Gastritis Symptoms, Causes, Treatment And Prevention

Gastritis

Gastritis is characterized by gastric mucosal damage represented by inflammatory processes, degenerative metaplasia, allergic processes. These lesions can have a self-limited evolution leading to scarring or the contrary, as they may lead to serious complications especially bleeding or perforation.

Gastritis Symptoms and Causes

Frequently gastritis is manifested by a burning sensation in the upper abdomen region, but may also develop without symptoms. There are numerous causes that can determine the onset of gastritis, the most frequent are represented by: Alcohol, certain drugs (aspirin, abuse of analgesics, NSAIDs – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids) may cause gastric mucosal irritation up to gastritis complications sometimes even when managed in usual doses for those who are sensitive. Coffee abuse, eating habits like serving too cold or too hot meals, infection with Helicobacter pylori, accidental ingestion of caustic substances, certain infectious diseases, stress can lead to gastritis.
In patients with this condition using specific means of investigation (radiology and endoscopy) certain signs of impaired gastric mucosa can be seen, as well as functional signs related to the secretion of hydrochloric acid.

Gastritis

Treatment

Treatment of acute gastritis will be based on etiology (the factor that lead to it). In case of acute gastritis with hyperacidity

-antacids drugs  (mixtures with alkalinization role in neutralizing acid secretion)
-anti-secretory (substances that are designed to inhibit acid secretion by acting on histamine receptors: Ranitidine, Famotidine, and the proton pump – Omeprazole)
-gastric bandages (drugs designed to form a gastric mucosal protective cover that helps recovery).

When Helicobacter pilory is present in the gastric mucosa different antibiotics will be combined  for eradicating the infection: Amoxicillin associated with Metronidazole or two antibiotics asociated with a proton pump inhibitor like: Amoxicillin with Metronidazole + Omeprazole.

Among those treatment schemes, an alcohol, tobacco and spice free diet will be also required.

Pills

Prevention

To prevent gastritis, there are some principles of nutrition that can be applied and adapted to any individual requirements. It is useful to eliminate sugar and synthetic food additives – the explosion of cases of gastritis in recent years is caused by foods fortified with additives, as they affect digestion, favor (especially sugar) the Helicobacter pylori development, and cause digestive disturbances. Those who are predisposed or already suffering from gastritis must strictly avoid sugar and foods with synthetic additives (primarily those used for taste, aroma and dyeing).

We recommend giving up alcohol – regardless of origin or country – along with tobacco are the greatest threats for the stomach. The sweet taste, spicy, sour or very bitter may be the trigger of gastritis pain through a simple mechanism : the intense taste stimulation produces a strong secretion of gastric juices that are not supported by the stomach.
Smoking plays a major role in the etiology of gastritis and ulcers – recommended quitting smoking fastest possible in case of  a gastric disease.