Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, often caused by spicy food or alcohol. It can also be caused by stress, drugs, infections, burns, injuries, and diseases. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, weight loss, and bleeding. If left untreated, it can cause stomach ulcers and cancer. Diagnosis involves tests such as gastroscopy, blood tests, and stool cultures. Treatment includes antacids, avoiding certain foods, and quitting smoking.
Gastritis is an umbrella term used to describe a number of medical conditions characterized by an inflamed stomach lining. Additional associated symptoms include vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, weight loss, abdominal bleeding, blood in the stool or vomit, a feeling of fullness or burning in the stomach, and excessive belching. Gastritis is most commonly caused by eating spicy foods or drinking too much alcohol. This is because the stomach lining, though strong, becomes irritated and inflamed when it is unable to deal with acids and irritants quickly enough.
Gastritis can also be caused by stress or by using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or cocaine over a long period of time. Also, chemotherapy and major surgery can lead to gastritis. Infections, especially salmonella, E. coli and Helicobacter pylori, can also cause gastritis. Additionally, traumatic burns, injuries, and diseases such as autoimmune diseases, megaloblastic anemia, and chronic bile reflux can cause gastritis.
It is important for a person experiencing gastritis symptoms for more than a week to see a doctor. If gastritis is left untreated, it can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. For individuals with chronic gastritis that goes untreated, stomach cancer can occur. This is especially true if the stomach lining has significantly thinned or if the lining cells have undergone a change.
A person with gastritis symptoms may undergo a series of tests to confirm the disorder. A common test for gastritis is gastroscopy. A gastroscopy involves inserting a camera on a thin tube into the stomach through the patient’s mouth. Your doctor can then examine your stomach lining and may also biopsy a small piece for testing.
A blood test or stool culture may also be done to test for gastritis. These tests can identify anemia or other conditions that can lead to gastritis. In this way, the doctor can research possible underlying causes in order to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Other considerations when determining a treatment plan include the patient’s age, the patient’s overall health, and the extent of damage caused by the gastritis. Antacids are the most common form of treatment, although the patient may also be advised to avoid certain foods and to give up smoking.
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