Gastritis : Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment

What is Gastritis?

Gastritis is a term for a group of conditions that all involve inflammation of the stomach lining. This inflammation is most often caused by infection with the same bacteria that causes ulcers in the stomach. People who regularly use certain pain relievers and drink alcohol can also develop gastritis. Drinking too much alcohol can cause gastritis.

Gastritis

Acute gastritis is a sudden occurrence of gastritis, which may lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For the majority of people, however, gastritis is not a serious condition and improves quickly with treatment.

1. Digestive system

Medical terms

• Your abdomen includes a protecting lining of mucous secretion known as the tissue layer. This lining protects your abdomen from the sturdy abdomen acid that digests food. Once one thing damages or weakens this protecting lining, the tissue layer becomes inflamed, inflicting redness. A sort of microorganism known as Helicobacter pylori is the commonest microorganism reason behind redness.

What’s the difference between gastritis and indigestion?

Gastritis symptoms will mimic dyspepsia symptoms. upset {stomach|symptom} is pain or discomfort within the stomach related to problems in digesting food. it should be a sense of burning between your lower ribs. you will hear dyspepsia spoken by its medical term, dyspepsia.

How common is gastritis?

Acute (sudden) redness effects concerning eight out of each one,000 people. Chronic, long-run redness is a smaller amount common. It affects roughly a pair of out of ten,000 people.

Who might get gastritis?

Your risk of developing inflammation goes up with age. Older adults have diluent abdomen linings, shriveled circulation and slower metabolism and tissue layer repair. Older adults also are additional doubtless to get on medications like anti-inflammatory drug medication (NSAIDs) that may cause inflammation. a common fraction of the world's population is infected with H. pylori. As luck would have it, it's less common within the us. Within the US, H. pylori is found additionally in older adults and lower socioeconomic teams.

Types of gastritis

There are two main types of gastritis:

• Erosive (reactive):Erosive rubor causes each inflammation and erosion (wearing away) of the abdomen lining. This condition is additionally called reactive rubor. Causes embody alcohol, smoking, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, infective agent or microorganism infections and stress from diseases or injuries.

• Non-erosive: Inflammation of the abdomen lining while not erosion or compromising the abdomen lining.

Symptoms Gastritis

The signs and symptoms of gastritis include: 1) pain in the stomach area, especially after eating; 2) discomfort when swallowing; and 3) vomiting or diarrhea.

• You may experience an ache or pain in your upper abdomen when you eat, which may either get worse or better depending on what you eat.

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• After eating, you might feel full and comfortable in your upper abdomen.

Gastritis can sometimes go undetected.

If you are not feeling well, it is a good idea to see a doctor.

Most people experience occasional bouts of indigestion and stomach irritation. These episodes don't always require medical attention, but if you have signs and symptoms of gastritis for a week or more, see your doctor. If you experience stomach discomfort after taking anything, tell your doctor. Acetaminophen (such as aspirin) or other pain relievers are usually prescribed by a doctor.

If you are vomiting blood and your stool samples have blood in them, or if your stool appears black, see a doctor as soon as possible to find out the cause.

Causes Gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. This can happen if the mucus-lined barrier that protects your stomach wall is weakened or injured. Many diseases and conditions can increase your risk of gastritis, including Crohn's disease. Disease and sarcoidosis are conditions in which collections of inflammatory cells develop in the body.

Risk factors Gastritis

There are some things that increase your risk of developing gastritis, such as:

• Bacterial infection. Some people who have Helicobacter pylori infection don't develop upper gastrointestinal problems, such as gastritis. Doctors think this might be because of a person's genes or because of their lifestyle choices. These factors can contribute to heart disease, such as smoking and a poor diet.

• Regular use of pain relievers. Taking pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), and naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox) can cause both acute and chronic gastritis. If you use these drugs regularly or take too many of them, your body may not have enough of a substance that helps protect the stomach's lining. The protective lining of your stomach helps to keep food inside your stomach.

• Older adults have a higher risk of gastritis because their stomach lining becomes thinner with age and because older adults are more likely to have H. pylori infection or autoimmune disorders than younger people are.

• Drinking too much alcohol.Alcohol can irritate and damage your stomach lining, making it more susceptible to digestive juices. Drinking too much alcohol is more likely to cause acute gastritis.

• Stress.If you experience major surgery injury or a severe infection, you can develop acute gastritis.

• Your body is attacking cells in your stomach.Autoimmune gastritis is a condition in which your body attacks the cells that make up your stomach lining. This can cause your stomach's protective barrier to wear away.
  Autoimmune gastritis is more common in people who have other autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto's disease and type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune gastritis can also be associated with a lack of vitamin B-12.

