Gastritis Health Video

Last Update: October 23, 2008

Video By: LIVESTRONG.COM

Gastritis is a term used to describe a group of conditions characterized by inflammation of the lining of your stomach. in some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn't serious and improves quickly with treatment. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for gastritis in this health video.

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Transcript of this video

Take Action

Avoid excess use of aspirin & alcohol
See your doctor
See doctor if vomiting blood

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

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SUSAN MCGLADERRY, BM, BCH, MRCP: Hello. My name is Dr. Sue McGladerry. I'm the medical director from FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary and I'd like to give you some information about gastritis. This is an inflammation or swelling of the lining of the stomach. There are many causes of gastritis and the most common are due to alcohol, erosion or loss of the protective layer of the stomach lining, also infection of the stomach with Helicobacter pylori bacteria, certain medications particularly aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; smoking also causes gastritis. Less commonly, gastritis can be due to autoimmune disorder such as pernicious anemia. Excessive secretion of gastric acid, for example from stress, is another cause. Eating or drinking a caustic or corrosive substance such as a poison has the same effect. Viral infections, especially in people with a weak immune system, can also result in gastritis. What are the main symptoms? Gastritis may occur as a sudden thing as an acute gastritis or it may be more of a chronic or gradual problem. There will often be abdominal pain, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. In some cases, people notice dark stools or they may vomit blood or something that looks like coffee grounds. How is gastritis diagnosed and treated? Usually the diagnosis is expected clinically and then confirmed endoscopically at gastroscopy. The treatment depends on treating the specific cause or removing any precipitating factors. Medications may be given that will neutralize or decreased the release of stomach acid. What about prevention of gastritis? It's important to avoid long term use of irritants, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and alcohol. And when should you see your doctor? You need to see your doctor urgently if you have abdominal pain and vomiting blood or passing dark stools; this can indicate serious bleeding from the digestive tract.