How powerful is the first-class carcinogen that infects half of the Chinese people? Do these 3 things to prevent it

Oops, I had a test today and it said I’m positive for Helicobacter pylori!

What does it mean? Is it contagious? Did I get pawed?

How do you know if you are infected with Helicobacter pylori?

Don’t panic! Let’s take a look first——

Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium that grows on the surface of the gastric mucosa. It is the only bacterium discovered so far that can live in the human stomach for a long time. It can destroy the mucus layer in the stomach, expose the gastric mucosa to gastric acid, and be damaged by gastric acid .

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In addition, Helicobacter pylori can also release some toxins and enzymes that can damage gastric epithelial cells to damage the gastric mucosa and cause chronic gastritis ;

Most people infected with Helicobacter pylori have no symptoms or complications, but almost all of them have chronic active gastritis .

In addition, Helicobacter pylori infection is also the main pathogenic factor of diseases such as gastric ulcer, peptic ulcer, MALT lymphoma and gastric tumor ;

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It is also closely related to the onset of some extra-gastrointestinal diseases such as unexplained iron deficiency anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, etc.!

As early as 1994, Helicobacter pylori was listed as a Class I (definite) carcinogen for human gastric cancer by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the WHO .

Now, it has been confirmed that Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the risk factors for gastric cancer, and the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in the Chinese population is about 50%;

Among gastric cancer patients, about 90% of non-cardia cancer cases are attributed to Helicobacter pylori infection . Both the number of new cases and deaths from gastric cancer in China rank among the top three among malignant tumors in the country.

Therefore, it is recommended that people at high risk of gastric cancer focus on Helicobacter pylori testing !

Attention! People aged 40 or above who meet any of the following criteria are considered to be at high risk of gastric cancer:

● People in areas with a high incidence of gastric cancer

● Helicobacter pylori infection

● Patients with precancerous diseases such as chronic atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastric polyps, residual stomach after surgery, hypertrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, etc.

● First-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients

● Presence of other risk factors for gastric cancer (such as high salt intake, pickled food, smoking, heavy drinking, etc.)

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If you want to know whether you are infected with Helicobacter pylori, you can do a carbon 13 or carbon 14 breath test . It can be done by blowing out a breath. It is simple and effective. By detecting the level of exhaled carbon dioxide, it can determine whether you are infected with Helicobacter pylori .

It should be noted that carbon 14 is radioactive and is prohibited for use in children and pregnant women ;

Carbon 13 is suitable for all people and can be tested repeatedly in a short period of time .

Of course, traces of Helicobacter pylori can also be detected through gastroscopy .

When the following symptoms occur, be alert, you may have been targeted by Helicobacter pylori:

● Pantothenic acid, heartburn

● Stomach pain

● Digestive disorders, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and fatigue

● Bad breath

● Feeling of fullness

● Hiccups and belching

Hearing this, do you feel a little scared? Don't panic, we can take precautions from the following 3 aspects:

1

Develop good hygiene habits

Wash your hands before meals, keep your mouth clean , develop a good habit of brushing your teeth in the morning and evening and rinsing your mouth after meals, disinfect cups and utensils regularly, and replace toothbrushes.

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2

Develop good eating habits

You should eat cooked food that has been heated at high temperatures on a daily basis , wash and peel fruits and vegetables, avoid drinking raw water, and never eat raw meat.

3

Adhere to the system of separate meals and public chopsticks

When dining in groups , separate meals and public chopsticks are used to avoid contact infection.

Pay attention!

“Public spoon, public chopsticks or separate dining system”

It can effectively prevent Helicobacter pylori infection

One of the ways

Take action now

Statement: This article is a medical-related educational popular science article. It does not involve specific treatment methods or medical behaviors and cannot replace hospital visits.

This article's cooperating technician

References

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[2] Li Juan, Jia Hongyun, Huang Sicong, Zhou Qiang, et al. Correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and upper gastrointestinal symptoms[J], Laboratory Medicine and Clinic, 2012(13): 1572-1573.

[3] Hu Lu, He Rongpan, Zhou Mengjiao, Huang Qian, et al. Research progress on influencing factors and nursing intervention of gastroscopy screening compliance in high-risk population for gastric cancer[J]. Journal of Nursing Continuing Education. 2020(6):511-515.

[4] Zeng Qiang, Zhou Liya, Song Zhenya, Liu Yuping, Fan Zhuping, Chen Ye, et al. Expert consensus on technical specifications of 13C urea breath test for physical examination population[J]. Health Examination and Management. 2021(2): 93-98.

[5] Sugano K, Tack J, Kuipers EJ, et al. Kyoto global consensus report on Helicobacter pylori gastritis［J］. Gut, 2015, 64(9): 1353-1367. DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-309252

[6] Yang Yusheng, Ji Liming. Harm and prevention of Helicobacter pylori[J]. World Latest Medical Information Abstracts, 2019, 19(34): 315. DOI: 10.19613/j.cnki.1671-3141.2019.34.239

[7] Long Keyan, Xiong Wenxiao, Zhao Manyu, et al. Research progress on the detection status and transmission routes of Helicobacter pylori in the environment and oral cavity[J]. Modern Preventive Medicine, 2023, 50(11): 2107-2112. DOI: 10.20043/j.cnki.MPM.202212099

[8] Wang Linjia. “Assassins” are hard to guard against, beware of Helicobacter pylori at dinner parties[J]. Science and Technology Horizon, 2023, 13(31): 19-21.14

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Editor: Yang Yali

Map: Eastern Zhou Dynasty