Treating H. Pylori infection - Preventing the risk of gastric cancer

H. pylori, or Helicobacter pylori, is a bacteria found in the stomach. Around half of the world's population is infected with H. pylori, often without symptoms or obvious signs. Those suffering from chronic gastritis or duodenitis caused by H. pylori typically do not show symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include epigastric pain, often while fasting, nausea, bloating, indigestion, and feeling full quickly.

Dr. Akiko Tomonari, a specialist in Gastroenterology and Hepatology with many years of experience working in Japan and China, said that if left undetected and untreated, an H. pylori infection can lead to severe complications such as:

• Chronic gastritis.
• Gastric or duodenal ulcers, which can cause recurrent bleeding or even perforation.
• Development of cancers, such as gastric cancer or MALT lymphoma.

People infected with H. pylori have a 5 to 10 times more risk of developing gastric cancer.

H. pylori infection is very common, highly contagious, and can lead to complications. It can recur if not treated properly or incompletely. Therefore, successful treatment requires close cooperation between the patient and the doctor.”

Dr. Akiko also offers the following advice:

• Not everyone infected with H. pylori develops ulcers or stomach cancer: The severity of the disease depends on the interaction between the strain of H. pylori, genetic factors, and the patient's dietary habits.
• Do not self-treat H. pylori with antibiotics: Self-medication may temporarily alleviate symptoms but can lead to complications, such as the silent progress of HP damage.  It can result in antibiotic resistance which will make complete eradication of the bacteria much more difficult
• Routine health checks are important, and testing for and eradicating H. pylori should only be done under a specialist's guidance.

At Hanoi French Hospital, we offer a comprehensive Gastric and Colorectal Cancer Screening Package, which helps detect gastrointestinal conditions early, including gastritis, gastric ulcers, and H. pylori infection with:

• A team of internationally trained specialists in gastroenterology and hepatology.
• Advanced NBI endoscopy systems capable of magnifying and staining images for biopsy, allowing for early detection of infections and the smallest lesions in the digestive tract.
• Treatment following WHO and World Gastroenterology Organization guidelines.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration with Nutrition specialists to develop a long-term treatment plan that minimizes recurrence and provides the safest, most effective care for each patient.

For consultation or appointments with HFH gastroenterologists, please contact our HOTLINE at 024.35771100, message our Facebook page "Hanoi French Hospital" or connect via Zalo OA at zalo.me/2008009049335817955.

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This September, to celebrate our 27th anniversary, HFH is pleased to offer you special promotions:

• 10% discount on stomach and colon cancer screening packages
• 10% discount on liver, biliary, and pancreatic cancer screening packages

For consultations or appointments with our gastroenterology specialists, please call our hotline on 0243 577, contact our “Hanoi French Hospital” Facebook fan page, or message our Zalo official account at zalo.me/2008009049335817955.