Infectious Ulcers Win Noble PrizePosting Date: 10/17/2005 To learn more about Helicobacter and its treatment, you may wish to read our Guide to Digestive Disorders. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. G-3, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. If someone is infected with H. pylori, taking acid-suppressing drugs like Zantac, Tagamet or Prevacid won't cure the infection. Some experts maintain that suppressing stomach acid without eliminating the bacteria might even increase a person's risk of developing "atrophic gastritis," a condition that appears to be a precursor for stomach cancer. This issue remains quite controversial. One lesson to be taken from the Helicobacter-ulcer story is that infection and resulting inflammation might lie behind other chronic conditions. Scientists are looking for the agents that might trigger type-1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease or even arthritis. If this line of research proves fruitful, it could be another consequence of the creative thinking of Warren and Marshall. * * * Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.org. © 2005 King Features Syndicate, Inc. Related Stories |
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