Gastritis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Pradeep Chauhan
July 11, 2008
Gastritis is not a single disease, but several different conditions that all have inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or infection with bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Sometimes gastritis develops after major surgery, traumatic injury, burns, or severe infections. Certain diseases, such as pernicious anemia, autoimmune disorders, and chronic bile reflux, can cause gastritis as well.
Causes of Gastritis
The following are known causes and factors related to gastritis:
Bacterial infection (most often by Helicobacter pylori and other Helicobacter spp.)
Fungal infection (most often in people with immunodeficiency)
Parasitic infection (most often by Anisakis spp. from poorly cooked seafood)
Bile reflux
Aspirin (more than 300 drug products contain some form of aspirin)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen)
Steroids (prednisone is one example)
Excess gastric acid secretion (such as from stress)
Viral infection, especially in people with a weak immune system
Symptoms of Gastritis
The symptoms of gastritis depend on how acute it is and how long it has been present. In the acute phase, there may be pain or gnawing in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting. In the chronic phase, the pain may be dull and there may be loss of appetite with a feeling of fullness after several bites of food. Very often, there are no symptoms at all. If the pain is severe, there may be an ulcer as well as gastritis.
Gastritis Diagnosed
Blood tests. The doctor may perform various blood tests such as checking your red blood cell count to determine whether you have anemia, which means that you do not have enough red blood cells. He or she can also screen for H. pylori infection and pernicious anemia with blood tests.
What is the treatment for gastritis?
Treatment usually involves taking drugs to reduce stomach acid and thereby help relieve symptoms and promote healing. (Stomach acid irritates the inflamed tissue in the stomach.) Avoidance of certain foods, beverages, or medicines may also be recommended.
Lifestyle
The cure for gastritis caused by ingesting irritating substances is to stop the long-term use of these substances, which may include:
Alcohol
Tobacco
Acidic beverages such as coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated), carbonated beverages, and fruit juices with citric acid
Dietary modifications – such as limiting or avoiding alcohol and caffeine, which can irritate the stomach lining.
No treatment – often gastritis is found by chance during an endoscopy. If Helicobacter pylori is not present, and there are no other features seen on biopsy, there is usually no need to treat the gastritis.
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Causes of Gastritis
The following are known causes and factors related to gastritis:
Bacterial infection (most often by Helicobacter pylori and other Helicobacter spp.)
Fungal infection (most often in people with immunodeficiency)
Parasitic infection (most often by Anisakis spp. from poorly cooked seafood)
Bile reflux
Aspirin (more than 300 drug products contain some form of aspirin)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen)
Steroids (prednisone is one example)
Excess gastric acid secretion (such as from stress)
Viral infection, especially in people with a weak immune system
Symptoms of Gastritis
The symptoms of gastritis depend on how acute it is and how long it has been present. In the acute phase, there may be pain or gnawing in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting. In the chronic phase, the pain may be dull and there may be loss of appetite with a feeling of fullness after several bites of food. Very often, there are no symptoms at all. If the pain is severe, there may be an ulcer as well as gastritis.
Gastritis Diagnosed
Blood tests. The doctor may perform various blood tests such as checking your red blood cell count to determine whether you have anemia, which means that you do not have enough red blood cells. He or she can also screen for H. pylori infection and pernicious anemia with blood tests.
What is the treatment for gastritis?
Treatment usually involves taking drugs to reduce stomach acid and thereby help relieve symptoms and promote healing. (Stomach acid irritates the inflamed tissue in the stomach.) Avoidance of certain foods, beverages, or medicines may also be recommended.
Lifestyle
The cure for gastritis caused by ingesting irritating substances is to stop the long-term use of these substances, which may include:
Alcohol
Tobacco
Acidic beverages such as coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated), carbonated beverages, and fruit juices with citric acid
Dietary modifications – such as limiting or avoiding alcohol and caffeine, which can irritate the stomach lining.
No treatment – often gastritis is found by chance during an endoscopy. If Helicobacter pylori is not present, and there are no other features seen on biopsy, there is usually no need to treat the gastritis.
Read About Rowing Machine
Also read about Rowing Machine
Directory and Rowing
Machine
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