Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause gas and diarrhea. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, drugs, autoimmune diseases, or smoking. Treatment includes medication, a bland diet, and testing for ulcers or H. pylori bacteria. Chronic gastritis should be considered a symptom of an underlying cause, and untreated peptic ulcers can become malignant. Symptoms should be monitored by a doctor to rule out other illnesses.
Gastritis, in its most basic form, is an upset stomach. Specifically, gastritis means that the stomach lining is inflamed. Gas and diarrhea can accompany gastritis, depending on the cause.
Most people have experienced this condition at one time or another in their lives. The causes can be bacterial, viral, fungal, from anti-inflammatory drugs, autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, or even caused by cigarette smoking.
Many people who experience this condition self-medicate first, and if the cause is transient, antacids and the like may be effective. However, for chronic gastritis, a person needs to see a doctor.
Your doctor will usually take a thorough medical history first and prescribe a proton pump inhibitor drug, to see if less acid in your stomach will solve the problem. Your doctor will also likely prescribe a bland diet low in fat and acids. If the symptoms do not resolve, the doctor will often order an upper gastrointestinal panel to determine if the patient has an ulcer causing the symptoms and will treat the patient accordingly.
If the patient does not have an ulcer, the doctor can then test for H. pylori and other Helicobacter species. If these bacteria are present, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics and keep the patient on the proton pump inhibitor, until the symptoms have resolved and the patient is no longer positive for H. pylori.
Chronic gastritis should be considered a symptom of an underlying cause. The chronic presence of H. pylori is known to contribute to stomach cancer, and an untreated peptic ulcer can also become malignant.
The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and promote healing of the stomach lining, especially from H. pylori. Most people are able to get relief with an initial proton pump inhibitor drug and later with over-the-counter antacids such as Maalox® or Mylanta®.
Gastritis is rarely fatal, but it can mask other illnesses such as acute coronary syndrome or ruptured aortic aneurysm. For this reason, a person should always see a doctor when symptoms do not subside.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
