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Gastritis affects more and more people. This inflammation can be caused by many factors, including infection, alcohol or the use of certain medications. Gastritis can be acute (with severe attacks lasting a day or two) or chronic (with prolonged loss of appetite or nausea). Read about the symptoms of gastritis and how they are treated.
Gastritis – causes
Basically, gastritis occurs as a result of the stomach lining weakening or damaging, which can cause further damage and inflammation. There are several risk factors for gastric mucosal damage, including the use of certain medications, infections, chronic stress, and dietary factors.
One of the main causes of gastritis is the frequent or long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs disrupt the protective mechanisms of the gastric mucosa, leading to reduced production of gastric mucus and increased susceptibility to stomach acid. As a result, excessive use of NSAIDs may increase the risk of developing gastritis.
Bacterial infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is another common cause of gastritis. Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium that colonizes in the stomachs of many people. For most people, an early H. pylori infection does not cause many symptoms and usually goes unnoticed. However, long-term or chronic H. pylori infection can lead to persistent gastritis as well as loss of the normal glandular structure of the stomach.
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Ultimately, it can increase your risk of developing other digestive problems, such as stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.
Gastritis can also occur as a result of extreme physiological stress, often due to major surgery, trauma, severe burns, or severe illness. In some cases, stomach ulcers associated with certain types of physiological stress are given specific names such as Curling ulcers (associated with severe burns) and Cushing’s ulcers (associated with brain damage).
Additional risk factors for developing gastritis include increased alcohol and caffeine consumption, and exposure to cigarette smoke.
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Gastritis – types
Symptoms of gastritis can appear suddenly and last for a short time. Then we are talking about acute gastritis. Others suffer from chronic gastritis, which means symptoms last for months or even years.
Acute gastritis is also inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach, but one that lasts less than chronic gastritis. A person with chronic gastritis may sometimes miss many or even no symptoms, and when pain occurs it is usually dull and long-lasting. Acute gastritis tends to come on more quickly and pain is often felt more acutely.
Gastritis can also be classified as erosive or non-erosive depending on the degree of damage to the gastric mucosa.
Erosive gastritis is more severe than non-erosive gastritis because it destroys the lining of the stomach, leading to sores called erosions. If left untreated, these wounds can penetrate deeper into the gastric mucosa and form painful ulcers.
One of the causes of gastritis is a malfunction of the immune system, making it an autoimmune disorder. This is sometimes referred to as type A gastritis (autoimmune gastritis) and is the rarest cause of chronic gastritis.
See also: Lowering cholesterol supports the immune system
Gastritis – symptoms
The most common symptom of gastritis is an upset stomach or upper abdominal pain, often described as an unpleasant burning sensation.
In addition to pain, other potential gastritis symptoms include:
- frequent belching
- abdominal distension
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- feeling full after eating only a small meal.
Blood in your vomit or stools, or a dark or tarry colored stool, may be a sign of bleeding in the stomach because gastritis can promote the formation of ulcers.
Additional signs and symptoms of bleeding in the stomach (all of which are due to iron deficiency anemia) include:
- tiredness,
- breathing problems,
- dizziness,
- general weakness,
- pale skin,
- fast heartbeat.
If you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding in your stomach, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Severe or worsening abdominal pain is another clue to immediately pay attention to your state of health.
Chronic gastritis is much more likely to lead to complications such as ulcer formation and iron deficiency anemia.
Gastritis – treatment
Treatment of gastritis aims to alleviate the underlying cause of the inflammation. Some cases of gastritis go away without any treatment, while others require treatment through lifestyle changes or taking medications.
Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole or pantoprazole can help relieve the symptoms of gastritis by reducing the production of stomach acid. Proton pump inhibitors, along with combinations of different antibiotics, can also be used to treat H. pylori infection. Along with proton pump inhibitors, medications may contain antacids, including H2 blockers (such as cimetidine, ranitidine, or famotidine) and some over-the-counter medications.
If possible, it’s also important to remove or avoid any risk factors that may be contributing to gastritis. This may include stopping non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, or quitting smoking.