Gastritis & Bananas

Gastritis & Bananas
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If you’ve been diagnosed with gastritis, changing your diet may help alleviate some symptoms associated with the condition. Many cases of gastritis are the result of an infection from the H. pylori bacteria, which may require antibiotic treatment. Before changing the way you eat, talk with your doctor for medical recommendations.

Gastritis

Gastritis is not a single condition, but rather a general term used to describe various conditions that all cause inflammation in the lining of the stomach Gastritis may be the result of various conditions, such as food poisoning, an autoimmune disorder or the stomach flu. Most cases of gastritis are considered acute, meaning they occur as a single event. Chronic gastritis can lead to more complicated medical concerns, such as ulcers, internal bleeding and stomach cancer, if not treated.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gastritis are general and require a medical assessment to determine the cause. Common symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, a burning ache in the upper abdomen, the feeling of fullness, abdominal bloating and gas cramping. In some cases you may have gastritis but have no symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you develop symptoms that last for more than a week, notice blood in your vomit or in your stool or develop severe abdominal pain, call your doctor immediately.

Bananas and Bland Foods

Gastritis can cause loose stools and diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration. Bananas are a bland food that is commonly recommended for gastritis to help stop diarrhea and to provide bulk for the stools. Talk with your doctor about a recommended food plan. Other bland foods that may help your diarrhea subside include toast, apple sauce, white rice, crackers and skinless chicken. As your symptoms begin to improve, your doctor may recommended adding more foods back into your diet.

Banana Allergy Consideration

If you notice that symptoms only develop when you eat bananas, you may have an allergy to the fruit. Although bananas are not considered a common food allergen, any food may trigger hypersensitivity in your body. If you’re allergic to bananas, your immune system mistakes the proteins in the fruit as dangerous and creates various chemicals that cause inflammation in the digestive system. If diagnosed with a banana allergy, you will need to avoid eating bananas altogether.

References

Article reviewed by Sue Last updated on: Sep 7, 2011

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