Gastritis

Jun 21

2 min read

Updated: Jun 22

What is it?

https://www.apollo247.com/health-topics/gastritis/what-causes-gastritis

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach’s protective lining, which can occur suddenly or slowly over time, acute or chronic respectively. It occurs when the immune system identifies the mucosa (a lining exposed by a soft tissue that protects stomach from acids, enzymes, microorganisms) in jeopardy from outside agents and thus triggers inflammation to fight said infections and encourage healing. It is important to note there are specific cases of Gastritis that can be autoimmune disease while some aren’t.

Severity/Complications

Mild vs Severe: The degree of inflammation (dependent on the density of immune cells) and tissue damage (from gland loss or atrophy) determines the level of severity.

Short-term (acute) irritation: Sudden and intense inflammation that usually resolves quickly once the underlying irritant is removed.

Long-term (chronic) damage: Persistent inflammation that develops slowly and can last for months or years.

Left untreated: May lead to stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. Common with other gut conditions and disease, some forms of chronic gastritis can increase risk of stomach cancer, especially of individuals, such as extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining’s cells.

Symptoms

Indigestion in the upper belly, sometimes worsening after eating.
Nausea
Vomiting or recurrent upset stomach
Loss of appetite
A feeling of fullness in upper abdomen after meal
Tar-like stools

What causes it/ Risk factors

Weakness or injury to the mucosa, which can allow for digestive juices to damage and inflame the stomach lining
Previous inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease, can increase the risk of gastritis.
Bacterial infection
Aging
Excessive alcohol use
Stress
Cancer treatment
Regular use of pain relievers

Treatment

Medications
- Proton Pump Inhibitors - aim to block the pumps that produce stomach acid to promote healing
- H2 Blockers - acid reducers
- Antacids - neutralize Exist stomach acid for temporary pain relief but not a permanent treatment
- Antibiotics - often given alongside PPI
- Mucoprotective agents - coat the stomach and protect the damaged lining from further irritation
Dietary Adjustments
- Avoiding irritations - alcohol, caffeine spic foods, and highly acidi items
- Smaller meals
- Soothing foods - easily digestible lotions
- Probiotic
Lifestyle Changes
- Reducing/stopping NSAIDs - over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen as they can irritate and damage the stomach lining
- Reduce stress to avoid excess production of stomach acid