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Gastritis is a catch-all word for a set of illnesses that all have one thing in common: inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis is most commonly caused by infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers or by the regular use of certain pain medicines. Excessive alcohol consumption might also contribute to gastritis.
Gastritis can emerge quickly (acute gastritis) or gradually over time (chronic gastritis). Gastritis can cause ulcers and an elevated risk of stomach cancer in some circumstances. Gastritis, on the other hand, is usually not serious and heals fast with treatment.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GASTRITIS?
The following are the signs and symptoms of gastritis:
- Gnawing or scorching aching or pain (indigestion) in your upper belly that may worsen or improve with food
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- After eating, you may experience a feeling of fullness in your upper belly.
- Gastritis does not usually cause symptoms.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GASTRITIS?
Gastritis is a stomach lining irritation. Weaknesses or damage to the mucus-lined barrier that covers the stomach wall allow digestive fluids to harm and inflame the lining. A multitude of disorders and conditions, including inflammatory ailments such as Crohn's disease, might raise the risk of gastritis.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR GASTRITIS?
The following factors enhance your risk of gastritis:
- Infection caused by bacteria: Although Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common human diseases globally, only a small percentage of those infected suffer gastritis or other upper gastrointestinal illnesses. Doctors believe the bacterium's susceptibility can be inherited or caused by lifestyle decisions such as smoking and food.
- Getting older: Gastritis is more common in elderly people because the stomach lining thins with age and because older people are more likely than younger people to have H. pylori infection or autoimmune illnesses.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol can irritate and damage the stomach lining, making it more sensitive to digestive juices. Excessive alcohol use increases the risk of acute gastritis.
- Stress: Acute gastritis can be caused by significant stress such as major surgery, injuries, burns, or serious infections.
- Cancer therapy: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can both raise your risk of gastritis.
- Use of pain medications on a regular basis: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDS), which include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS), can cause both acute and chronic gastritis. Using these pain medicines on a daily basis or taking too many of them may cause a decrease in a vital substance that helps preserve the protective lining of your stomach.
- Other diseases and conditions: Gastritis can be linked to other medical disorders such as HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, sarcoidosis, and parasite infections.
- Your own body targeting stomach cells: This type of gastritis, known as autoimmune gastritis, develops when your body assaults the cells that make up your stomach lining. This reaction has the potential to erode your stomach's protective barrier.
People with other autoimmune illnesses, such as Hashimoto's disease and type 1 diabetes, are more likely to develop autoimmune gastritis. Vitamin B-12 deficiency has also been linked to autoimmune gastritis.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF GASTRITIS?
Gastritis, if left untreated, can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. Some types of chronic gastritis may raise your risk of stomach cancer in rare cases, especially if you have substantial thinning of the stomach lining and alterations in the cells of the lining.
Inform your doctor if your signs and symptoms do not improve despite gastritis medication.
HOW IS GASTRITIS DIAGNOSED?
Although your doctor is likely to suspect gastritis after discussing your medical history and completing a checkup, you may also undergo one or more of the following tests to determine the specific cause.
- Tests for H. pylori: To identify whether you have the bacterium H. pylori, your doctor may offer testing such as a stool test or a breath test. The type of test you take is determined on your circumstances.
You swallow a small glass of transparent, tasteless liquid containing radioactive carbon for the breath test. In your stomach, H. pylori bacteria break down the test liquid. You then blow into a bag, which is subsequently sealed. If you have H. pylori, your breath sample will contain radioactive carbon.
- Examining your upper digestive tract with a scope (endoscopy): Endoscopy involves your doctor inserting a flexible tube with a lens (endoscope) down your neck and into your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Your doctor examines the endoscope for symptoms of inflammation. Your doctor may recommend this as a first test instead of testing for H. pylori, depending on your age and medical history.
If a worrisome area is discovered, your doctor may take small tissue samples (biopsy) for testing at a laboratory. A biopsy can also detect the presence of H. pylori in the lining of your stomach.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR GASTRITIS?
The treatment of gastritis is determined by the underlying cause. Stopping the usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or alcohol may help treat acute gastritis.
Among the medications used to treat gastritis are:
- Antibiotics used to kill H. pylori: To destroy H. pylori in the digestive tract, your doctor may prescribe a combination of antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin XL) and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, and others) or metronidazole (Flagyl). Take the entire antibiotic prescription, which is normally for 7 to 14 days, as well as the acid-blocking drug. After treatment, your doctor will retest you for H. pylori to ensure that it has been eradicated.
- Acid-blocking medications that aid healing: Proton pump inhibitors lower acid levels by inhibiting the action of the components of the cell that create acid. Prescription and over-the-counter medications such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and others fall into this category.
Proton pump inhibitors, especially at high doses, may raise the risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures over time. Consult your doctor to see if a calcium supplement can help minimize this risk.
- Acid-reducing medications: Acid blockers, also known as histamine (H-2) blockers, lower the amount of acid released into your digestive tract, relieving discomfort and promoting healing. Acid blockers, which are available by prescription or over the counter, include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet HB), and nizatidine (Axid AR).
- Acid-neutralizing medications: Your doctor may prescribe an antacid as part of your medication prescription. Antacids neutralize stomach acid and might provide immediate pain relief. Depending on the major constituents, side effects may include constipation or diarrhea. These provide quick symptom alleviation but are not typically used as a primary treatment. Acid blockers and proton pump inhibitors are more effective and have fewer negative effects.