Medical Health Encyclopedia

(Interestingly, people with duodenal ulcers caused by H. pylori appear to have a lower risk of stomach cancer, though scientists do not know why. It may be that different H. pylori strains affect the duodenum and the stomach. Or, the high levels of acid that affect the duodenum may help prevent the spread of the bacteria to critical areas of the stomach.)

Pancreatic Cancer. H. pylori has recently been linked to pancreatic cancer.

Heart Disease. Some research has reported a very high rate of H. pylori infection in men with coronary artery disease, but more recent work has found no relationship between the bacteria and heart disease. A 2001 study suggested that only relationship between the bacteria and heart disease may be that people with both tend to be in lower socioeconomic groups. Further studies are needed.

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Other Diseases. H. pylori has also been weakly associated with other non-intestinal disorders including migraine, Raynaud's disease (marked by cold extremities), and some skin disorders, such as chronic hives.