Gastritis

Overview

Gastritis is not a single disease but several different conditions that all involve inflammation of the stomach lining. It is generally not serious and quickly improves rapidly with treatment.

Causes

Gastritis can be caused by drinking too much alcohol prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen or even an ulcer (a small break in the skin on the stomach lining) which can be worsened by infection with a bacteria called 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.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are abdominal upset or pain. Other symptoms are:

  • belching
  • abdominal bloating
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • a feeling of fullness
  • burning in the upper abdomen
  • blood in your vomit or black stools (may be a sign of bleeding in the stomach which may indicate a serious problem requiring immediate medical attention).

Diagnosis

Gastritis is diagnosed through one or more medical tests:

  • Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The doctor eases an endoscope a thin tube containing a tiny camera through your mouth (or occasionally nose) and down into your stomach to look at the stomach lining. The doctor will check for inflammation and may remove a tiny sample of tissue for tests. This procedure to remove a tissue sample is called a biopsy.
  • Blood test. The doctor may check your red blood cell count to see whether you have anemia which means that you do not have enough red blood cells. Anemia can be caused by bleeding from the stomach. Blood testing may also be used to detect the presence of H. pylori in the digestive tract (rarely doctors also try and detect H.Pylori in your breath)
  • Stool test. This test checks for the presence of blood in your stool a sign of bleeding.

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.) Your doctor may also recommend that you avoid certain foods beverages or medicines.

If is caused by H. pylori infection the doctor might prescribe antibiotics to clear it up. Once the underlying problem disappears the gastritis usually does too. Talk to your doctor before stopping any medicine or starting any gastritis treatment on your own.