How to relieve a stomach ache from gastritis

Suffering from gastritis is very common. According to the World Health Organization, it is one of the pathologies for which patients consult the most around the world. More than 80% of the world’s population has suffered from it and it is common in both men and women of all ages. Although at present this condition has increased in younger people.

The gastritis is the inflammation of the mucosa that lines the walls of the stomach ; sometimes it can also affect the esophagus. This inflammation can occur for different causes and produce acute gastritis, if it is a short episode, or turn into chronic gastritis if it lasts for months or years.

Currently, most cases are related to Helicobacter pylori , a bacterium that colonizes the mucosa of the human stomach, which is its only known viable reservoir, although it would be possible that it also grew in the digestive tract of other warm-blooded animals. In addition to being associated with chronic gastritis, there is also evidence that Helicobacter pylori causes peptic and duodenal ulcer, and since 1994 it entered the classification of carcinogenic pathogens.

In developed countries, it is estimated that 50% of individuals have this infection, although only 15% will suffer from gastritis symptoms . On the other hand, in developing countries, the incidence of infection by this pathogen reaches up to 90%. The routes of transmission of this bacterium are still not well understood, but the most common way is thought to be from one individual to another. In addition, Helicobacter pylori is capable of entering a dormant state when it cannot reproduce, and in that state it has been found in water, so this would also be a possible route of transmission. As for contracting the bacteria through food, there is no firm evidence.

In addition to Helicobacter pylori infection, there are other common triggers for gastritis , including:

• Frequent use of non-steroidal anti – inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, which people take many times without medical supervision.
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
• Some autoimmune disorders such as pernicious anemia.
• Poor eating habits such as eating very large meals and not having enough time to eat.

Other less frequent factors are:

• Poisoning.
• Infections from contaminated food.
• Some viral infections such as cytomegalovirus.
• Herpes simplex, which usually affects immunosuppressed patients.
• The reflux of bile into the stomach.
• A trigger that takes more and more strength due to today’s hectic life, is stress, anxiety and other emotional factors, which cause what has been called, nervous gastritis.

The gastritis does not always produce symptoms . But undoubtedly most people have suffered stomach upset or indigestion from having eaten too much or from having ingested an irritating or contaminated food. What is important to take into account is whether these stomach discomforts last for a long time or appear on a recurring basis. In that case, it is advisable to go to a medical consultation because although in many cases gastritis can be cured, in others, due to lack of treatment it can evolve into much more serious diseases, such as stomach ulcers and even stomach cancer.

The most common symptoms of gastritis are:

• Burning or pain in the upper abdomen or pit of the stomach, which may be better or worse when eating.
• Occasional nausea or vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Indigestion or heaviness after meals.
• Lack of appetite.
• Bleeding from the mouth or blood in the stool , which may not be obvious and eventually lead to anemia.
• Bad taste in the mouth.
• Flatulence and bloating .

To alleviate the symptoms of gastritis it is important to understand what is irritating the stomach lining. So to help reduce the discomfort you have to attack the causes . It is not enough to take medicines that relieve pain, because if only this symptom is treated, the disease will continue to progress, until it becomes a serious condition. Pain is the body’s way of saying that something is happening, so it is advisable to pay attention to it, find what causes it and attack these causes.

Small changes in habits can often pay off and help improve symptoms significantly. In most cases, when it comes to mild gastritis, a few simple measures can ease the crisis and ease gastritis stomach pain in less than 48 hours. Among these measures are:

• Stop eating when you are in pain crisis so your stomach can rest. For the next 24 hours, just drink water and then start with small bland foods like rice, cooked vegetables, or apple sauce.
• Avoid all anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and ibuprofen.
• Take antacids or acetaminophen to relieve pain, respecting the doctor’s instructions or the instructions on the label.
• Avoid tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and caffeinated beverages while the crisis lasts.

When the stomach pain has passed, it is advisable to incorporate certain changes in your daily life to prevent gastritis episodes from recurring and turning into chronic gastritis. Some habits you can incorporate are:

• Avoid consuming certain foods that irritate the stomach : coffee, pepper, hot sauces, strong condiments, alcohol, citrus fruits (orange, lemon, pineapple, strawberries).
• Avoid other foods that you have identified as difficult to digest.
• Don’t drink carbonated drinks .
• Do not fast or eat too large a meal. Try to eat several light meals throughout the day, trying to respect the schedules (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack and dinner). Chew your food well and eat slowly.
• Reduce the consumption of fats : butter, yellow cheeses, cold cuts, fried foods, junk foods, among others.
• Avoid indiscriminate use of irritating medications such as aspirin.
• Eat more foods rich in fiber : whole grains, legumes, fruits (prefer them whole and not in juice) and vegetables in salads or cooked.

On the other hand, it is very important to bear in mind that stress has an important effect on increasing the secretion of gastric acids, responsible for irritating the stomach. Then, it also helps to use strategies that allow you to drain the stress of daily life, such as exercising several times a week, doing breathing exercises or even doing psychological therapy to learn to understand and handle situations that cause distress. In addition, it can help with nerves doing outdoor activities such as walks and walks that allow you to be in contact with nature and get away from the city routine.

There are also many natural products recommended to relieve stomach pain caused by nervous gastritis such as:

• Chamomile infusions.
• Thyme infusions.
• Mint infusions.

Some of the foods that help reduce inflammation of the gastric walls , which have antibacterial and healing properties and, therefore, can be good remedies for nervous gastritis are:

• Papaya seeds.
• Ginger.
• Licorice.
• Artichoke.
• Fennel
• Potato juice.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to relieve stomach pain from gastritis , we recommend that you enter our Digestive System category .