• Gastritis

An Essential Guide to Gastritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Have you ever experienced unexplained, recurrent stomach pain or nausea that disrupts your daily life? 

These symptoms can be more than just an inconvenience; they might also be early warning signs of a common stomach condition called gastritis. 

Although gastritis is simple to treat, understanding the different methods and knowing when to see a doctor is crucial for taking care of your health.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about managing gastritis, including treatment and prevention tips to help you support your digestive health.

What is Gastritis?

Gastritis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of the stomach lining.

This common condition can affect anyone. However, your risk of developing gastritis increases with age.

There are two types of gastritis:

• Acute gastritis: This form appears suddenly and is typically accompanied by severe symptoms. It can be caused by factors such as medications, alcohol, and bacterial infections.

• Chronic gastritis: Chronic gastritis develops gradually and can lead to a long-term decline in stomach function. It’s often caused by persistent infections or autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms of gastritis

Gastritis can cause a number of digestive symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Common symptoms may include:

• Stomach pain or discomfort 

• Nausea and vomiting 

• Indigestion, including bloating, early satiety after eating, and frequent burping

In severe cases of gastritis, you may develop additional symptoms such as:

• Bloody vomit or stool

• Severe, sharp, and persistent stomach pain

If you develop severe gastritis symptoms, speak to your doctor as soon as possible to avoid any complications.

Common Causes of Gastritis 

Bacterial infections 

Infections, particularly those caused by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium, are the most common cause of gastritis. 

This bacteria can be spread through contact with fecal matter, contaminated food and water, or due to poor hygiene. 

If these bacterial infections are left untreated, it increases the risk of developing issues like peptic ulcers and even stomach cancer.

Medication use

Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — including ibuprofen and aspirin — can irritate the stomach lining and erode its protective layer.

These drugs also inhibit the body’s ability to repair this lining, making the stomach more vulnerable to infection. 

Other medications that contribute to the development of gastritis include corticosteroids and potassium supplements.

Health conditions 

Certain health conditions can make you more susceptible to developing gastritis. These include:

• Bile reflux: This is a condition where bile, a digestive fluid produced in the liver, flows back into the stomach instead of moving into the small intestine. This reflux can irritate and damage your stomach lining, leading to gastritis.

• Autoimmune disorders: In autoimmune gastritis, the body's immune system attacks the cells that make up the stomach lining. This disorder can reduce stomach acid levels, impairing the absorption of nutrients like vitamin B12, and making the stomach more susceptible to gastritis. 

Lifestyle factors 

Various lifestyle factors can contribute to stomach irritation, which can trigger gastritis. These include:

• Stress: Chronic stress can increase stomach acid production and lead to spasms in the intestines. This can cause inflammation, which can contribute to the development of gastritis.

• Alcohol consumption: Regular or excessive alcohol consumption can cause the stomach lining to become inflamed and damaged. Alcohol also irritates the stomach lining and increases acid production which can worsen gastritis symptoms.

How is Gastritis Diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose gastritis to ensure you get the proper treatment. This diagnostic process may involve: 

• Clinical evaluation: This is when your doctor asks about your symptoms and takes your medical history, noting your medication use, alcohol consumption, and history of digestive disorders. 

• Diagnostic tests: The next steps involve blood, stool, and breath tests, which allow the doctor to detect the presence of gastritis-causing bacteria. In some cases, they may also recommend an endoscopy — a procedure that involves inserting a camera tube down the throat to examine the stomach lining — or X-rays of the upper digestive tract.

Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor may recommend further evaluations.

This typically involves a gastric function test, which measures the stomach’s ability to release enzymes and acids. These tests are typically only used if autoimmune gastritis is suspected.

Once your results are confirmed, your doctor will provide you with a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Can Gastritis Be Treated?

Medication 

Most cases of gastritis can be treated with OTC and prescription medications. Your doctor may recommend:

• Antacids: OTC antacids provide quick relief by neutralizing stomach acid and alleviating pain and indigestion.