• Other diseases and conditions.Gastritis may be a sign of other medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, and parasitic infections.

Complications Gastritis

untreated gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. Rarely, some forms of chronic gastritis may increase your risk of developing stomach cancer, especially if you have extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining's cells.

If your symptoms are not improving after being treated for gastritis, tell your doctor.

How long does gastritis take to heal?

Gastritis is a generic term used to describe inflammation of the lining of the stomach This inflammation can be caused by heartburn stress or excess acidity in the stomach Other symptoms that may accompany gastritis are nausea vomiting and diarrhea Most cases resolve themselves within four to six weeks To help speed up healing you should avoid drinking alcohol using tobacco products and eating spicy foods You should also reduce your overall stress levels by practicing proper breathing techniques and participating in relaxation exercises like yoga or meditation If these natural remedies fail to improve your condition after one month seek medical attention from a doctor who specializes in gastro.

What foods can cure gastritis?

The symptoms of gastritis include: abdominal pain gas and bloating (feelings of fullness or tightness) nausea vomiting loss of appetite and weight loss Most people with the disease can lead a normal life if they eat small meals throughout the day avoid spicy foods and alcohol while following an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of fruits and vegetables in season However if your symptoms persist more than two weeks after diagnosis or interfere with your daily activities you should seek further advice from your doctor.

Does gastritis go away?

Gastritis does not go away on its own It can be treated with medication or in some cases may even require surgery however once the condition is managed the treatment needs to be continued for the long term The prognosis of this serious medical condition depends on how quickly your doctor diagnoses it and if you follow through with all that it takes to recover from this terrible disease.

Is banana good for gastritis?

Gastritis refers to inflammation of the stomach lining The most common symptom is stomach pain but other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting upper abdominal cramps bloating loss of appetite and weight loss There are three types of gastritis: acute (short term) chronic (long term) and atrophic (thinning) Gastritis can be caused by a bacterial infection from Helicobacter pylori bacteria or it can be related to an empty stomach or stress Bananas contain fiber which helps soothe your stomach lining as well as reduce inflammation Bananas also get digested slowly because they contain resistant starch.

What are the warning signs of gastritis?

The most common warning sign of gastritis is abdominal pain Other symptoms include nausea bloating and vomiting Yellowing of the eyes and skin as well as a loss of appetite may also occur The severity of these symptoms varies greatly person to person Some people suffer from minimal discomfort while others are debilitated by their symptoms for weeks at a time.

Where is the pain located with gastritis?

There are two main types of gastritis: exogenous and endogenous Exogenous occurs as a result of an outside typically viral cause It can also develop over time as a result of taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other medication with side effects that damage stomach tissue Endogenous gastritis is related to the body’s production of abnormal stomach acid — too much too little or the wrong kind — which causes irritation and inflammation on the inner lining of your stomach Pain may spread to other areas in your abdomen including the left shoulder blade middle upper abdomen and back between shoulder blades You.

How can I permanently cure gastritis?

Cranberries have been associated with aiding in the digestion of fatty foods due to their high fiber content and acidity They also contain vitamin C (which is a potent antioxidant) as well as other nutrients that aid in strengthening the immune system Research suggests they may help reduce Helicobacter pylori a type of bacteria that causes peptic ulcers and gastritis.

Prevention Gastritis

We're not sure how H. pylori spreads, but there is some evidence that it can be transmitted from person to person or through contaminated food and water. You can take steps to protect yourself from infections, such as H. pylori, by frequently washing your hands with soap and water and by avoiding contact with people who are sick. Do not eat uncooked foods.

Diagnosis Gastritis

Your doctor may have a few tests to determine the cause of your gastritis. These tests may include talking to you about your medical history and performing an exam.

• Tests for H. pylori.Your doctor may recommend tests to determine whether you have the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Which test you undergo depends on your situation. H. pylori may be detected in a blood test, a stool test, or by a breath test.
  You drink a small glass of clear liquid that contains radioactive carbon. The H. pylori bacteria will break it down in your stomach. Later you blow into a bag, and the bag is then sealed. If you have H. pylori, your breath sample will contain the radioactive isotope. Carbon is an element.

• I will have an endoscopy to examine my upper digestive system.During an endoscopy, your doctor passes a flexible tube down your throat and into your stomach and small intestine. By looking through the endoscope, your doctor can detect signs of inflammation.
  If you find a suspicious area on your skin, your doctor may take small tissue samples (biopsy) for laboratory examination. A biopsy can also determine if you have Helicobacter pylori in your stomach lining.

• X-ray of your upper digestive system.A barium swallow or upper gastrointestinal series of X-rays creates images of your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine to look for abnormalities. If you have an ulcer, you may swallow a white metallic liquid that will coat your digestive tract.

