Gastritis

Stomach complaints are so widespread and felt by so many people that “What is gastritis?” has become one of the most frequently asked questions. Gastritis is damage and injury to the cells lining the inner surface of the stomach. It is also popularly referred to as stomach inflammation.

Gastritis is inflammation, irritation or erosion of the stomach lining. It can come on suddenly and be short-lived, or it can begin gradually and last a long time. It is a common condition that affects about 8 in 1,000 people each year. The acute form can usually result from an infection, excessive alcohol consumption or medications that irritate the stomach. Worldwide, half of the population is thought to have chronic gastritis linked to Helicobacter pylori infection.

So What Are the Most Common Causes of Gastritis?

In general, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, spicy foods and certain groups of painkillers/rheumatism medications can cause gastritis. Gastritis is given specific prefixes according to its location in the anatomy of the stomach. For example, when asked what antral gastritis is, it describes gastritis in the antrum, the lower part of the stomach near its outlet to the duodenum.

The most common symptoms of gastritis are:

-Burning in the stomach

-A feeling of discomfort in the abdomen

-Loss of appetite

-Nausea and vomiting

In addition to its acute and chronic forms, gastritis can also be divided into types according to how it affects the protective lining of your stomach.

Erosive gastritis. In this type, whatever is causing the gastritis leaves wounds or ulcers in your stomach lining.

Nonerosive gastritis. People with this type of gastritis have stomach irritation but no ulcers. If you have a type of nonerosive gastritis called atrophic gastritis, the irritation causes your stomach lining to thin.

Doctors can also diagnose gastritis according to its cause, for example:

• Alcohol-induced gastritis
• Autoimmune gastritis
• Drug-induced gastritis
• Infectious gastritis
• Stress-induced gastritis

What Causes Gastritis?

Gastritis is your body's response to weakness or damage in your stomach lining. Many things can lead to this, including:

• Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or naproxen
• Excessive use of alcohol, tobacco or cocaine
• Repeated vomiting
• Stress caused by injury, surgery or a serious illness
• Infections caused by bacteria such as H. pylori
• Other infections, including parasitic infections, HIV/AIDS and the viruses that cause “stomach flu”
• Bile reflux, which occurs when a digestive fluid called bile flows back into your stomach
• An autoimmune reaction in which your immune system attacks the cells of your stomach lining
• Inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease or sarcoidosis
• Chemotherapy and radiation treatments

The stomach lining thins with age, so older people have a higher risk of gastritis.

What Are the Symptoms of Gastritis?

Gastritis symptoms vary from person to person, and many people with gastritis have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of gastritis may include:

Gastritis symptoms vary from person to person, and many people with gastritis have no symptoms at all.

• Indigestion, a burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach between meals or at night
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating
• Stomach pain in the abdominal area
• Hiccups
• Loss of appetite

If gastritis has led to an ulcer that causes bleeding, you may experience:

• Black, tarry-looking stools
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Gastritis Treatment

Treatment of gastritis depends on its cause and how severe it is.

Acute gastritis may go away on its own or improve when you stop smoking, drinking alcohol or taking certain medications. If you have an alcohol or drug use disorder, your doctor may refer you to treatment programs. If NSAIDs are causing your gastritis, they may recommend alternative painkillers. If you have chronic gastritis, you will need treatment to heal it permanently.

Medications for gastritis may include:

Antacids. These are over-the-counter medications you can buy to relieve indigestion and heartburn. They work by neutralizing stomach acid. There are many different types, including Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids and Tums. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which type to take, and avoid those that contain aspirin.

H2 blockers. Histamine (H2) blocker medications, sold over the counter or by prescription, reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. These include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid) and nizatidine.

Proton pump inhibitors. These medications help block the production of stomach acid. They are also available over the counter or by prescription. They include dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix) and rabeprazole (Aciphex).

Surface-coating agents. These prescription medications protect damaged stomach tissue from acid and enzymes so that it can heal. They include sucralfate (Carafate). Misoprostol (Cytotec), a prostaglandin analog, reduces acid secretion and supports the stomach's protective lining; it must not be used during pregnancy.

Antibiotics. If your gastritis is caused by a bacterial infection such as H. pylori, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics along with medications that reduce stomach acid.

Anti-nausea medications. If you have nausea because of gastritis, you can take over-the-counter or prescription medications to relieve this symptom.

If an autoimmune disorder is causing your gastritis, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat that disorder. For autoimmune gastritis, they may recommend vitamin B12, folic acid or iron supplements.

Can Gastritis Be Cured?

The best way to get rid of gastritis is to deal with what is causing it. You may need to quit smoking or cut back on alcohol or over-the-counter painkillers. Or you may need treatment for an infection or another condition that is causing or worsening your symptoms.

How Long Does Gastritis Last?

Acute gastritis can last a few days. Chronic gastritis, on the other hand, can last for months or even years.

What Foods Are Good for Gastritis?

There is no such thing as a gastritis diet, because experts do not think diet plays a role in most cases of gastritis. However, not drinking too much alcohol and not eating foods you are allergic to will also be good for your gastritis.

How Can Gastritis Pain Be Relieved Quickly?

Antacids can quickly relieve gastritis pain by neutralizing stomach acid. However, they do not address its causes.

What Should You Eat If You Have Gastritis?

Eat smaller, more frequent meals to aid digestion. Focus on less
processed foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, beans, eggs, and small amounts of poultry and lean meats.
Listen to your body and notice whether any food affects your symptoms. Keeping a food diary can help you figure this out. Your doctor or a dietitian can give you dietary recommendations based on your own needs and medical history.