If your stomach feels upset and you're vomiting and have diarrhea, you may have gastritis, an infection in the lining of the stomach. Gastritis is caused by various conditions, which have their own treatment approach. Yogurt is commonly used to help shorten the duration of diarrhea and help heal intestinal damage done by infections, according to AskDrSears.com. If you want to use yogurt to treat a form of gastritis, talk with your doctor first to ensure its safety.
Gastritis
Gastritis may be caused by medications, autoimmune disorders, viruses, parasites, bacteria and gastrointestinal conditions, such as Chrohn's disease. The most common cause of gastritis is the overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The infection in the stomach can cause damage to the lining of the stomach, which protects the soft tissue from harmful acids in the stomach. If the lining is damaged, you can develop ulcers, bleeding and wounds in the stomach.
Yogurt for Gastric Infections
Gastric infections can lead to further complications, such as temporary lactose intolerance and malabsorption problems. During and after you develop gastritis, the lining of your intestines are damaged. Yogurt contains live and active cultures that help to repair and maintain healthy digestion. Eat yogurt that is plain and low in fat because too much sugar or fat can cause further irritation to your gut, increasing your symptoms. During gastritis, your colon can lose much of its healthy bacteria that keep your bowels regular. Yogurt helps replenish these bacteria to restore normal bowel function.
Immune System Benefit
Research reported by AskDrSears.com states that people who ate two cups of live-culture yogurt every day for three months had higher levels of immunity. The helpful bacteria contained in yogurt stimulate the production of white blood cells that help fight off infections. If you're unable to eat yogurt because of another medical condition, such as a milk allergy, you can take a daily probiotic supplement for the same benefits. Talk with your doctor before using any supplement.
Treatment
The cause of gastritis will determine the treatment approach. If the gastritis is the result of the overuse of drugs, your doctor will recommend that you stop taking the drug and use a different medication that will not harm the lining of your stomach. If gastritis is the result of a bacterial infection, she may prescribe an antibiotic. Yogurt is especially important to eat if you're taking antibiotics because antibiotics can kill the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Eating yogurt will maintain the appropriate amount of bacteria for regular bowel movements.
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