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What exactly is intestinal metaplasia? This is a condition where the lining of the stomach turns into the lining of the intestine. This condition can be caused by frequent stomach diseases. Unfortunately, intestinal metaplasia is a precancerous condition, therefore time plays a very important role in the diagnosis of the disease.
Intestinal metaplasia is, in most diagnosed cases, irreversible changes in the mucosa. It is exactly where one type of mature epithelium passes into another type of mature epithelium, namely the gastric epithelium turns into the intestinal epithelium. It is a condition that can arise from frequent, acute inflammation in the stomach. Sometimes, when the entire infection is under control, it is possible that intestinal metaplasia may regress.
Intestinal metaplasia – symptoms
What exactly is intestinal metaplasia? It is diagnosed in most cases in the elderly. According to statistics, intestinal metaplasia in about 80 percent. of respondents is the result of duodenal ulcer, it may also be the result of frequent inflammation of the gastric mucosa. The disease may affect the entire organ or part of it. It requires prompt medical intervention because it is, unfortunately, a precancerous condition. If the mucosa becomes inflamed, our body tries to produce new epithelium that should replace the damaged one, while chronic inflammation disturbs the regeneration process and then intestinal metaplasia occurs.
Why is the gastric mucosa inflamed? There are several main causes of membrane destruction:
- drugs taken on a permanent basis that negatively affect the gastric mucosa
- Helicobacter pylori infection
- incorrect, hard-to-digest diet
- irregular meals
- hormonal disorders, for example in diabetes
- stimulants such as alcohol, cigarettes
- genetic tendencies to stomach diseases
How can a patient recognize that their body is developing intestinal metaplasia? Unfortunately, the process of cell transformation does not give any symptoms, these appear when the stomach becomes inflamed. The disease can develop over several years. What symptoms you have depends on what is causing your condition. The most common symptoms of intestinal metaplasia include:
- heartburn
- lack of appetite
- a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen
- belching
- nausea, vomiting
- feeling full too quickly
As for the worsening of symptoms, it is an individual matter. Some people experience symptoms very rarely, while others may even get worse after each meal. It happens that in acute inflammation of the gastric mucosa, stomach bleeding occurs, blood appears in the stools or in vomit. If we are dealing with autoimmune inflammation, the symptom is often anemia.
Intestinal metaplasia – treatment
Intestinal metaplasia is treated pharmacologically. However, treatment can be supported by a properly balanced diet. Of course, all stimulants should be eliminated first. Products that should be included in the daily menu should be easily digestible, all fatty, spicy foods and spices must be removed from the diet. According to nutritionists, the right amount of meals is also important, you should eat more often, but in smaller amounts. Systematic meals not only help to digest the meal well, but also improve the work process of the entire digestive system. When intestinal metaplasia occurs, the diet should include: lean dairy products, lean meat. However, foods rich in fiber should be avoided as it can irritate the gastric mucosa.