Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Bacterial Infections
Number of Conditions: 3
Helicobacter pylori Infection
Specialty: Gastrointestinal
Category: Stomach Disorders
Sub-category: Bacterial Infections
Symptoms:
upper abdominal pain; nausea; bloating; loss of appetite; frequent burping; unintentional weight loss; dark stools (if ulcers or bleeding occur)
Root Cause:
Infection of the stomach lining with H. pylori bacteria, which disrupts the protective mucosal barrier and induces inflammation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urea breath test, stool antigen test, blood antibody test, or endoscopy with biopsy for histology, urease testing, or PCR.
Treatment:
Eradication therapy with a combination of antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications.
Medications:
Antibiotics such as amoxicillin , clarithromycin , and metronidazole or levofloxacin (used in combination for eradication therapy). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole or esomeprazole to reduce stomach acid and enhance antibiotic effectiveness. Bismuth-containing compounds (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate ) in quadruple therapy regimens.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 50% of the global population, with higher prevalence in developing countries.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor sanitation, contaminated food or water, close contact with infected individuals, living in crowded or resource-limited settings.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent if treated promptly; eradication significantly reduces the risk of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, increased risk of gastric cancer.
Ludwig’s Angina
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders
Sub-category: Bacterial Infections
Symptoms:
severe swelling in the floor of the mouth and neck; difficulty swallowing or speaking; fever; drooling; airway obstruction
Root Cause:
Rapidly spreading cellulitis of the submandibular and sublingual spaces, often originating from a dental infection.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through clinical examination and imaging (CT or MRI).
Treatment:
Treated urgently with intravenous antibiotics and possible surgical drainage to secure the airway.
Medications:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as ampicillin-sulbactam or clindamycin ; metronidazole for anaerobic coverage.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare but potentially life-threatening.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor dental hygiene, recent dental infection or procedure, immunosuppression.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Favorable with prompt treatment; delayed intervention can lead to mortality.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Airway obstruction, sepsis, mediastinitis.
Necrotizing Ulcerative Diseases (e.g., Noma/Cancrum Oris)
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders
Sub-category: Bacterial Infections
Symptoms:
severe facial ulceration; foul-smelling breath; pain; progressive tissue destruction
Root Cause:
Polymicrobial infection in malnourished or immunocompromised individuals, often associated with poor hygiene.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed clinically by tissue necrosis and poor oral hygiene
Treatment:
Treated with aggressive antibiotics, debridement, nutritional support, and management of underlying conditions.
Medications:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics like penicillin combined with metronidazole or clindamycin .
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; most common in impoverished regions with malnutrition.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Malnutrition, poor oral hygiene, immunosuppression, measles, or recent illness.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
High mortality without treatment; survivors often require reconstructive surgery.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Facial disfigurement, sepsis, death.