chills
Constipation
Depression
Diarrhea
Difficulty Breathing
Difficulty Swallowing
Digestive Issues/Pain
Dizziness
Esophagitis
Eye/eyesight Issues/Pain
Fatigue
Food Sensitivities (Dairy, eggs, fruit, gluten, nuts)
Gastritis
Headaches/Migraines
Increased Heart Rate
Indigestion
Insomnia
Itching/itchy skin
Joint Pain
Light Sensitivity
Loss of Appetite
Low/High Blood Pressure
Low/High Blood Sugar
Low Stomach Acid
Lymph Node Pain
Menstruation Issues/Cramping
Muscle Twitching/Spasms
Nausea
Ovarial Pain
Ringing Ears (Tinnitus)
Shaking/shivers
Sinus Issues
Throat Irritation/Inflammation
Tongue Discoloration/Issues
Urinary Tract Infections
Vasculitis/Blood Vessel Inflammation
Vomiting
Weakness
Weight Loss
Weight Gain
Yeast Infections