What is Gastritis?
Gastritis is an inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the stomach lining. It can come on suddenly and last a short time (acute), or start gradually and be long-lasting (chronic).
It's a common condition, affecting about 8 in every 1,000 people in the U.S. The acute form is often caused by an infection, too much alcohol, or medications that irritate the stomach. . Across the world, up to half of the population is thought to have chronic gastritis linked to infection with the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori )bacteria.
Types of Gastritis
In addition to the acute and chronic forms, gastritis can be divided into types based on how it affects the protective lining of your stomach.
· Erosive gastritis. With this type, whatever causes gastritis leaves injuries or ulcers in your stomach lining.
· Nonerosive gastritis. People who have this type have stomach irritation but no ulcers. If you have a type of nonerosive gastritis called atrophic gastritis, the irritation causes your stomach lining to get thinner.
Doctors may also identify gastritis by what causes it, such as:
· Alcohol-induced gastritis
· Autoimmune gastritis
· Drug-induced gastritis
· Infectious gastritis
· Stress-induced gastritis
What Causes Gastritis?
Gastritis is your body's response to weakness or damage in your stomach lining. Many things can lead to it, including:
· Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or naproxen
· Overuse of alcohol, tobacco, or cocaine
· Repeated vomiting
· Stress, such as that caused by an injury, surgery, or serious illness
· Infections caused by bacteria such as H. pylori
· Other infections, including parasitic infections, HIV/AIDS, and the viruses that cause "stomach flu"
· Bile reflux, in which a digestive fluid called bile backs up into your stomach
· An autoimmune response in which your immune system attacks the cells of your stomach lining
· Inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or sarcoidosis
· Chemotherapy and radiation treatments
Because the stomach lining tends to get thinner with age, older people are at higher risk for gastritis.
Gastritis Symptoms
Symptoms of gastritis vary from person to person, and many people don't have any. Gastritis symptoms may include:
· Appetite loss
· Bloating
· Hiccups
· Indigestion, a burning or gnawing feeling in your stomach that tends to happen between meals or at night
· Nausea and vomiting
· Stomach pain in the belly area
If gastritis has caused a bleeding ulcer, you might:
· Vomit blood or coffee ground-like material
· Have poop that looks black and tarry
Gastritis Treatment
Gastritis treatment depends on what's causing it and how serious it is.
Acute gastritis may go away on its own, or get better when you stop smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain drugs. If you have an alcohol or drug use disorder, your doctor can refer you to treatment programs. If NSAIDs are causing your gastritis, they can suggest alternative pain medications. If you have chronic gastritis, you'll need treatment to cure it permanently.
Gastritis medications may include:
· Antacids. These are medications you can buy over the counter to ease indigestion and heartburn. They work by neutralizing stomach acids. There are many different types, including Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, and Tums. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what kind to take, and avoid those that contain aspirin.
· Proton pump inhibitors. These drugs help block stomach acid production. They're also available over the counter or by prescription. These include dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (Aciphex).
· Surface coating agents. These prescription drugs protect damaged stomach tissue from acid and enzymes so it can heal. They include sucralfate (Carafate) and misoprostol (Cytotec).
· Antibiotics. If your gastritis is caused by a bacterial infection, such as H. pylori, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics along with medications to reduce stomach acid.
· Anti-nausea medications. If you have nausea as a result of gastritis, you can take over-the-counter or prescription medications to ease this symptom.
· If an autoimmune disorder is causing your gastritis, your doctor can prescribe medications to treat that disorder. For autoimmune gastritis, they might recommend supplements of Vitamin B12, folic acid, or iron.
· If you have bile reflux or gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, your doctor may suggest surgery to repair the problem. But this is uncommon.
Gastritis Prevention
These things may help you avoid gastritis, or keep your symptoms from getting worse if you have it:
· Good hygiene. H. pylori can be passed from person to person or in contaminated food or water. The most important way to keep it from spreading is to wash your hands often, especially after you use the restroom and before you handle food.
· Stop smoking. Smoking raises your risk for infection with H. pylori and for peptic ulcers.
· Limit alcohol. Because alcohol can irritate your stomach lining and make it more prone to damage, drink it in moderation if you drink it at all.
· Don't overuse NSAIDs. NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can also irritate your stomach lining. Don't use them for long periods or at high doses. See your doctor if you need other pain-relief options.
· Manage stress. Since stress may contribute to gastritis, look for healthy ways to handle it. Relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, tai chi, or yoga, may help.
· Avoid foods and drinks that could irritate your stomach lining. Things such as coffee and spicy and greasy foods don't cause gastritis, but they could make your symptoms worse if you already have it.
