Gastritis is the inflammation of the membrane that lines the stomach and protects it from gastric juices produced to aid digestive processes. It is widespread for gastritis to be confused with other conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn, so to be sure and to be able to treat it correctly, it is necessary to perform a gastroscopy. This ailment can occur for a short time or months, or years. At FastlyHeal, we will explain gastritis’s symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Table of Contents
Types of gastritis
To know gastritis in-depth, we must understand the types that exist:
- Acute gastritis, which is classified as phlegmonous gastritis, is very common in patients with chronic diseases where the immune system is relatively weakened and hemorrhagic, which are usually the most frequent and can become fatal and produce ulcers. They typically last a short time.
- Chronic gastritis: is characterized by a longer duration of months or years and is due to inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by Helicobacter pylori. This type of gastritis is subdivided into lymphocytic, eosinophilic, and granulomatous and is more likely to develop stomach cancer. They tend to be more common in older people than in young people.
Symptoms of gastritis
The symptoms of gastritis can vary from person to person, but generally, the most common are:
- Inappetence.
- Sickness.
- Vomiting
- Bloody stools.
- Pain in the abdomen
- Ardor.
- Belching
Causes of gastritis
The causes of gastritis are as follows:
- You are abusing alcoholic beverages.
- You are taking aspirin and pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
- Infections by Helicobacter pylori.
Additionally, other less common causes should be paid attention to:
- Bile reflux
- Disorders such as pernicious anemia.
- Virus infections, especially in people with weak immune systems.
- Ingest corrosive substances.
- Consumption of drugs.
- Stress.Treatment for gastritis
The way to diagnose gastritis can be through a blood test, an examination to determine if the inflammation is due to H.pylori, a stool examination, or an endoscopy. Everything will depend on the severity of gastritis.
In most cases, the treatment of gastritis will depend on the cause, and it usually goes away with time. There are different treatment options for acute gastritis, but it is based mainly on changes inhabits. As for drugs, H2 antagonists can be prescribed to help reduce the production of gastric acids, antacids, or sucralfate which help to avoid an excessively acidic pH and prevent ulcers.
In the case of chronic gastritis, the treatment will be personalized. If Helicobacter pylori cause it, the most common is to use antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, which will help reduce gastric acids. If gastritis is due to pernicious anemia, vitamin B12 complexes and iron supplements will be indefinite.
When to go to the doctor?
If you suffer from any of these symptoms and you think they have worsened since their appearance, you should consult with your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis of the disease and be able to treat it in time. The outlook will depend on the cause, but it is generally reasonable. If you have the following symptoms, do not hesitate to see a doctor:
- Pain in the abdomen or belly that does not go away.
- Vomiting blood
- Black stools
Other recommendations
Here are some recommendations to improve the symptoms of gastritis, especially if it is acute gastritis:
- It is necessary to take a diet for gastritis.
- Avoid irritating substances such as coffee and alcohol or medications that can continue to irritate the gastric mucosa.
- Do not eat food that is too hot or cold.
- Please stick to your schedule when it comes to eating.
- Increase the consumption of sweet, ripe, and skinless fruits.
- Don’t do long fasts.
- If you consume dairy, you prefer skimmed ones.
- Eat five meals a day and eat small portions.
- Avoid cigarettes.
- Take digestive infusions.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Gastritis: symptoms, causes, and treatment, we recommend that you enter our Digestive System category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.