Description

Gastritis is a general term for a group of conditions with one thing in common: Inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The inflammation of gastritis is most often the result of infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers or the regular use of certain pain relievers. Drinking too much alcohol also can contribute to gastritis.

Gastritis can occur suddenly (acute gastritis), or appear slowly over time (chronic gastritis). In some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis is not serious and improves quickly with treatment.

Symptoms

Gastritis do not always cause symptoms. When it does, the symptoms of gastritis may include:

  • Gnawing or burning pain, called indigestion, in the upper part of the abdomen. This feeling can be better or worse after eating.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating.

When to see a doctor

Almost everyone has had indigestion and stomach irritation in some time. Generally, the indigestion is not of long duration and do not require medical attention. Consult your health care professional if you have symptoms of gastritis for a week or more.

Seek medical attention right away if you have severe pain or if you have vomiting in where you can't keep any food. Also seek immediate attention if you experience dizziness or lightheadedness. Tell your health care professional if your stomach discomfort happens after taking medications, especially aspirin or other painkillers.

If you are vomiting blood, blood in stools, or stools that appear black, see your healthcare provider right away to find the cause.

Causes

Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The lining of the stomach is a mucus-lined barrier that protects the stomach wall. Weaknesses or injury of the barrier allows digestive juices to damage and inflame the lining of the stomach. Several diseases and conditions that may increase the risk of gastritis. These include inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn's disease.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of gastritis include:

  • The bacterial infection. A bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori, also known as H. pylori, is one of the most common in the world of human infections. However, only some people with the infection develop gastritis or other upper gastrointestinal disorders. Health professionals believe that the sensitivity of the germs could be inherited. The sensitivity can also be caused by lifestyle choices, such as smoking and diet.
  • The Regular use of pain relievers. Pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also called Nsaids, may cause gastritis, acute and chronic gastritis. Nsaids include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS). The use of these pain medications regularly or take too much of these medicines can cause damage to the lining of the stomach.
  • Advanced age. Older adults have an increased risk of gastritis due to which the stomach lining tends to thin with age. Older adults also have a higher risk because they are more likely to have H. pylori infection or autoimmune disorders than younger people are.
  • The excessive use of alcohol. Alcohol can irritate and break down the lining of the stomach. This makes your stomach more vulnerable to digestive juices. The excessive use of alcohol is more likely to cause gastritis, acute.
  • Stress. Severe stress due to surgery, injury, burns, or severe infections can cause gastritis, acute.
  • The treatment of cancer. Chemotherapy drugs or radiation treatment may increase the risk of gastritis.
  • Your own body attacks the cells in the stomach.Called autoimmune gastritis, this type of gastritis occurs when the body attacks the cells that make up the lining of the stomach. This reaction can be worn in the stomach of the protective barrier. Autoimmune gastritis is more common in people with other autoimmune disorders. These include Hashimoto's disease and type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune gastritis may also be associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency.
  • Other diseases and conditions . Gastritis may be associated with other medical conditions. These may include HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, sarcoidosis, and parasitic infections.

Your own body attacks the cells in the stomach. Called autoimmune gastritis, this type of gastritis occurs when the body attacks the cells that make up the lining of the stomach. This reaction can be worn in the stomach of the protective barrier.

Autoimmune gastritis is more common in people with other autoimmune disorders. These include Hashimoto's disease and type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune gastritis may also be associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Complications

Left untreated, gastritis may lead to stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. Rarely, some forms of chronic gastritis may increase the risk of stomach cancer. This risk is higher if you have extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining of the cells.

Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not improve despite treatment for gastritis.

Diagnosis

Your health care professional is likely to suspect gastritis after talking with you about your medical history and perform an examination. However, you can also have one or more of the following tests to find the exact cause.

  • Tests for H. pylori.Su health care professional may recommend tests, such as a test or a breath test to determine if you have H. pylori. What type of proof that you have depends on your situation. For the breath test, drink a small glass of clear, tasteless liquid that contains radioactive carbon. H. pylori germs break the test liquid in your stomach. Later, you blow into a bag, which is sealed. If you are infected with H. pylori, the breath sample will contain radioactive carbon.
  • Pass a thin, flexible tube through the throat, called an endoscopy.Endoscopy is a procedure to examine the digestive system with a long, thin tube with a small camera, called an endoscope. The endoscope passes through the throat into the esophagus, the stomach and the small intestine. The use of the endoscope, your health care professional for signs of inflammation. Depending on your age and your medical history, your healthcare provider may recommend this as a first test instead of testing for H. pylori. If a suspicious area is found, your healthcare provider can remove small samples of tissue, called a biopsy, to test in a laboratory. A biopsy may also identify the presence of H. pylori in the stomach.
  • X-ray of the upper part of the digestive system. X-rays can create images of your esophagus, stomach and the small intestine to look for anything unusual. You may have to swallow a white, metallic liquid that contains barium. The liquid coats your digestive tract and makes an ulcer more visible. This procedure is called barium.

Tests for H. pylori. Your health care professional may recommend tests, such as a test or a breath test to determine if you have H. pylori. What type of proof that you have depends on your situation.

For the breath test, drink a small glass of clear, tasteless liquid that contains radioactive carbon. H. pylori germs break the test liquid in your stomach. Later, you blow into a bag, which is sealed. If you are infected with H. pylori, the breath sample will contain radioactive carbon.

Pass a thin, flexible tube through the throat, called an endoscopy. Endoscopy is a procedure to examine the digestive system with a long, thin tube with a small camera, called an endoscope. The endoscope passes through the throat into the esophagus, the stomach and the small intestine. The use of the endoscope, your health care professional for signs of inflammation. Depending on your age and your medical history, your healthcare provider may recommend this as a first test instead of testing for H. pylori.

If a suspicious area is found, your healthcare provider can remove small samples of tissue, called a biopsy, to test in a laboratory. A biopsy may also identify the presence of H. pylori in the stomach.

Treatment

Treatment of gastritis depends on the specific cause. Acute gastritis caused by Nsaids or alcohol can be relieved by stopping use of those substances.

The drugs used for the treatment of gastritis are:

  • Antibiotics to kill h. pylori. For H. pylori infection in your digestive tract, your health care professional may recommend a combination of antibiotics to kill the germs. Be sure to take the full prescription of antibiotics, usually 7 to 14 days. You can also take a medication to block the production of acid. Once treated, your healthcare provider will examine you for H. pylori to ensure that it has been destroyed.
  • Medications that block acid production and promote healing.Medications are called inhibitors of the proton pump to help reduce the acid. They do this by blocking the action of the parts of cells that produce acid. You can get a prescription of inhibitors of the proton pump, or you can buy without a prescription. The long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, especially at high doses, may increase your risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures. Ask your health care provider if calcium supplements may reduce this risk.
  • Medications to reduce acid production. Acid blockers, also called histamine blockers, to reduce the amount of acid that is released into the digestive tract. The reduction of acid relieves gastritis pain and promotes healing. You can get a prescription for an acid blocker, or you can buy without a prescription.
  • Medications that neutralize the acidity of the stomach. Your health care professional may include an antacid in your treatment. Antacids neutralize existing stomach acid and can provide rapid pain relief. These help with the symptoms of immediate relief, but in general it is not used as a primary treatment. Side effects of antacids may include constipation or diarrhea, depending on the main ingredients. Proton pump inhibitors and acid blockers are more effective and have fewer side effects.

Medications that block acid production and promote healing. Medications are called inhibitors of the proton pump to help reduce the acid. They do this by blocking the action of the parts of cells that produce acid. You can get a prescription of inhibitors of the proton pump, or you can buy without a prescription.

The long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, especially at high doses, may increase your risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures. Ask your health care provider if calcium supplements may reduce this risk.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You can find some relief from your symptoms if you:

  • Don' t drink alcohol. Alcohol can irritate the lining of the stomach.
  • Consider changing pain relievers. If the use of pain medications that increase the risk of gastritis, ask your health care provider if acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may be an option for you. This drug is less likely to stir up the stomach problem.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

If your healthcare provider thinks that you could have gastritis, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in digestive disorders, called a gastroenterologist.

Because appointments can be brief, it is a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that do not seem to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking and the dose.
  • Have a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their health care team.

Your time with your health care team is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For gastritis, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • Should I be tested for H. pylori, or do I need an endoscopy?
  • Could any of my medication to be the cause of my condition?
  • What are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take? What sites do you recommend?
  • What is going to determine if I should schedule a follow up visit?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer questions, such as:

  • What are your symptoms?
  • How severe are the symptoms? Can you describe your stomach pain as a little uncomfortable, or burning?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • Does nothing, as the consumption of certain foods seem to make your symptoms worse?
  • Does nothing, as the consumption of certain foods or taking antacids, seem to improve the symptoms?
  • Do you feel nausea or vomiting?
  • You've lost weight recently?
  • How often do you take pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium?
  • How often do you drink alcohol, and how much you drink?
  • How would you rate your stress level?
  • Have you noticed black stools or blood in the stool?
  • Have you ever had an ulcer?

What you can do in the meantime

Before your appointment, avoid drinking alcohol and eating foods that seem to irritate your stomach. These foods may include foods that are spicy, acidic, fried or fatty. But talk with your health care professional before you stop taking any prescription medications that you are taking.

Symptoms and treatment of Gastritis