• H2 receptor blockers: Drugs like ranitidine and famotidine reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces, which helps heal the stomach lining and reduce symptoms of gastritis.

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): Medications such as omeprazole and esomeprazole are more potent acid blockers than H2 blockers and are commonly prescribed to treat chronic gastritis.

• Antibiotics: If gastritis is caused by an H. pylori infection, antibiotics are usually prescribed to kill the bacteria. This treatment is often paired with acid-suppressing drugs for more effective results.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Making lifestyle changes and using home remedies alongside medication can improve your gastritis symptoms. These strategies may involve:

• Making dietary changes: Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help ease the symptoms of gastritis. Avoiding spicy, acidic, fried, or fatty foods that can irritate the stomach lining is also helpful.

• Avoiding irritants: Reducing or eliminating common stomach irritants — such as drinking or smoking — can help alleviate gastritis symptoms.

• Practicing stress management: Techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can reduce stress, which may help prevent and alleviate symptoms of gastritis.

• Getting adequate sleep: Ensuring you get enough sleep helps the body manage stress and repair tissue, including the stomach lining. For adults, it’s recommended to get seven to nine hours per night.

Medical intervention 

In severe cases of gastritis, your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatment methods that might include:

• Endoscopic treatment: For cases involving bleeding ulcers or severe damage, endoscopic techniques can be directly employed to treat the affected areas. These involve injecting medications into the bleeding site or using heat or clips to seal off blood vessels in the stomach.

• Surgery: In rare cases — such as when gastritis leads to complications like perforations or severe uncontrolled bleeding — surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the damaged part of the stomach.

Is it Possible to Prevent Gastritis?

While not all forms of gastritis can be prevented, there are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing this condition.

Let’s take a closer look at what those are.

Practical tips

Implementing these tips can help you maintain your stomach and digestive health, reducing the risk of inflammation that may cause gastritis.

• Avoid known irritants: Limit or avoid your use of substances that can irritate the stomach — such as alcohol, spicy foods, and certain medications like NSAIDs.

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals: Large meals can increase stomach pressure and cause irritation. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help manage this.

• Maintain a healthy diet: Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your diet, which can protect the stomach lining. Foods rich in antioxidants may also help reduce inflammation and strengthen the stomach lining to protect it from infection.

• Quit smoking: Smoking can damage the mucus that protects the stomach lining, increasing the risk of gastritis and ulcers.

Managing chronic conditions

If you have a chronic condition, be sure to get regular checkups to manage it. 

Not only can this help reduce uncomfortable symptoms, but these checkups also help prevent conditions like gastritis.

Individuals with chronic conditions often take medications that can increase their risk of developing gastritis.

Regular checkups help your doctor monitor your condition and allow them to make necessary changes to your treatment plan to manage your symptoms better.

When Should You See a Doctor About Gastritis?

Although gastritis can usually be managed at home without medical treatment, it’s important to know when to see a doctor about your symptoms. 

Untreated symptoms can often lead to more serious complications that could affect your overall quality of life. 

Consult your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Persistent symptoms that don’t improve despite treatment 

• Severe symptoms, including sharp and persistent stomach pain, repeated vomiting, and blood in the stool

• Unintentional weight loss

• Frequently using NSAIDs for pain relief, consuming alcohol regularly, or smoking

• Known or suspected exposure to H. pylori 

These symptoms may indicate severe forms of gastritis, but they can also be early warning signs of more serious illnesses.

Consulting your doctor allows you to get prompt medical treatment and avoid further complications. 

Where Can You Learn More About Gastritis and Similar Conditions?

At LifeMD, our licensed doctors and nurses can help you manage issues like gastritis from the comfort of your own home.

A team of medical professionals can assist you with lab orders, medications, prescriptions, and advice to cope with painful or uncomfortable symptoms.

Skip the waiting room and consult with board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners online. Make your appointment today.

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