Treatment of Gastritis
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Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, which occurs as a result of erosion or irritation. There are two main types of gastritis: chronic and acute. Chronic gastritis develops gradually and can be latent for several days before any symptoms, such as pain and digestive problems, appear. Acute gastritis develops suddenly and has symptoms similar to food poisoning. Long-term alcohol consumption can cause gastritis. Over-consumption of alcohol can irritate the lining of the stomach and cause it to become inflamed. Acid reflux, or other conditions that cause chronic vomiting can also contribute to the development of gastritis.
Pylori bacteria, which lives in the mucous of the stomach lining, can cause many stomach diseases and conditions such as gastritis. Stress and bad dietary habits can contribute to the development of chronic gastritis. Certain infections, both bacterial and viral, can also put a person at risk of developing gastritis.
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Vomiting with blood
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Burning feeling in the stomach
- General discomfort after eating meals or at night
- During a general examination, the doctor will ask the patient about their symptoms and medical history, to determine whether or not they have had any stomach illnesses before.
- An endoscopy allows doctors to examine the inside of the stomach for signs of irritation and inflammation. A special thin tube with a camera and light at the end of it is fed down the patient’s throat into the stomach. This test is not painful, although it may be described as unpleasant.
- A stool test can determine whether the patient passes any blood when going to the bathroom, which is another indicator of gastritis.
- A full blood count test can determine whether the patient has any viral or bacterial infections. If so, this could be causing symptoms similar to gastritis or be its underlying cause.
- Conservative treatment should be enough to get rid of gastritis. Antacids may be prescribed, to reduce the activity of stomach acid and prevent vomiting. These drugs are also used to normalize digestion. Special antibiotics can be prescribed if gastritis was caused by bacterial infection. Also, the patient will need to follow certain dietary restrictions in order to avoid irritating the stomach. Dairy and gluten products are usually excluded from the menu.
Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko
