Medicines for gastritis

Have you felt a burning in your stomach? Have you had nausea and vomiting? Do you have a feeling of fullness? If so, it is time to go to the doctor for a complete evaluation; it is essential to be attentive to these symptoms since you may be suffering from gastritis.

Although it is sometimes mistaken for dyspepsia (indigestion), gastritis is an inflammatory process of the inner layer that lines the stomach, the mucous layer. The causes are varied and require specific treatment. At FastlyHeal, we will talk to you about which are the best medicines to treat gastritis, and, in addition, we will mention the natural remedies that you can use if you have any of these symptoms.

Gastritis symptoms

The United States National Library of Medicine (NIH) [1] defines gastritis as an inflammatory process of the lining of the stomach, that is, the mucosa, producing an inflammatory process of it. Its duration can be for a short time, called acute gastritis, or it can last for months or years, called chronic gastritis.

The risk factors by which injury to the stomach lining can be triggered are related to:

1. Age: age is an essential factor, with older people being more vulnerable to gastritis.
2. Drugs: the use of drugs from the NSAID group is related to the probability of suffering from the symptoms generated by gastritis.
3. Alcohol: high alcohol consumption can wear down the stomach lining, making it much more vulnerable to the digestive juices found in it usually.

Even though most of the time, gastritis occurs asymptomatically, that is, without the clinical manifestation of any symptoms, the common symptoms include:

• I am feeling pain, burning, and heartburn in the stomach.
• Sickness.
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling of fullness

Causes of gastritis

• Bacterial infection: in the first place, gastritis can be caused by an infectious process of a bacterial type, expressly, Helicobacter Pylori. The Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene [2] states that Helicobacter Pylori was initially observed in patients with gastritis; on the other hand, it can be associated with peptic ulcer, lymphoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma.
• Bile reflux: there is a return of bile to the stomach, generating an inflammatory process of the gastric mucosa.
• Analgesics: the use of drugs such as, for example, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen reduces the protective substance of the stomach lining, this being one of the causes by which gastritis can occur.
• Autoimmune disease: an autoimmune disease in the body, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, can trigger the classic manifestation of gastritis. This occurs because the body itself attacks the cells that form the protective bar of the stomach.

Gastritis drugs: proton pump inhibitors

The appropriate treatment will be indicated once the doctor makes the proper assessment and the right tests, such as endoscopy and biopsy, to make the precise diagnosis of acute or chronic gastritis.

First, within the pharmacological treatment of gastritis, we find the proton pump inhibitors commonly known as (gastric protectors) omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, and pantoprazole. These drugs are responsible for blocking the production of stomach acid; that is, they reduce acid secretion by inhibiting the enzyme in the stomach lining cells.

The omeprazole and esomeprazole come in capsule presentations of 10 and 20 mg, lansoprazole comes in capsule presentations 15 and 30 mg, and finally, it comes in indications of pantoprazole capsules of 20 and 40 mg.

If the symptoms are mild, the dose will be 20 mg a day for at least 15 days. In case of worsening symptoms, the amount can reach up to 40 mg per day. Proton pump inhibitors are administered 30 minutes before the first meal, that is, on an empty stomach.

These types of gastritis medications have few side effects; in fact, they are considered tolerable drugs by many people. However, it is essential to take into consideration, according to the United States National Library of Medicine (NIH) [3], that the symptoms that may occur after the administration of proton pump inhibitors are:

• Headache.
• Diarrhea.
• Sickness.
• Constipation.

Before any manifestation of these symptoms, it is essential to see a doctor.

Antacid medications for gastritis

On the other hand, to treat gastritis, it is essential to administer medications that help combat the acidity produced by the stomach. Typically, this group of drugs includes:

• Maalox
• Pepto Bismol
• Alka Seltzer
• Mylanta

They combine three main antacids: magnesium, aluminum with hydroxide, and calcium ions.

These drugs come in syrup, chewable, or effervescent forms. The recommended dose and route of administration is a tablespoon or one chewable tablet every 8 hours; consumption is not recommended in children under 12 years of age.

The most common adverse reactions from the administration of antacids are the presence of nausea, stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea.

Medicines for gastritis: H2 blockers

The drugs responsible for reducing the amount of gastric acid secretion and, in this way, alleviating the symptoms of acid reflux are called H2 blockers.

H2 blockers are also known as:

• Famotidine
• Cimetidine
• Ranitidine
• Nizatidine

These medications come in tablet, capsule, or syrup presentations; it is recommended to take them once a day, specifically in conjunction with the first meal or before dinner, without extending their administration for more than two weeks.

Side effects are inherent to each type of H2 blocker, standing out as a side effect after the administration of ranitidine and famotidine, the presence of headache or headache, while in the case of cimetidine, side effects include dizziness, diarrhea, headache, and gynecomastia, as explained by the United States National Library of Medicine (NIH) [4].

It is essential to consider that in the presence of Helicobacter Pylori bacteria, treatment should include the administration of two antibiotics together, amoxicillin and clarithromycin, generally every 12 hours for 14-21 days.

Natural treatment of gastritis

To treat the bothersome symptoms of gastritis, some natural remedies can help, such as:

1. Licorice: licorice fights the infectious and inflammatory digestive process using the dried root to prepare tea.
2. Ginger: prepared in tea or juice generates a feeling of relief for people suffering from gastritis.
3. Raw potato: a potato previously peeled, ground, and mixed with half a glass of water provides relief for people with irritation of the gastric mucosa.

In the following article, you can see more home remedies for gastritis .

Gastritis is a pathology that affects anyone. Currently, there are effective medications that relieve annoying symptoms after irritation of the gastric mucosa. However, it is essential to visit the doctor, who will indicate the dose and the ideal route of administration individually, depending on the symptoms and characteristics of each patient.

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 Medicines for gastritis , we recommend that you enter our Digestive System category .

References

1. Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de los EE. UU. (NIH). Gastritis. Disponible en: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001150.htm
2. Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de los EE. UU. (NIH). Proton pump inhibitors. Disponible en: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000381.htm
3. Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de los EE. UU. (NIH). H2 blockers. Disponible en: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000382.htm

Alivia Nyhan

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.