Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has always provided awareness on health issues and on different diseases. PMA always stresses upon prevention of diseases because PMA believes that prevention is better than cure.
PMA is always in the frontline to provide awareness and prevention of different diseases as Pakistan Medical Association has been providing awareness for more than two years on coronavirus. Regarding coronavirus, PMA warned the government one month before the eruption of covid-19 in Pakistan. It is necessary for us all to take care of our health.
If there is a problem in any part of a body it will affect the whole body. The same is the case of the Digestive System; sufferings like abdomen spasms, acidity, nausea, flatulence are very common. If these symptoms persist for a long time, the patient should visit the doctor because it could lead to a serious illness if ignored. Stomach diseases in Pakistan are getting serious rapidly.
For the last many decades it is being considered that depression, spicy food, and smoking in any form causes stomach ulcers but in 1982 after discovering the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, it was revealed that this bacteria is often the cause of stomach ulcer.
80% population of Pakistan is suffering from Helicobacter pylori which is the main reason for stomach diseases in Pakistan. Symptoms of H. Pylori include ache or burning pain in your abdomen which could worsen when your stomach is empty, Nausea, loss of appetite, frequent burning, bloating, and Unintentional weight loss.
People can swallow H. pylori bacteria from contaminated food, water, or eating utensils. Infections are most common in crowded areas and those without clean water or good sewage systems.
The infected persons can pass the bacteria through their saliva (spit) and other body fluids. Pylori has been considered associated with acute and chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, lymphoma, and even cancer.
Like all developing countries, Pakistan also has high H. pylori prevalence reported in the range of 50-90%. Clinical studies have proved that H. Pylori bacteria increase the risk of stomach cancer. To diagnose the bacteria PMA usually has a blood test or stool test in Pakistan which is bothersome for patients.
The result of these tests is delayed from two to four days and the patient remains in trouble during this period. PMA in collaboration with Otsuka Pakistan is creating awareness regarding this serious issue. Otsuka Pakistan has introduced a Urea Breath Test for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori. It is a Japan Technology approved by the U.S – FDA.
The test is done with the human breathing sample within just twenty minutes without going into any complex procedure.
