Gastritis causes many annoying symptoms like nausea, indigestion, and bloating. Often these symptoms go away on their own, but sometimes it can become chronic gastritis which needs medication, like antacids.
In this article, we'll learn about what gastritis is, its symptoms, causes, how to diagnose it, and treatment options.
What is gastritis?
Gastritis is inflammation of the protective lining of the stomach. It can be sudden and severe. Chronic gastritis means long-lasting inflammation that can last years if not treated.
Also, there is erosive gastritis, a less common type. It usually doesn't cause much inflammation but can lead to bleeding and stomach lining ulcers.
Symptoms of gastritis
Gastritis doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in everyone, Common symptoms of this condition can include:-
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Nausea.
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Vomiting.
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Feeling full in the upper belly, especially after meals.
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Indigestion.
If the person has erosive gastritis, they might have some different symptoms, andthese can include:-
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Black, tarry stools.
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Vomiting blood or having coffee-ground-like material.
Causes of Gastritis
Weak stomach lining lets digestive juices damage and inflame it, causing gastritis. Having a thin or damaged stomach lining raises the risk of gastritis.
Also, bacterial infections in the gut can cause stomach inflammation. The most common bacterial infection is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacteria that infects the stomach lining. Usually, this infection spreads from person to person or through contaminated food or water.
Besides that, some conditions and activities may raise the risk of gastritis, andThese risk factors may include the following:-
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Routine use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin and ibuprofen.
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Aging, because the stomach lining naturally thins as you get older.
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Using tobacco.
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Stress.
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Autoimmune disorders.
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Digestive system disorders, like Crohn's disease.
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Viral infections.
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Drinking alcohol.
Diagnosing gastritis
To diagnose gastritis, the healthcare provider will do a physical exam, ask about symptoms, medical and family history, and may recommend blood, breath, and stool tests to check for H. pylori.
Some tests that can help diagnose gastritis include:
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Upper GI endoscopyto check for inflammation in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
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Biopsythe healthcare provider may take a small sample from the stomach lining to examine under a microscope for anything unusual.
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Upper gastrointestinal tract testsThis involves taking X-rays of the digestive system after drinking a barium solution.
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Blood testsBlood is tested to check for other causes of gastritis symptoms or signs of complications.
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Stool testsThis test can rule out H. pylori infection or check for blood in the stool, which might show stomach bleeding.
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Urea breath testThis test also helps detect the presence of H. pylori bacteria.
Gastritis treatment
Treatment for gastritis depends on the cause. If it's caused by taking steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other meds, avoiding those might be enough to ease symptoms. So, people should ask their doctor about their medications and if they need to stop or adjust the dose.
Also, healthcare providers treat gastritis caused by H. pylori bacteria with antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
Besides antibiotics, different types of meds are used to treat gastritis, These meds can include:
- Proton pump inhibitors
Drugs called proton pump inhibitors stop the cells that make stomach acid. Common proton pump inhibitors include:
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Omeprazole
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Lansoprazole
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Esomeprazole
But using these meds long-term, especially in high doses, can raise the risk of spine, hip, and wrist fractures. It can also increase risks of kidney failure, dementia, and nutrient deficiencies.
- Acid reducing drugs
Famotidine (Pepcid) is an example of a drug that lowers how much acid the stomach produces. Reducing acid helps ease stomach pain and lets the stomach lining heal.
- Antacids
Doctors may suggest antacids for quick relief of stomach pain. These drugs neutralize stomach acid, but some can cause diarrhea or Constipation.
- Probiotics
Studies have shown that probiotics help renew digestive flora and heal stomach ulcers.
Complications of gastritis
If gastritis is left untreated, it can cause several complications and some forms can increase the risk ofstomach cancer, especially in people who have thin stomach linings.
Some other complications of gastritis can include:-
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Nutrient deficiencies, like Vitamin B12, andVitamin D,Folic acid, andVitamin C, andZinc, andCalcium,Magnesium.
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Stomach bleeding.
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Stomach perforation.
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Peptic ulcer.
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Chronic atrophic gastritis.
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Stomach atrophy and dysplasia.
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Chlorhydria.
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Cancer, like stomach cancer and lymphoma.
Because of these complications, you should see a healthcare provider if you have any of the gastritis symptoms mentioned above, especially if they last a long time.
Preventing Gastritis
The plan to prevent gastritis might depend on your overall health and if you have any conditions that increase the risk of stomach problems like gastritis.
Still, since gastritis doesn’t have a clear cause, it can be hard to prevent. But there are some things you can do to reduce the risk.
Ways to prevent gastritis include:
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Keeping good hygiene habits like washing your hands to help lower the chance of getting an H. pylori infection.
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Taking good care of your overall health and seeing a doctor if any symptoms show up.
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Managing stress with breathing exercises, relaxation, and yoga.
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Eat a balanced diet.
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Avoid or limit fried, salty, sugary, and spicy foods.
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Quit smoking and drinking alcohol.
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Cut down on caffeine.
