Helcobacter Pylori: An Overview

Helicobacter pylori is an extremely common infection. It is estimated that up to 50% of population worldwide are infected by this organism. Fortunately, its overall infection rate has been in decline in recent years. Helicobacter pylori is thought to be transmitted by the fecal oral route. As a result, individuals from lesser developed countries with poor hygienic condition are more prone to contract this illness. Not surprisingly, Helicobacter pylori is more common in lesser developed countries.
H. pylori requires acid to survive and proliferate. Not surprisingly, it is found primarily in the human stomach. In fact, it is difficult to find this orgianism outside the human body. Once infected, the organism causes chronic and persistent inflammation in the stomach. Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, pre-malignant conditions of the stomach including intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia, as well as even stomach cancer. Studies have shown that there is up to 6 fold increase in the risk of developing stomach cancer in individuals infected with this organism. Fortunately, treatment of Helicobacter pylori appears to reduce this risk.
There are several methods of diagnosing H. pylori. They include serology, blood test that determines the presence of antibody against this particular organism. This test is, however, limited by the fact that the antibody may persist for years even after the organism is eradicated. Thus, blood test is not accurate in diagnosing an acute ongoing infection by Helicobacter pylori. Other tests for presence of this organism may include urea breath test and stool antigen test. We often recommend an upper endoscopy examination, carefully examining the entire lining of the stomach. At the same time, a small sampling or biopsy can be performed to test for Helicobacter pylori either under the microscope or with a special test called CLO test.
The treatment of H. pylori usually involves three medications called Triple Therapy. They include two antibiotics such as Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin, and a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole that suppresses the production of acid in the stomach. When the treatment is administered for a duration of 2 weeks, one can expect up to 80-90% cure rate from this infection.
H. pylori is an extremely common condition that can cause gastritis (inflammation of stomach), ulcer, and even stomach cancer. It is an infection that needs to be eradicated not only to treat gastritis or ulcer, but as a means to prevent the development of stomach cancer.

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Particularities of Obesity Associated With Diabetes

It is good to understand that health is a valuable constituent of human life. However, good health is impossible without correct body care and proper nutrition. If the body is in a suitable shape and is ready to perform various kinds of activities, it instills the necessary self-confidence to the possessor of such a body. However, obese people may experience considerable psychological and physical difficulties because of their condition and health problems. Obesity is a serious disease. Moreover, obesity generates new diseases and therefore makes life of an obese individual painful and sad. Obesity also leads to emotional breakdowns, which are particularly sorrowful consequences of obesity.
Health threats in obesity
Thus, obesity is not only a cosmetic problem, but also a significant health threat. Extremely overweight individuals are at a constant risk to die earlier than persons who are in the normal weight range. The case is that obesity bears strong association with numerous serious illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
Detection of overweight
Scientists have shown that the weight increase of several pounds may double the risk of diabetes development. On the contrary, individuals who are in normal weight range and do not gain weight remain on a safer side from this point of view. Studies carried out in various groups of populations have demonstrated that more than 80 % of people suffering from diabetes are obese or overweight. Thus, the close association between obesity and diabetes is clearly visible. Scientists often use special BMI calc for prompt determination of Body Mass Index and weight categories. At the same time, this useful tool helps detecting possible health risks including the risk of diabetes development.
Diabetes in obese patients
Nowadays, diabetes is considered among the most important diseases diagnosed in obese people. Diabetes significantly reduces the patient's ability to control and regulate the blood glucose. This inability to control blood glucose results in significant metabolic disorders. Diabetes becomes the main cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness, and early death among obese patients. The probability of diabetes development in obese people exceeds two times the likelihood of diabetes among people with normal weight. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed particularly often in obese people. This type of diabetes develops as a result of insufficient insulin production by the body. Doctors also find body cell unresponsiveness to the insulin. Insulin, however, is required for glucose assimilation by the body. Glucose is a particularly important energy source for the living cells of the body. Insulin provides the glucose delivery into the cells from the blood.
How to overcome problems related to diabetes
The probability of diabetes development can be lowered by means of losing weight and exercising. In diabetes, the weight loss and increased physical activity help control the levels of glucose in blood. Increased physical activity may help reduce the intake of medications used for the treatment of diabetes. Moreover, weight loss can reduce the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. The health can be improved by losing from 10 to 20 pounds. Therefore, weight reduction can decrease the risks for developing of numerous dangerous conditions such as heart problems, increased blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol levels as well as increased triglyceride concentrations in blood. Consequently, it is good for diabetic patients to take steps towards weight reduction and improve their quality of life.

I can write articles related to many topics. My preferable subjects deal with physiology and medicine. I pay particular attention to the problems of overweight and underweight. I participate in a team activity for constructing special BMI tools such as BMI calc. These tools reveal the risks associated with obesity and anorexia.