Issue Date: March 2, 2008
Having heartburn?
It could be H. pylori, an annoying but treatable infection.
If you get heartburn regularly, see your doctor to rule out the possibility of infection. Relief may only be a prescription away.
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Heartburn is a term used to describe any number of conditions in the upper part of the intestinal tract that create a sensation of discomfort. Patients use it synonymously with indigestion, sour stomach and reflux. The symptoms vary widely both in quality and severity from person to person, so it's difficult for many folks to determine whether their heartburn should be evaluated or treated. Furthermore, nearly all of us have heartburn from time to time, which makes us inclined to tough it out or take an over-the-counter remedy rather than call the doctor.
If heartburn is so common, why should someone call a doctor when it strikes? Well, one reason is to rule out the possibility of a stomach infection. Some folks who get heartburn have, buried in the lining of the stomach, a bacteria slowly but steadily wreaking havoc. Until the infection is addressed, the over-the-counter remedies will only partially relieve the misery.
Bacteria in the stomach lining can wreak havoc.
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The culprit bacterium is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori for short). This bug sets up shop in the stomach and upper intestinal tract. As it spreads, the bacteria create an inflammatory response, making the area more susceptible to the normal acid that's produced (to aid digestion). Over time, this allows the acid to irritate the stomach lining, leading not only to heartburn symptoms but, in some cases, even ulcers.
That's the bad news. The good news is that H. pylori infections can be treated effectively with the right antibiotic regimen. If heartburn is something you experience regularly, see your doctor. Tests can determine if you have the infection, and if so, relief may be a prescription away.
Contributing Editor Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
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