What are the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection?
Disease description:
I often have irregular bowel movements, with several bowel movements a day. Now my lower right abdomen hurts, and sometimes I can feel a lump the size of an egg. It seems like it might be Helicobacter pylori. I just want to ask, what are the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection can be summarized as follows:
1. Discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen: H. pylori infection often causes inflammation of the gastric mucosa, leading to pain in the upper abdomen. This pain is usually described as dull, distended, or burning, and is not directly related to eating.
2. Indigestion: H. pylori infection affects the stomach's digestive function. Patients frequently experience symptoms such as abdominal bloating, gas accumulation in the stomach and intestines, slow gastrointestinal motility, and difficulty eating.
3. Loss of appetite: Long-term infection may lead to poor appetite, which can result in weight loss.
4. Excess stomach acid: Some patients may feel discomfort in the stomach due to increased gastric acid secretion, even experiencing symptoms such as acid regurgitation and heartburn.
5. Anemia: The infection may cause gastric mucosal inflammation, impairing iron absorption and thus triggering iron-deficiency anemia.
6. Bad breath: H. pylori infection is one of the important factors causing halitosis. After infection, elevated urease levels break down substances in the stomach, potentially releasing odorous gases through the respiratory tract, resulting in bad breath.
If the above symptoms occur, prompt medical attention is advised.
