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Helicobacter Pylori Center - Odessa, TX

Odessa Gastroenterologist Doctors for Helicobacter Pylori

Type of Physician: Gastroenterologist

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Common Name: GI Doctor

Gastroenterologist Doctors in Odessa *

Permain Gastroenterology Associates LLP
Ravikumar P Vemuru
315 E 5th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432) 333-3433

Govind B Patel
Govind B Patel
4214 Andrews Hwy
STE 203
Midland, TX 79703
(432) 697-1000

Mrunal C Patel MD
Mrunal C Patel
4214 Andrews Hwy
STE 203
Midland, TX 79703
(432) 697-1000

Alma Ramos MD
Alma Ramos
1706 W Texas Ave
Midland, TX 79701
(432) 620-9797

Odessa, Texas

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Helicobacter Pylori

What is Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that causes chronic inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach (gastritis) in humans. This bacterium also is the most common cause of ulcers worldwide. H. pylori infection is most likely acquired by ingesting contaminated food and water and through person to person contact. In the United States, 30% of the adult population is infected. (50% of infected persons are infected by the age of 60.) The infection is more common in crowded living conditions with poor sanitation. In countries with poor sanitation, 90% of the adult population can be infected. Infected individuals usually carry the infection indefinitely unless they are treated with medications to eradicate the bacterium. One out of every six patients with H. pylori infection will develop ulcers of the duodenum or stomach. H. pylori also is associated with stomach cancer and a rare type of lymphocytic tumor of the stomach called MALT lymphoma.

How is H. pylori infection diagnosed?

Accurate and simple tests for the detection of H. pylori infection are available. They include blood antibody tests, urea breath tests, stool antigen tests, and endoscopic biopsies.

Blood tests for the presence of antibodies to H. pylori can be performed easily and rapidly. However, blood antibodies can persist for years after complete eradication of H. pylori with antibiotics. Therefore, blood antibody tests may be good for diagnosing infection, but they are not good for determining if antibiotics have successfully eradicated the bacterium.

The urea breath test (UBT) is a safe, easy, and accurate test for the presence of H. pylori in the stomach. The breath test relies on the ability of H. pylori to break down the naturally occurring chemical, urea, into carbon dioxide which is absorbed from the stomach and eliminated from the body ...

Recommended Reading Related to Helicobacter Pylori (H pylori)

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Ulcers »

What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed medications for the inflammation of arthritis and other body tissues, such as in tendinitis and bursitis. The are also used for minor aches and pain.

Examples of NSAIDs include:

  • aspirin,
  • indomethacin (Indocin),
  • ibuprofen (Motrin),
  • naproxen (Naprosyn),
  • piroxicam (Feldene),
  • nabumetone (Relafen), and
  • Celecoxib (Celebrex).

NSAIDs are available by prescription or without a prescription (over-the-counter). They are also ingredients in many over the counter medications used for colds and minor aches and pain. They are administered orally as capsules, tablets, liquids, or by injection ketorolac (Toradol). Although not included in this review, NSAIDs are also used as eye drops for eye inflammation (f...

Emergency Contact for Odessa

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Odessa Hospitals *

Medical Center Hospital Odessa
500 W 4th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)640-4000

Regency Hospital of Odessa
500 W 4th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)552-4000

Odessa Regional Medical Center West Campus
520 E 6th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)582-8000

Odessa Regional Medical Center East Campus
515 N Adams Ave
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)582-8002

HEALTHSOUTH Midland Rehabilitation Hospital
1800 Heritage Blvd
Midland, TX 79707
(432)520-1600

Midland Memorial Hospital West Campus
4214 Andrews Hwy
Midland, TX 79703
(432)522-2273

Midland Memorial Hospital
2200 W Illinois Ave
Midland, TX 79701
(432)685-1111

Desert Springs Medical Center
3300 S FM 1788
Midland, TX 79706
(432)563-1200

Crane Memorial Hospital
1310 S Alford St
Crane, TX 79731
(432)558-3555

Martin County Hospital District
610 N St Peter St
Stanton, TX 79782
(432)756-3345

Ward Memorial Hospital
406 S Gary St
Monahans, TX 79756
(432)943-2511

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