Gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa that can be caused by infection, irritation, autoimmune disorders or the return of bile to the stomach (bile reflux). The infections can be bacterial or viral, while in the case of irritation as a causative agent, it can be caused by various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol, nutrition or, for example, excessive secretion of gastric acid.
We distinguish between two forms of gastritis, an acute one that appears suddenly and is a short-term one and a chronic one that lasts for a long period of time. The mentioned forms further distinguish erosive gastritis, stress, chronic (Helicobacter pylori-gastritis), autoimmune gastritis, etc. Erosive gastritis is a less common form of this disease, it does not cause a strong inflammatory process, but can lead to bleeding and ulcers. the mucous membranes of the stomach.
Acute and chronic gastritis
Acute gastritis can be caused by alcohol, digestion of corrosive substances, or severe physiological stress. In addition, it is often associated with another acute illness or external injury. The cause of this type of gastritis, which is one of the risk factors, is also the consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.In chronic gastritis, if we are talking about the consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs, then it should be long-lasting and as such is the cause of the disease. It can also be caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori, pernicious anemia, autoimmune disorder, gastric wall degeneration due to old age, or prolonged irritation of the mucous membrane due to bile returning to the stomach.
We're sure you've heard of a problem called Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is one of the causative agents of superficial chronic gastritis that occurs in the area of the antrum or inlet. Although many people with chronic gastritis do not have pronounced symptoms, there are certain risk factors such as disease from pernicious anemia, blood disorders or lymphatic system.
Some conditions and activities may increase the risk of developing gastritis. Among the risk factors are:
- increased and frequent alcohol consumption
- consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- years (over 60 years) due to thinning of the gastric mucosa, and
- smoking
Less known risk factors for gastritis are:
- stress caused by serious illness, injury or surgery
- autoimmune diseases
- digestive disorders such as Crohn's disease, i
- viral infections
Symptoms
Now that we have said something about gastritis, we turn to hypochondriacs and others to know how to recognize the symptoms and seek medical attention as needed. If you feel pain in the upper abdomen, excessively hiccup and belly swell, and not of the fine papilla, you have difficulty digesting dark stools, nausea and vomiting, feel loss of appetite, or vomit blood, it is time to see a doctor.
When you have knocked on the office door and shared your doubts with people in white, you will probably hear the need to perform EGD (esophageogastroduodenoscopy) and biopsy (tissue scrap), or endoscopy tests for gastritis.
This is the tricky part. The doctor will tell you that he is painless while relatives will tell you that this is something that they regretted visiting the doctor. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. The procedure is performed through the patient's mouth and throat all the way to the stomach and duodenum with a thinly lit tube (endoscope) that eventually has a small camera. The camera is used to observe the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. An X-ray of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum may also be performed, while a blood count will show anemia if there is bleeding.
Cure
Only the treatment of gastritis will depend on the cause that led to it. To help eliminate the symptoms and start the initial phase of treatment, medications that neutralize gastric acid, the so-called gastric acid, will greatly help. antacids or other drugs that reduce the secretion of gastric acid.
Of the gastric acid neutralizing drugs, H2 antagonists (ranitidine, cimetidine, famotidine) and proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole) are present on the market.
If gastritis was caused by the aforementioned bacterium Helicobacter pylori, antibiotic therapy is used in the treatment, and the so-called gastritis is the most effective. triple therapy with two antibiotics against H. pylori in combination with a drug that blocks acid secretion or with a protective agent. With the exception of bacteria, if gastritis is due to pernicious anemia, vitamin B12 is used in the treatment.
Also, it is advised to start taking probiotics that will help in the recovery and regeneration of the intestinal flora and heal gastric ulcers.
What are the possible complications with gastritis?
If left untreated, gastritis can cause complications such as gastric bleeding or ulcer development. Some forms of gastritis may increase the risk of developing gastric cancer, especially in people with gastric mucosa.
Because of these possible complications, it is important for the first signs that may indicate gastritis to see a doctor and follow instructions on diet changes and take prescribed medication regularly.
Meals
The first rule with gastritis is to eat smaller meals, but more often. Baked and cooked foods and over-flavors such as sour or hot should be avoided. It is also good not to shock your stomach with cold or hot meals and eat them lukewarm. Cooked, solid and lightly prepared foods are recommended and forget about alcohol and coffee.
Since gastritis is associated with acid secretion, which further stimulates sugar, stay out of sweet. Also, patients diagnosed with gastritis should avoid raw foods that are difficult to digest by the stomach, so it is wise to heat fruits and vegetables so that digested pulp and ballast do not inflate and cause cramps and pain.
Foods that are recommended to consume in case of diagnosed gastritis, which will reduce the problems and symptoms are:
- high fiber foods like apples, oats, broccoli, carrots or beans
- low fat foods like white fish and chicken and turkey breasts
- low acidity foods like vegetables
- non-carbonated beverages
- decaffeinated beverages
- probiotics like yogurt, kombucha or kimchi.
It is also advisable to take teas to calm the stomach, and tear or flax tea, chamomile, fennel, yogurt, yarrow, and mint are recommended. If gastritis is caused by Helicobacter pylori, it is advised to add herbs such as sage, ladybug, thyme, lavender, anise or wormwood to the tea.
Unless you are the type for teas, probiotics may be helpful, especially those containing Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures.
Foods that are advised to be avoided if you have gastritis are those that can worsen gastric mucosa inflammation. These include:
- alcohol
- coffee
- sour foods like tomatoes and some fruits
- fatty food
- carbonated drinks
- spicy food
In any case, everything written can help you identify the problem and alleviate it, and you should definitely consult your doctor for any other advice.
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