attend to continued stomach pains It is important to know if we are facing something more serious than indigestion. And it is that, although the appropriate tests must be carried out to find the diagnosis, we can be facing the well-known infection caused by the Helicobacter pyloria bacterium that infects the mucosa of the human gastric epithelium.
We must bear in mind that the human gastric fluid It is composed of digestive enzymes, as well as hydro-hydrochloric acidsubstances that destroy most bacteria and viruses, with the exception of Helicobacter pylori, who is one of those who has the ability to live in this context
This bacterium explains Belén Fontána specialist in Nutrition and Dietetics at the Ruber Juan Bravo Hospital Complex in Madrid, mainly infects stomach liningalthough it can also be found in feces, saliva and dental plaque.
This infection is one of the most common causes of gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcer. In this sense, the specialist indicates that it is a very resistant bacterium, and the symptoms that it can manifest are diverse:
.- Reflux in the upper part of the abdomen
.- Stomach swelling or inflammation
.- Very early satiety with little amount of food ingested
.- Nausea or vomiting
.- Asthenia and/or weakness
.- Weightloss
.- Dark stools
How do we get infected and what treatment is there?
«Helicobacter pylori infections can be transmitted from person to personespecially if infected people do not wash their hands thoroughly after each deposition,” Fontán details.
Therefore, to tackle the problem once the bacteria has appeared, the specialist assures that “it is very important to associate a correct pharmacological regimen with proton pump inhibitors to decrease stomach acid production, as well as antibiotics to kill the bacteria.”
It also highlights that the care of their mucous membranes will be of great importance for the well-being of the patient, where it plays diet plays an important role. “The well-being of patients with Helicobacter pylori, both in the treatment phase and after pharmacological treatment, is directly related to careful diet,” says Fontán.
The importance of diet for well-being
An adequate diet greatly reduces the symptoms caused by this bacterium, so it is vitally important to know that We should not consume if we have been diagnosed with the presence of Helicobacter Pylori these foods and drinks. “These products promote irritation of the mucous membranes, so the symptoms will worsen,” he says.
.- Tea and coffee
.- Refreshments
.- Alcohol
.- Sausages and very cured cheeses
.- Ultra-processed foods
.- Very cold or very hot foods
.- Very spicy foods
.- Very toasted foods
.- Irritating spices like pepper.
On the other hand, it also indicates that it is important to promote the digestion of patients diagnosed with Helicobacter Pylori to improve swelling, reflux, as well as general digestive discomfort. “For this reason, in nutritional intervention we tend to eliminate or reduce the consumption of foods that, being healthy, should not be incorporated during the treatment of the bacteria due to its repercussion at the digestive levelalthough these foods must be reincorporated into the patient’s diet progressively and depending on the patient’s tolerance,” explains the specialist in Nutrition and Dietetics at the Ruber Juan Bravo Hospital Complex in Madrid.
Some of these healthy and healthy products that patients with this bacterium should remove from their diet are, for example, “legumes and whole grains, nuts (because of their high fat content they are more difficult to digest), fruits and raw vegetables or oily fish. However, Fontán assures, “This restriction should be done under the supervision of a nutritionist to avoid nutritional deficits.”
Foods indicated in the diet
On the other hand, and taking into account that it is a temporary treatment, Yes, there are foods that we can have in our day to day for being healthy and indicated in these cases.
.- Boiled fruits and vegetables
.- White meats such as chicken, rabbit or turkey
.- White fish
.- Natural yogurt and fresh cheese
.- Peeled lentil
.- Olive oil and avocado in moderate amounts
Helicobacter pylori is characterized by produce ammonia as a method of protection. Therefore, as far as possible we also recommend, and depending on the patient’s symptoms, depurinize meats and starchesthat is, boil meat for approximately 10 minutes or toast bread, for example, “says the nutrition specialist.
He also points out that not only food and pharmacology help to eradicate this bacterium. It is important to take into account our lifestyle. Among the factors that we can change to improve the symptoms, we must take into account these tips:
1.- Avoid abundant meals, distributing the intake in 5-6 shots.
2.- Eat slowly and prepare simple meals.
3.- Rest sitting half an hour after the main meals.
4.- Drink a sufficient quantity of water, in small quantities, outside of meals, 30 or 60 minutes before or after. Avoid orange and tomato juices and soft drinks.
5.- Avoid extreme temperatures, that is, that food and drinks are warm.
«From the nutrition consultation we cannot eradicate the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori, but we can make the symptoms caused by the infection improve and, with it, the quality of life of our patients”, concludes Fontán.