Video: Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to see your upper digestive system by inserting a long, flexible tube down your throat and into your esophagus. Sometimes a fiber-optic endoscope has a light and tiny camera at the end.

Your doctor can view images of your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine on a video monitor in the exam room using this device.

If your doctor sees something unusual while looking through the endoscope, such as polyps or cancer, he or she may use special surgical tools to remove the tissue or collect a sample for further examination.

Treatment Gastritis

Acute gastritis can be treated in different ways depending on the cause. If it is caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol, stopping use of those substances may relieve the symptoms.

Gastritis medications include:

• Antibiotics are used to kill the H. pylori bacteria.If you have H. pylori in your digestive tract, your doctor may recommend a combination of antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) and amoxicillin (Amoxil Augmentin others). Or metronidazole (Flagyl). Take the full prescription for seven to fourteen days.

• Medicines that reduce acid production and promote healing.Proton pump inhibitors reduce acid by blocking the actions of the parts of cells that produce acid. These medications include prescription and over-the-counter medications such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), esomeprazole (Nexium), and dexlansoprazole (Dexilant).Pantoprazole (Protonix) is a medication that cures stomach problems.
  Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can increase your risk of hip fractures, wrist fractures, and spine fractures over time. Talk to your doctor to see if a calcium supplement may reduce this risk.

• Medications to reduce acid production. Acid blockers reduce the amount of acid that is released into your digestive system, which relieves gastritis pain and encourages healing. Some types of acid blockers include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet HB), and ranitidine (Zantac). These medications can be purchased over-the-counter or through a prescription. This medication is called Axid AR.

• Antacids that neutralize stomach acid.An antacid can be included in your drug regimen to relieve pain and stop the stomach from producing acid. Side effects may include diarrhea or constipation depending on the main ingredients.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you experience symptoms, some relief may be found by following these steps:

• Eat smaller, more-frequent meals.If you have trouble digesting food, eat smaller meals more often. That way, your stomach will have less acid to deal with.

• Avoid irritating foods.Avoid foods that make your stomach feel irritated, especially those that are spicy, acidic, or fatty.

• Avoid alcohol.Alcohol can make your stomach feel irritated.

• Consider switching pain relievers.If you use pain relievers that may increase your risk of gastritis, ask your doctor whether acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may be a suitable option for you. This medication is less likely to aggravate your stomach problem.

Preparing for your appointment

If your doctor thinks you may have gastritis, you may be referred to a specialist in digestive disorders (gastroenterologist).

What you can do

• Be aware of any restrictions that may be in place before your appointment.When you make your appointment, ask if anything needs to be done in advance, such as restricting your diet.

• Write down any symptoms you are experiencing.You should bring any materials that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

• Write down important personal information.A lot has happened recently, or you're feeling a lot of stress.

• Make a list of all medications,Which vitamins or supplements are you taking?

• Consider taking someone along.Someone who accompanies you may be able to remember something that you have missed or forgotten.

• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Making a list of questions will help you have the most fruitful doctor visit. Questions to ask your doctor about gastritis may include:

• What could be causing my symptoms or condition?

• Could any of my medications be causing my symptoms?

• What are some other potential causes of my symptoms or condition?

• What tests do I need?

• What is the likelihood of my condition being temporary or chronic?

• What is the best course of action?

• What are some other ways to do what you're suggesting?

• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

• Do I need to follow any specific guidelines?

• Should I see a specialist?

• Do you have any other medications that could be used in place of the one you're prescribing?

• Can I take any brochures or printed materials with me? Can you recommend any websites?

• What will determine whether I should schedule a follow-up visit? The answer to this question will depend on the results of my initial visit.

Do not be afraid to ask more questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will likely ask you a number of questions, including:

• What are your symptoms?

• What are your symptoms? How uncomfortable are they? Do you feel the pain in your stomach as mild or as burning?

• Do your symptoms occur constantly or sporadically?

• Do you think eating certain foods might make your symptoms worse?

• Do you think eating certain foods or taking antacids might help improve your symptoms?

• Do you experience any nausea or vomiting?

• Have you recently lost weight?

• How often do you take painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen?

• How much alcohol do you drink on a regular basis, and how often?

• How would you rate your stress level?

• Have you noticed any black feces or blood in your stool?

• Have you ever had an ulcer?

What you can do in the meantime

Before your appointment, avoid drinking alcohol and eating foods that may make your stomach upset. But talk to your doctor before stopping any prescription medications you're taking.

General summary

1. The main treatment for gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining is prescription medications to suppress acid production Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prilosec and Nexium were originally developed to reduce gastric secretions in people with stomach ulcers But they soon became a popular treatment option for those with gastritis that followed successful removal of an ulcer.