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Gastritis: symptoms, causes, risk factors and treatment

 What is gastritis? 

Gastritis refers to the inflammation of the stomach lining,also called gastric mucosa, due to bacterial infection.
 
Our stomach has a inner lining made up of mucus producing cells that protect the stomach wall from acid and other corrosive agents. Any damage in this lining may cause gastric concerns like ulcers or further complications. 

Bacteria Helicobacter pylori is known to be the one involved in causing gastritis and other gastropathies.

Apart from the bacterial cause, there are certain conditions that can irritate the stomach lining leading to gastritis symptoms. 

Gastritis is not a major illness and it is treatable with medical care and lifestyle modification.

Gastritis may trouble you if you are a chronic smoker or an alcoholic for years. 

 In long run, gastritis may eventually turn into gastric ulcers thus breaking the integrity of stomach lining and causing more serious complications and daily living concerns. 
 
Let us talk about the symptoms of gastritis:

What are the symptoms of Gastritis?

Common symptoms of acute gastritis are:

  • Indigestion or dyspepsia
  • Stomach pain mostly in the upper portion
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Burning sensation in stomach 
  • Feeling of fullness on having meals

Symptoms of chronic gastritis may be:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Loss of weight due to less food intake
  • Gastric bleeding 
  • Blood in vomitus 
  • Anemia 
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency pernicious anemia

What are the causes of gastritis?

Gastritis is caused by bacteria H. Pylori. The other adjoining causes or risk factors contributing to gastritis can be:
  1. Eating too much spicy or fatty foods
  2. Intake of too much alcohol
  3. Overuse of NSAIDs or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  4. Stress

How can be gastritis diagnosed?

More often gastritis remains undiagnosed as people rarely see any apparent symptoms initially. Even though they may have inflammation of stomach lining, they are not aware of the condition and think it to be an indigestion and treat it like wise using home remedies.

In most of the cases, it goes on its own if it is mild gastritis.

Diagnosis of gastritis can be done by:

  • Assessment of symptoms
  • Ultrasound studies
  • Blood test to detect H. Pylori infection
  • H. Pylori breath test
  • Barium swallows and CT scan to rule out the clear gastritis picture. 
Once diagnosed your doctor may prescribe medications as well as recommend changing your food pattern and lifestyle to ease the symptoms. 

What are the common types of gastritis?

Based on the duration, it can be of two types:
  1. Acute gastritis: Gastritis with sudden or abrupt onset presenting as clearly seen intense symptoms is called acute gastritis.  This needs to be treated immediately to get relief. 
  2. Chronic gastritis: Gastritis running for a prolonged time producing less intense symptoms for many months or even years but damaging the mucosa slowly and gradually is chronic gastritis. 
Acute gastritis can be treated with short term course that can provide early relief and cure.

Chronic gastritis may present with many complications and once diagnosed, it needs to be treated on a long term basis to avoid any further complications. 

How can be gastritis treated?

  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics are given to kill helicobacter pylori bacteria.
  • Antacid medications: Antacids like cimetidine, Ranitidine etc are prescribed to prevent acid production
  • Proton pump inhibitors such as esomoprazole, rabeprazile, Omeprazole are given to block the proton receptors cells that produce acid in the stomach
  • Antiemetics before food may be given to treat nausea and vomiting
  • Hematinics may be given to treat anemia.
  • Calcium carbonate medications in the form of suspensions or liquids may be prescribed to provide relief as it may act as a coating on the inflamed surface.
  • Diet changes: your doctor may recommend intake of bland diet or soft foods that are gentle on your stomach and are easily digestible. 
  • Lifestyle modifications like reducing caffeine intake by cutting up your coffe or tea servings per day and drinking enough water may aid in easing up the symptoms of gastritis.

How can we prevent Gastritis?

Mild Gastritis can often be mistaken for indigestion as it mimics the symptoms of indigestion and is mostly unnoticed until it turns to more severe.  

Tips to prevent gastritis or recurring gastritis

However mild gastritis gets treated at home easily and further complications can be prevented with simple precautions and tips:
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Do not skip your meals. 
  • Instead have small meals at regular intervals.
  • Do not overeat
  • Know your stomach pattern. Understand what foods irritate your tummy. Try to reduce or cut off those from your menu
  • Have a cup less of your caffeinated drinks
  • Reduce or stop your alcohol intake if indigestion troubles you more often.
  • Avoid taking NSAIDs without your doctor's advice.
  • Avoid having overspicy or fatty and oily foods.  

What can be the complications of gastritis?

Gastritis is a treatable condition and people with gastritis get ease with medical treatment and start to recover soon. 

If the condition remains undiagnosed or untreated it may cause some of the below complications such as:
  • Stomach or gastric ulcers
  • Gastric or stomach bleeding
  • Anemia due to excess loss of blood
  • Severe pain on eating food
  • Loss of weight leading to poor nutrition
  • Stomach cancer though rare
  • Peritonitis or colitis due to spread of infection to peritoneum or colon.

Gastritis can be treated effectively with medical treatment and care. Symptoms of gastritis can be relieved by medications and dietary restrictions and changing food pattern. If, in case, you feel having any symptoms of gastritis, see your doctor and get diagnosed to get yourself treated as soon as possible.

Note: This post is for informational and educational purpose only, It is not a substitute to any medical or professional advice or treatment. See your doctor in any case.

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