Gastritis is a term that describes any inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis can be acute, meaning it occurs suddenly, or chronic, occurring slowly over time. If you have gastritis, a combination of medications and diet can help to decrease the symptoms associated with the disease.
Causes
The inflammation of gastritis is often the result of infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. Gastritis is also commonly associated with ingestion of alcohol, aspirin, caffeine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Severe cases of gastritis can lead to upper gastrointestinal bleeds, requiring immediate medical treatment.
Symptoms
Symptoms of gastritis are intermittent and variable. If you have gastritis, you may experience loss of appetite, nausea, a feeling of fullness and epigastric pain, or pain in the upper central abdomen. In addition, vomiting and belching are signs of gastritis. Symptoms of gastritis may not appear until triggered by something such as alcohol or spicy foods.
Dietary Recommendations
If you experience frequent indigestion, eat smaller, more frequent meals to help ease the effects of stomach acid. In addition, avoid any foods you find irritating, especially those that are spicy, acidic, fried or fatty. Limiting use of alcohol can help decrease irritation of the gastric lining and prevent inflammation and bleeding. Discovering which foods are responsible for the pain and discomfort is a trial-and-error process. Food tolerances vary from person to person. Although these interventions will help decrease the symptoms, they do not cure gastritis.
Medical Management
In addition to dietary modifications, your physician may recommend medications to help relieve the symptoms. Commonly prescribed medications include over-the-counter antacids to neutralize stomach acid. If the antacids are not effective, acid blockers may be prescribed to help reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. The other group of medications used for the treatment of gastritis are called proton-pump inhibitors. These medications block the pumps located within the acid-secreting cells. Treating your gastritis may require a combination of these medications recommended by your physician.
Prevention
If you have gastritis, avoiding irritating foods, alcohol, aspirin and caffeine and eliminating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will help decrease your symptoms. Being compliant with your prescribed medications and regular followup with your physician are essential for the best outcomes with your disease.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Gastritis
- "Current Diagnosis and Treatment Emergency Medicine"; C. Stone,; R. Humphries.; 2008
- "Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; C. Lutz.; K. Przytulski.; 2011
