Gastritis - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

the stomachs lining gets inflamed, irritated, or eroded in gastritis. It may either happen gradually or suddenly. Excess alcohol consumption, chronic vomiting, anxiety, stress, certain medicines like aspirin can all cause gastritis.

The early symptoms of gastritis are as follows:

• Nausea or frequent stomach upset
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Burning sensation
• Hiccups
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting blood
• Black or tarry stools

Also, sweating, rapid heartbeat, feeling faint or short of breath, chest pain or stomach pain may accompany the above-mentioned symptoms.

Following are the causative factors for gastritis:

• H.pylorii Infection: This is a common cause of gastritis and can cause symptoms of indigestion as the bacteria creates inflammation in the lining of the stomach. This is more prevalent in elderly people. H.pylorii stomach infection is normally life-long except it is cured using eradication therapy.
• Excessive use of alcohol or drugs
• Consumption of ibuprofen, aspirin, or any other painkillers from the class of NSAIDs.
• Critical illness, injury or major surgery.
• Autoimmune reaction - In this condition, the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and stomach lining.

A person should meet a doctor if the symptoms of acidity or gastritis appear more than two times a week. The physician normally recommends antacids to give aid against the symptoms. A doctor may also suggest these tests:

• pH monitoring: This test is carried out to verify the presence of acid in the oesophagus. Under pH monitoring, a device is put inside the oesophagus to measure the amount of acid.
• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: Through this, a medical expert is enabled to examine the lining of the stomach and the oesophagus. A thin flexible tube equipped with light and camera is inserted into the throat to check for the inflammation caused by excessive acid production.
• X-ray: Under this, a chalky suspension is consumed by the patient which coats the digestive tract after which an x-ray is conducted.

Treatment of gastritis helps in decreasing the acidity in stomach to relieve the symptoms and also helps in healing of the stomach lining. Treatment includes:

• Antacids are available over the counter, act to neutralise the acid in the stomach, providing rapid pain relief.
• Histamine 2 blockers such as ranitidine act to reduce acid production and are available over the counter as well as on prescription.
• Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole decrease acid production effectively than Histamine 2 blockers. Low dose PPIs can be bought over the counter whereas higher doses need prescriptions.
• Antibiotics are Amoxycillin, Metronidazole and Clarithromycin are presribed for treating H.pylorii Infection. A retest may be performed 4 weeks after completing the antibiotic course to check if there is any H.pylorii is left in the stomach. If there is still some infection, eradication therapy is required with a different set of antibiotics.

Although medicines are more preferred to treat gastritis, they usually help by managing the symptoms temporarily and not the root cause of condition. To cure gastritis permanently, one might have to make a few lifestyle modifications such as:

1. Anti-inflammatory diet: Do not consume processed foods, dairy foods, gluten, acidic foods, sugary and spicy foods and alcohol.
2. Garlic extract supplement: This can reduce the frequency of the attacks.
3. Probiotics: These encourage regular bowel movements by introducing good bacteria into the digestive tract, thus improving the digestion.
4. Green tea with honey: Green tea decreases the prevalence of H.pylorii in the stomach. Honey has antibacterial action.
5. Essential oils: Lemongrass and lemon verbena help increase resistance to H.pylorii. Peppermint, clove and ginger oils have a positive effect on the digestive tract.
6. Eat smaller meals: This can ease the digestive process and reduce the gastritis symptoms.
7. Avoid smoking and overuse of painkillers
8. Reduce stress: Stress management techniques include:
   • massage
   • meditation
   • yoga
   • breathing exercises

The treatment of Gastritis usually depends upon the cause and symptoms of the illness. In the case of acute Gastritis that develops in a short period of time, recovery is faster and without any complications. On the other hand, chronic Gastritis that is developed gradually takes a longer span of time for recovery and is usually followed by mild or severe complications.

Following are the home remedies that are effective against gastritis:

1. Cinnamon: Cinnamon gives relief from acidity and gastritis due to its antacid characteristics. Consuming cinnamon tea two times a day relieves from this condition.
2. Basil leaves: This gives instant relief from the problem of acidity because of its soothing and carminative properties. Once can either drink basil leaves tea or chew basil leaves.
3. Apple cider vinegar: It produces an alkalizing effect on the stomach. Taking apple cider vinegar in water twice a day reduces the symptom of acidity.
4. Buttermilk: This is one best method for the treatment of acidity. Taking buttermilk is helps against acidity as it is rich in lactic acid which decreases the stomach acidity.
5. Cumin seeds: These works as an acid neutralizer and provides relief from acidity. Drinking cumin seeds in water after meals decreases acidity.
6. Soda: it is very helpful in neutralizing the acid present in every individual's stomach. Mixing a spoon of baking soda in the water and drinking it before the fizzing stops prove very advantageous in healing acidity problem.
7. Ginger: It has anti-inflammatory and neutralizing action. Consuming ginger tea or even chewing a slice of ginger can give instant result.
8. Fennel seeds: The carminative action of fennel seeds decrease the symptoms of acidity. Eating fennel seeds or drinking water boiled with fennel seeds is very beneficial against this problem.
9. Cold milk: Consuming cold milk is an ancient method for treating the condition of acidity. Cold milk neutralizes the gastric acids within the stomach.
10. Jaggery: Eating jaggery after meals can reduce the symptoms of acidity because of its alkalizing properties.

Gastritis can be quite painful and uncomfortable. It may also lead to stomach cancer and hence should be prevented. To know ways to avoid it, one need to know it causes like:

1. Excessive alcohol consumption
2. Liver, lung or kidney failure
3. Digestive disorder like Crohn’s disease
4. Diet high in acidity like citrus fruits
5. Anti-inflammatory medications

If you are diagnosed with gastritis, foods that should be eaten are:

1. Vegetables
2. Poultry
3. Whole-grains
4. Brown rice
5. Beans
6. Eggs
7. Nuts
8. Olive oil

Individuals who are overweight or obese, have been prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, females that are nearing menopause and individuals who suffer from medical conditions like a peptic ulcer or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are more likely to suffer from gastric problem.

Also, Individuals who consume spicy food, non-vegetarian food, excess alcohol and pregnant women are also at higher risk. The following measures also can be helpful:

1. Ensure to maintain good eating habits like having smaller meals, eating slowly and on time.
2. Avoid Alcohol, Coffee & tea, Whole milk, Citrus fruits and juices, Peppers, Garlic powder, Processed meats and Tomato.
3. Limiting or avoiding exposure to certain medicines like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and substances like tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, etc.
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Generally, food doesn’t cause Gastritis, but some of them can worsen the symptoms. Those foods act as aggravating factors and include alcohol, coffee, fat-rich foods, fried and spicy foods, carbonated drinks, fruit juices, acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus foods.