Mr. Zhang recently experienced persistent stomach discomfort, constant bloating, and frequent acid reflux. Hospital examinations diagnosed him with chronic gastritis. He was puzzled, as he maintained good dietary habits. Further tests revealed his condition stemmed from Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis—a type of stomach disease that can be "transmitted."
Can stomach ailments be "contagious"?
It is now confirmed that Helicobacter pylori is closely linked to four gastrointestinal diseases: chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. H. pylori is currently the most prevalent bacterial infection in humans, affecting approximately half of the global population.Humans are the sole source of H. pylori transmission, and it is highly contagious. Consuming contaminated food or kissing can lead to infection. In China, where sharing utensils is customary rather than individual servings, H. pylori infection rates are significantly higher than in Western countries with individual serving practices. Individuals frequently attending social dinners face a high risk of infection, and infections often occur simultaneously within families.During meals, an infected individual can transmit the bacteria to others through saliva and other digestive secretions. If one family member develops a gastric disorder, others are highly susceptible to contracting it sequentially. Therefore, interrupting the transmission route of Helicobacter pylori is an effective method for preventing gastric diseases.
Six Key Precautions for Preventing Gastric Diseases
1. Avoid excessive fatigue:
Overwork can lead to insufficient blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract and disrupt gastric mucosal secretion, potentially triggering various gastric disorders.
2. Avoid Overusing Western Medications:
Many Western medications strongly irritate the stomach. Long-term use can damage the gastric mucosa, leading to erosive gastritis, hemorrhagic gastritis, and gastric ulcers.Certain antipyretic analgesics (e.g., aspirin, phenylbutazone, indomethacin), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone), and antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin) must be taken strictly according to medical advice and used with caution.
III. Maintain Good Hygiene:
Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as the primary cause of gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric cancer. It can be transmitted through shared eating utensils, toothbrushes, and kissing. Therefore, practicing good hygiene and avoiding the sharing of eating utensils and toothbrushes can prevent Helicobacter pylori infection and reduce the risk of various gastric diseases.
IV. Avoid prolonged, excessive consumption of strong tea or coffee:
Heavy intake of strong tea or coffee can cause gastric mucosal bleeding, secretion dysfunction, and barrier disruption through neural reflexes and direct effects, thereby promoting gastric ulcer development.
V. Maintain a balanced diet:
Irregular eating habits—such as allowing the stomach to remain empty during hunger—expose the gastric mucosa to harmful stimulation from gastric acid and pepsin. Conversely, overeating causes excessive stretching of the stomach walls and prolonged food retention, both of which inflict significant damage on the stomach.
VI. Pay Attention to Eating Speed:
Chewing food thoroughly and eating slowly aids digestion. This process increases saliva secretion, which also protects the gastric mucosa. If you wolf down your food without proper chewing, it inevitably increases the burden on your gastrointestinal tract.