Gastritis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Overview

Gastritis is perhaps the most common condition that affects people without any geographical intolerance. It is a condition which is associated with the swelling of the stomach inner lining thus leading to discomfort, pain and other related digestive complications. For instance, if this problem is left untreated, it can have dire health consequences. Focus on the causes and symptoms of gastritis today as well as gastritis treatment and prevention, which will enable you, learn to treat and prevent this condition at the end of this article.

What is Gastritis?

Gastritis is a disease characterized by the inflammatory weakening of the inside lining of the stomach. The primary purpose of the stomach’s protective lining is to avoid the negative effects of potent digestive acids and juices when food is taken. In situations where such a dampening lining is compromised or inflamed, the contents of the stomach are free to wreak havoc thereby causing Gastritis. Gastritis can also be divided into two forms; for example, acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) and depending on its symptoms, its forms vary from mild to extreme cases.

Causes of Gastritis

Gastritis can have a myriad of reasons for its occurrence. Infamous for the inflammation of the inner stomach walls, together with many other stomach complaints, gastritis can be induced by an infection or even a healthy enough people may develop it due to several paralyzing reasons. Out of the given reasons, let us take a look at some of the common causes of gastritis:

1. Helicobacter pylori Infection

Infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is regarded as one of the most important risk factors for the development of gastritis. This microorganism has the ability to damage the stomach lining and cause its inflammation. It is believed that this infection is prevalent in nearly 50% of the world’s population; though not all infected individuals go on to suffer from gastritis. H. pylori is spread by drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food and through close contact with an infected person.

2. Overuse of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Over-the-counter medications that reduce pain and inflammation such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are known as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Nonetheless, these medications can be known to cause gastritis if used in excess or over a long period of time as they tend to cause irritation to the stomach lining, NSAIDs block the production of prostaglandins which usually offer some protection to the stomach lining from the acidic contents.

3. Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol may irritate as well as destroy the stomach lining. Alcohol makes the stomach produce more acidity and in addition interferes with the natural protective structures of the stomach, thus predisposing it to infections such as gastritis. Chronic and heavy alcohol drinking regularly predisposes to chronic gastritis, which is quite dangerous as it can lead to sickness like bleeding or ulcers.

4. Stress

Stress is not a direct cause of gastritis; however, it may play a role in the disease for example through intensifying the symptoms. Stress has been shown to reduce the production of acid in the stomach and cause an imbalance of the system stimulating inflammation. This effect has also been noted in the case of abrupt stress (like in the post-operative period) when there is a rather inflammatory form of gastritis called ‘stress gastritis’.

5. Autoimmune Response

In certain cases and the immune system may damage the cells and tissues of the stomach and leading to autoimmune gastritis. This condition is frequently found to be linked with other autoimmune disorders and chronic gastritis related to this condition can lead to the malabsorption of certain nutrients and particularly vitamin B12.

6. Bile Reflux

Bilе is arguably a digеstivе fluid producеd by thе livеr and which aids in thе digеstion of fats. Thе rеgurgitation of bilе juicе into thе stomach from thе small intеstinе is tеrmеd bilе rеflux   and this can lеad to gastritis duе to thе inflammation of thе gastric mucosa. Bilе rеflux is oftеn common aftеr thе pеrformancе of cholеcystеctomy.

7. Dietary Factors

While this is rare, some food and drink can induce or conceivably aggravate gastritis. Foods that are spicy, such as the above, citrus fruits and acidic foods, and beverages containing caffeine sometimes irritate the stomach in certain individuals resulting in discomfort or worsening of gastritis that is already present.

8. Other Factors

Gastritis has many risk factors such as; age (older people are more susceptible to gastritis), smoking history, and the presence of some illnesses for instance, crohn’s disease and kidneys diseases.

Symptoms of Gastritis

The symptoms of gastritis can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, individuals may experience no symptoms at all. The most common symptoms of gastritis include:

1. Stomach Pain

The symptoms of gastritis that are most pronounced is loss of appetite, which is often accompanied by pain in the epigastric region. Such pain can be categorized as sharp, deep or burning in nature and may aggravate post meals. Some of the patients might also describe a feeling of fullness slash distension in the abdomen.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

A majority of individuals suffering from gastritis tend to feel nausea and in some instances may even vomit. The inflammation of the stomach lining can elicit a feeling of discomfort which can in turn, cause nausea, especially after consuming particular types of food.

3. Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

Due to gastritis, a patient may also experience some form of difficulty in digestion whereby he may feel bloated, or even belch or feel full even after taking a small quantity of food. This is because great care needs to be taken when eating as gastritis impairs the stomach’s normal processing of food.

4. Loss of Appetite

This hunger-suppressing pain can also be a contributing factor in the case of gastritis. People who have gastritis, for instance, may refrain from eating because; they may experience nausea or pain, or other discomforts in the stomach.

5. Dark or Tarry Stools

When gastritis is very advanced, peristaltic actions may cause bleeding of the stomach lining. Black or tarry stools often result from the swallowing of blood which has been digested. This is considered under a questional acute abdomen and must be treated without delay.

6. Vomiting Blood

In some few but severe cases, gastritis can also cause internal bleeding, making the person vomit fresh blood or blood that is similar to coffee grounds. This is a condition that cannot wait in the hospital and needs immediate attention.

Diagnosis of Gastritis

Gastritis is a medical condition that requires the opinion of a doctor, especially if it persists for long. The diagnosis often requires the use of several techniques, including the assessment of medical history and present physical condition of the patient. Other techniques include tests like the following:

Endoscopy: This entails passing a flexible camera-equipped tube through the throat into the stomach in order to inspect the stomach lining for any signs of damage or inflammation.

Blood Tests: Certain blood tests identify the causes of infections, determine anemia, or check for relevant auto antibodies linked to autoimmune gastritis.

Stool Test: There may be a test done to check for the H. pyloric bacteria from a patient’s stool sample.

Breath Test: This test involves drinking a special liquid and later breathing out into a device that determines the levels of carbon dioxide in the breath to test for an H pylori infection.

Gastritis Treatment

The management of gastritis can be described as a script and the etiology as a particular segment that can be presented differently. This passage describes the treatment and every additional method achievable to fight and relieve the agonizing sensations of the condition known as gastritis.

1. Antibiotics (for H. pylori Infection)

In instances where gastritis is attributed to H. pylori infection, treatment in the form of antibiotics will be sought to kill the bacteria intervening in the pathogenesis of the infection. This intervention commonly encompasses two or more antibiotics in order to enhance efficacy and prevent development of resistance.

2. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Inhibitors of proton pumps minimize the production of gastric acid which allow the inner lining of the stomach to heal. Medications such as omeprazole and esomeprazole classified as PPIs are usually given for a short duration for the management of gastritis and to prevent development of ulcers.

3. Antacids and H2 Blockers

Antacids assist in balancing the pH level of the stomach bringing relief to the pains that will be due to gastritis. H2 antagonists like ranitidine also assist in decreasing the production of acids but in quite a different manner as that of PPIs. These drugs can be incorporated into the multifaceted relief of symptoms.

4. Lifestyle Modifications

Some adjustments in lifestyle may help to control the manifestations of gastritis:

• Such depressed foods and drinks should be removed from the diet, for example spicy food, caffeine and alcohol.
• To relieve discomfort, try smaller, more frequent meals and avoid over filling the tummy.
• Employ relaxation strategies, practice mindfulness or engage in physical exercise to avoid stress.
• Abandon cigarettes because they lead to the stomach lining being raw and excess acid being secreted.

5. Corticosteroids (for Autoimmune Gastritis)

In autoimmune gastritis, corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs may be given as a treatment option to control the inflammatory process.

6. Vitamin Supplements

For individuals with autoimmune gastritis, vitamin B12 deficiency is a common issue. In such cases, B12 supplements may be recommended to prevent anemia and other complications.

Prevention For Gastritis

Although restraining all the causes of gastritis may be impossible, there are a few measures to reduce the risk of the disease developing gallbladder disease:

• Use anti-inflammatory Nonsteroidal medicines cautiously and only after consulting physician them.
• Good mouth care is promoted to reduce H. pylori infection by adequately taking fresh food and clean drinking water while regularly washing hands.
• Abstain from drinking alcohol and smoking to prevent any form of irritation to the lining of the stomach.
• Maintain a healthy balanced diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, and cereals while limiting the intake of spicy and acidic foods.

Conclusion

Gastritis is a distressing and potentially life-threatening disease that requires prompt treatment and understanding of its causes, risk factors, and management methods. It can cause infectious, chemical, or behavioral issues, but management ensures patient comfort and digestive mucosa health. Most cases can be treated, allowing normal life to resume by removing the triggering agent and taking prescribed oral medications.

In case you have gastritis or one of its symptoms seek medical attention with a view of getting the right diagnosis and treatment for your condition.