Helicobacter pylori infections
I have just been reading about Helicobacter pylori on Wikipedia. I found some real interesting stuff on it. Mainly of what seems to be the causes of bad breath. The article cites a lot of credible sources as well.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori
But there is one aspect of the article I find astonishing:
"The bacteria have been isolated from feces, saliva and dental plaque of infected patients, which suggests gastro-oral or fecal-oral as possible transmission routes."
This means (in my interpretation) that the bacteria IS present in fecal matter. It's also TRANSMITTED to saliva and dental plaque. So the same bacteria as in fecal matter is in our mouth. Thus, the bad breath aspect. That might explain why I've felt my mouth was slightly cleaner when I flossed my teeth rigourously.
Another interesting quote:
"It is widely believed that in the absence of treatment, H. pylori infection persists for life; the human immune system is not able to eradicate it. However, despite the dominance of this belief among physicians, there is actually no epidemiological evidence to support it and increasing evidence to the contrary. Because H. pylori infection is not generally detected at onset or during the acute phase, the proportion of acute infections that persist is not known, but several studies that followed the natural history in populations have reported apparent spontaneous elimination.[11][12]"
So basically without treatment of this bacteria in can last for a person's life. Thus, bad breath will stay with that person for life. Also, I believe that all of these times I have been to the doctor they didn't detect it in any blood tests because I have recently noticed that I've acquired it. Although I think as of now it's gotten to a really acute point. Before in my life I didn't notice the symtopms as much as I have now.
The symptoms being:
Early
* Indigestion or a burning sensation (heartburn)
* Loss of appetite, especially for meat
Late
* Abdominal pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen
* Nausea and vomiting
* Diarrhea or constipation
* Bloating of the stomach after meals
* Weight loss
* Weakness and fatigue
* Bleeding (vomiting blood or having blood in the stool), which can lead to anemia
As the article says H. Pylori can end up going into gastric cancer. Lately I've been noticing I have very sharp stomach pains, constipation, as well as weakness and fatique.
I have acquired my bad breath just recently and I am still very young (18 years old). Now I'm thinking that I had H. Pylori for a certain degree of my life. I remember only as far back as being 11 years-old that someone said my breath smelled bad. However, not everyone said it and I didn't get reactions for certain years until now. Now I think the H. Pylori infection has gotten to the "acute point." Usually it was probably just the simple onset form not it's gotten to a point where it could be causing me to have gastric cancer.
My thoughts seem completely feasible. I mean I have most of the symptons as stated above for gastric cancer. Not to mention as I analyze my life even further I realize how H. Pylori could in fact be the main culpret of my life.
Although I will not go to the doctor to get this checked out. First off I don't want to scare any family members (that is if they still care about me). I'd prefer to live with it if I have it. I mean so far it's been a year since I've noticed all of the symptoms so I doubt I will be able to get rid of the cancer if I have it by now. Also I'd prefer to live in ignorance. Because after all ignorance is bliss. Am I scared? A little. But I figure this could be the thing to take away from my bad breath and inevitably kill me. So I don't really mind. After all it might set me free of this terrible disease...