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Gastric erosion is a common disease diagnosed in patients who visit a gastroenterologist. It is a condition that is very similar to the symptoms of acid reflux or a stomach ulcer. Correct and complete diagnostics requires not only a precise interview with the patient, but also gastroscopy. What exactly is gastric erosion?
What is gastric erosion? What are the first symptoms? it is worth starting with the causes that trigger changes in the stomach. Gastric erosions are most often caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria, other factors that can trigger an erosive condition include long-term medication, burns and other injuries. What symptoms might suggest a stomach erosion is developing?
Stomach erosions – symptoms
A stomach erosion is exactly the change that occurs in the lining of the stomach. It is a local cavity, but depending on when it is diagnosed and how quickly treatment is given, it can come in different sizes. Stomach erosions can be caused by chemical or bacterial infections. Long-term use of non-steroidal drugs, as well as the abuse of alcohol and other stimulants, can lead to inflammation of the gastric mucosa. An erosion of the stomach that is left untreated can lead to peptic ulcer disease. However, according to research and statistics, the most common cause that leads to erosive changes in the stomach is infection with the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori, viral inflammation is no less common. Stomach erosions are also the result of chronic stress. Other reasons include:
- biliary gastritis
- Crohn’s disease
- septic shock
- chronic gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach, also known as gastric erosion or catarrh, can cause symptoms that resemble those of a peptic ulcer.
- flatulence
- frequent belching
- heartburn
- pain located in the epigastric region
- feeling of fullness
- stinging in the stomach
People who develop gastric erosions feel full after even a small amount of food. Some foods and spices are intolerant of erosive conditions, for example, epigastric pain is caused by spicy, spicy, sour foods or spices. Discomfort occurs when eating fried dishes. In acute inflammation, there may be bleeding from the digestive system, dark, tarry stools appear. These complications are very dangerous to the health and even life of the patient and require prompt diagnosis and medical intervention.
Gastric erosions – diagnosis
The test that will allow for full diagnosis is gastroscopy, i.e. endoscopic observation of the gastric mucosa as a whole, which allows you to assess its condition. In some situations, specimens are taken for histopathological examination. Gastroscopy is necessary when symptoms persist and become more severe, and should be performed when there have been cases of stomach cancer in the patient’s family.
Gastric erosions also require testing for Helicobacter Pylori battery carrier, which a gastroenterologist can perform during gastroscopy. Non-invasive respiratory urease tests are also available in pharmacies. In the event that the patient complains of frequent sudden and severe attacks of upper abdominal pain, the specialist orders an X-ray with the previous swallowing of the marker – barite, which in the picture is to determine the amount, place and size of the defect in the gastric mucosa.
In most cases, gastric erosions can be completely healed when detected quickly. In the treatment of stomach erosions, a properly balanced diet is important – peptic ulcer diet, i.e. easy-to-digest, non-fried and non-greasy meals. Supplements and some medications, such as aspirin, should be discontinued. Of course, stomach erosions are treated pharmacologically. In acute conditions, the erosion is treated surgically.