Helicobacter Pylori - Is This Bug Living In You?
Probably so, especially if you smoke cigarettes, cigars or a pipe( or live with a smoker), or if you have a wierd skin disease that doesn't go away, or if you have acid reflux that won't stop, or if you are sick to your stomach a lot for no good reason. The chances you are infested are even better if you grew up in a poor neighborhood, if you're Asian, Black or Hispanic, if you've ever lived and worked in underdeveloped countries, (Peace Corps, missionary, military etc) or if other members of your family are infected.
Make no mistake - H. Pylori isn't a minor bacterial infestation. This is the image of a killer bug that has only recently been discovered to inhabit well over half the people on earth. H.Pylori kills in many different ways - gastric cancer, heart disease, ulcers, and autoimmune diseases. H. Pylori also makes millions of people sick, robbing them of vital nutrients, perforating their stomach walls. Gastric cancer is the #2 killer cancer in the world, and over 2/3of those diagnosed with it die from it mainly because it hides until it is too late to cure. And it is CAUSED by H. Pylori - no question about it.
How do you know if you're infected? A simple blood test will let you know. However, expect some resistance from your doctor if you request a test because most insurance won't cover the exam. However, if you believe you have it - GET TESTED. If you have the bug it's relatively easy to eradicate and you will almost eliminate your risk from stomach cancer and the other diseases associated with H. Pylori.
I've put together some of the best medical journal research on H. Pylori in this section of the site. Go ahead and browse the citations and print out any that you think may help you discuss this issue with your doctor. My experience has been that most doctors are aware of H. Pylori but don't know much about it and are under some strange impressions concerning the bug - like that it isn't much of a problem in the US. WRONG!
If you have any questions or comments on H. Pylori issues contact me & I'll try to get the relevant info for you.
1. Rosacea & other skin conditions
4. The link to smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes
5. Dietary causes and controls
11. Genetic research & H. Pylori