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Helicobacter pylori - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Gastritis por Helicobacter pylori; H. pylori

Definición:

Es la bacteria responsable de la mayoría de las úlceras y muchos casos de inflamación del estómago ( gastritis crónica).

La bacteria puede debilitar la cubierta protectora del estómago, permitiendo que los jugos digestivos irriten el sensible revestimiento estomacal.

Causas:

La mitad de la población mundial está infectada con H. pylori. Las personas que viven en países en desarrollo o en condiciones de hacinamiento o insalubridad tienen la mayor probabilidad de contraer la bacteria, que se transmite de una persona a otra. La H. pylori sólo prolifera en los intestinos y generalmente se contrae durante la infancia.

Lo que es interesante es que muchas personas tienen este organismo en el estómago pero no desarrollan úlcera ni gastritis. Tomar café, fumar y consumir alcohol incrementan el riesgo de una úlcera a causa de H. pylori.

El sistema digestivo

Reviewed last on: 8/1/2009
Reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California.

Referencias

Chey WD, Wong BC. American College of Gastroenterology guideline on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection. Am J Gastroenterol. 2007;102(8):1808-1825.

Ables AZ, Simon I, Melton ER. Update on Helicobacter pylori treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75(3):351-358.

Tomar antiácidos

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