Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, poor digestion, frequent belching or flatulence and a burning sensation.
Generally, gastritis occurs due to excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, prolonged use of anti-inflammatory medications or infection caused by the bacteria H. pylori. However, gastritis can also be a consequence of stress and nervousness, and is popularly known as nervous gastritis.
Understand better about gastritis with Dr. Antônio Carlos Morais in the following video:
Gastritis symptoms
The main symptoms of gastritis are:
- Stitch-like pain in the stomach;
- Abdominal discomfort;
- Swollen belly;
- Burning sensation in the stomach;
- Burping or flatulence;
- Feeling of a full stomach;
- Nausea and vomiting.
In the presence of these symptoms, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist so that the symptoms can be assessed and the most appropriate treatment can be indicated.
Symptom Test
To find out your risk of having gastritis, select the symptoms you present in the test below:
This test is only a guidance tool and, therefore, should not replace medical evaluation and diagnosis by a gastroenterologist or general practitioner.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of gastritis is made by the gastroenterologist by evaluating the person’s symptoms, lifestyle and health history.
If you want to confirm the risk of gastritis, make an appointment with the gastroenterologist in the nearest region:
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor also requests an upper digestive endoscopy, where it is possible to visualize the inflammation of the stomach mucosa, and it is also possible to do a urease test during the endoscopy to check the presence of H. pylori. See other tests that identify H. pylori.
If the doctor finds any changes in the stomach, a stomach biopsy may also be performed during the examination, to confirm the diagnosis and type of gastritis and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as stomach cancer or peptic ulcers, for example.
Possible causes
The possible causes of inflammation in the inner lining of the stomach and, consequently, gastritis are:
- H. pylori infection, a type of bacteria that attaches to the stomach, causing inflammation and destruction of the stomach lining;
- Frequent use of anti-inflammatoriessuch as Ibuprofen or Naproxen: these types of medicines reduce a substance that helps protect the stomach walls from the irritating effect of gastric acid;
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, as alcohol causes irritation of the stomach wall and also leaves the stomach unprotected from the action of gastric juices;
- High levels of stress, which alters gastric functioning, facilitating inflammation of the stomach wall.
Furthermore, people with autoimmune diseases, such as AIDS, are also at greater risk of having gastritis. Learn more about the causes of gastritis.
Types of gastritis
The types of gastritis, depending on the appearance of symptoms and the associated cause, are:
- Acute gastritis: when it appears suddenly and lasts a short time, and may be caused by viruses, bacteria or an injury;
- Chronic gastritis: is inflammation of the gastric mucosa that lasts more than three months and, in many cases, does not cause any type of symptoms;
- Erosive gastritis: when in addition to inflammation, there are also wounds, or ulcers, caused by the use of medications, inflammatory diseases or infections caused by viruses or bacteria;
- Enanthematous gastritis: when in addition to inflammation, there are redder areas in the stomach, without other lesions, which may be caused by a bacterial infection H. pyloriautoimmune diseases, excessive alcohol consumption or frequent use of medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids.
There is also nervous gastritis, a condition that causes symptoms during or after periods of stress or anxiety, causing a lump in the throat, heartburn, burning sensation and a bloated stomach. Learn more about nervous gastritis.
Read too: 5 main types of gastritis (and what to do)
How the treatment is carried out
Gastritis is treated by adopting a diet, using home remedies and medications, as advised by your doctor.
1. Diet
In the diet for gastritis, it is recommended to prioritize the consumption of cooked and unpeeled vegetables, lean meats, caffeine-free teas and easily digestible carbohydrates, such as white rice, potatoes and white bread.
Furthermore, it is also important to reduce the consumption of foods that promote gastric motility and increase the production of hydrochloric acid, such as coffee, black tea, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, very fatty and spicy foods, and sauces, for example. Find out what the diet for gastritis should be like.
2. Medications
Some medications for gastritis that may be recommended by your doctor are acid production inhibitors, such as omeprazole, pantoprazole and cimetidine, and antacids, such as aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate.
Furthermore, another medicine for gastritis that can be prescribed by the doctor is antibiotics, especially in cases of gastritis infection. H. pylori, such as clarithromycin associated with amoxicillin or metronidazole, for example. Discover other remedies recommended to treat gastritis.
3. Home remedies
Some home remedies for gastritis are espinheira-santa, fennel or chamomile tea, and natural juices, such as potato juice, aloe vera or kale juice with papaya and melon, as they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, helping to relieve poor digestion, burning and pain. See a list of home remedies for gastritis.
Is gastritis curable?
Gastritis can be cured when this condition is identified and treated correctly by a gastroenterologist, who may recommend the use of medications, such as omeprazole, antacids, or antibiotics, to protect the stomach or fight the bacteria. H. pylori, for example. Understand better about curing gastritis.
Possible complications
Gastritis, when not treated properly, can cause complications such as stomach bleeding, peptic ulcers, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency, for example.
Additionally, untreated chronic gastritis or gastritis caused by H. pylori can increase the risk of stomach cancer. Know how to identify the symptoms of stomach cancer.
How to prevent gastrite
Some tips that help prevent gastritis are:
- Set aside time to eat all meals of the day, such as breakfast, lunch and dinner;
- Avoid fasting for long periods;
- Wash your hands well before eating and after going to the bathroom;
- Drink only filtered or boiled water;
- Chew food well;
- Avoid excessive and/or frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Avoid very fatty foods, such as fried foods, ice cream,
Furthermore, it is also recommended to maintain a healthy diet and only use anti-inflammatory medications as advised by your doctor.
