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Gastritis

Gastritis is a general term for a group of conditions with one thing in common: Inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The inflammation of gastritis is most often the result of infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers or the regular use of certain pain relievers. Drinking too much alcohol also can contribute to gastritis.

Causes

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. The stomach lining is a mucus-lined barrier that protects the stomach wall. Weaknesses or injury to the barrier allows digestive juices to damage and inflame the stomach lining. Several diseases and conditions can increase the risk of gastritis. These include inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease.

Symptoms

Gastritis doesn’t always cause symptoms. When it does, the symptoms of gastritis may include:

  • Gnawing or burning ache or pain, called indigestion, in your upper belly. This feeling may become either worse or better after eating.
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating.

Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of gastritis include:

Bacterial infection. A bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori, also known as H. pylori, is one of the most common worldwide human infections. However, only some people with the infection develop gastritis or other upper gastrointestinal disorders. Healthcare professionals believe sensitivity to the germs could be inherited. Sensitivity also may be caused by lifestyle choices, such as smoking and diet.

  • Ringworm (dermatophytosis) – A group of fungi that live off of skin, hair and nail cells. They can infect your feet (tinea pedis/athlete’s foot), your groin and inner thighs (tinea cruris/jock itch), your scalp (tinea capitis), your hands (tinea manuum), your facial hair and skin around it (tinea barbae) and other parts of your body (tinea corporis). 
  • Onychomycosis- Infections of your fingernails or toenails. This can cause discoloured and cracked nails. 
  • Regular use of pain relievers. Pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause both acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. Using these pain relievers regularly or taking too much of these medicines may damage the stomach lining.
  • Older age. Older adults have an increased risk of gastritis because the stomach lining tends to thin with age. Older adults also have an increased risk because they are more likely to have H. pylori infection or autoimmune disorders than younger people are. 
  • Excessive alcohol use. Alcohol can irritate and break down your stomach lining. This makes your stomach more vulnerable to digestive juices. Excessive alcohol use is more likely to cause acute gastritis.
  • Stress. Severe stress due to major surgery, injury, burns or severe infections can cause acute gastritis.
  • Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy medicines or radiation treatment can increase your risk of gastritis.
  • Your own body attacking cells in your stomach. Called autoimmune gastritis, this type of gastritis occurs when your body attacks the cells that make up your stomach lining. This reaction can wear away at your stomach’s protective barrier.
  • Other diseases and conditions. Gastritis may be associated with other medical conditions. These may include HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, sarcoidosis and parasitic infections.

Treatment

Treatment of gastritis depends on the specific cause. Acute gastritis caused by NSAIDs or alcohol may be relieved by stopping use of those substances.

Medicines used to treat gastritis include:

  • Antibiotics to kill H. pylori. For H. pylori in your digestive tract, your healthcare professional may recommend a combination of antibiotics to kill the germs. Be sure to take the full antibiotic prescription, usually for 7 to 14 days.
  • Medicines that block acid production and promote healing.  Medicines called proton pump inhibitors help reduce acid. They do this by blocking the action of the parts of cells that produce acid.
  • Medicines that neutralize stomach acid.  Your healthcare professional may include an antacid in your treatment. Antacids neutralize existing stomach acid and can provide rapid pain relief. These help with immediate symptom relief but are generally not used as a primary treatment. Side effects of antacids can include constipation or diarrhea, depending on the main ingredients.

Conclusion

If left untreated, gastritis may lead to stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. Rarely, some forms of chronic gastritis may increase your risk of stomach cancer. This risk is increased if you have extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining’s cells.

Tell your healthcare professional if your symptoms aren’t improving despite treatment for gastritis.

 

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