Treatment for gastritis must be guided by a doctor, and the use of medicines to inhibit or neutralize the acid produced in the stomach, such as omeprazole, pantoprazole and calcium carbonate, may be indicated. In addition, the use of antibiotics may also be indicated to combat the bacteria. H. pylori, which may be present in cases of gastritis.
In addition to the medications recommended by your doctor, it is also important to pay attention to your diet, and it is recommended to give preference to foods that are easy to digest and that do not stimulate the production of acid in the stomach. See what the diet for gastritis should be like.
Some home remedies also have properties capable of relieving the symptoms of gastritis due to the reduction in stomach acidity, such as potato juice and aroeira tea, and should be used as a complement to the treatment indicated by the doctor.
1. Pharmacy remedies
Remedies for gastritis must be prescribed by a doctor and aim to reduce and/or neutralize stomach acidity, which helps to alleviate the discomfort caused by gastritis. Therefore, the doctor may recommend the use of:
- Acid production inhibitorssuch as omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, cimetidine and nizatidine;
- Antacidswhich neutralize the acid produced in the stomach, such as aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate;
- Antibioticsespecially in cases where infection by H. pylori, such as clarithromycin associated with amoxicillin or metronidazole.
It is essential that the medicines are used according to the doctor's instructions, as prolonged use of acid production inhibitors, for example, can increase the risk of developing a tumor in the stomach.
Furthermore, in the case of antibiotics, if the treatment is interrupted, it is possible that the bacteria will develop again and lead to the appearance of gastritis symptoms again. See more details about remedies for gastritis.
2. Home remedies
Home remedies for gastritis aim to complement the treatment recommended by the doctor and alleviate symptoms, as they are capable of reducing stomach acidity, promoting symptom relief. Furthermore, some home remedies improve digestion, promote gastric emptying and combat Helicobacter pylori.
Some options for home remedies for gastritis are potato juice, mastic tea, banana and pear juice and espinheira santa tea. Discover other home remedies for gastritis.
3. Diet
Diet is a fundamental part of treating gastritis, and it is important to include foods that are easy to digest and that prevent excessive production of acid in the stomach, which helps prevent and alleviate symptoms of gastritis. Therefore, some dietary guidelines for gastritis are:
- Eat small portions at a time, every 3 hours;
- Drink liquids only between meals;
- Give preference to cooked and grilled foods;
- Avoid condiments, sauces and flavor enhancers;
- Avoid any and all types of alcoholic, carbonated or industrialized drinks, including processed juices;
- Avoid raw and difficult-to-digest foods such as red meat;
- Avoid coffee, chocolate, black tea, as well as acidic fruits such as lemon, orange or pineapple.
It is recommended that your diet be guided by a nutritionist, as this means that a food plan can be drawn up according to your nutritional needs and the symptoms to be combatted. Learn more about the gastritis diet.
Signs of improvement and worsening
Signs of improvement in gastritis can be noticed during treatment and include reduced pain and easier digestion of food. Generally, nervous gastritis also improves when the patient becomes calmer.
On the other hand, signs of worsening appear when the individual does not follow the treatment correctly, consumes alcoholic beverages or eats acidic or fatty foods and includes increased pain, heartburn, swollen belly, nausea and vomiting.
Complications of gastritis
Complications from gastritis are more common in people who do not receive adequate treatment, which increases the risk of developing a gastric ulcer, which if not properly treated can increase the risk of stomach cancer. However, by carrying out treatment according to medical advice, a cure for gastritis can be achieved.
