Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. Many things can cause gastritis. Most often the cause is infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori , which also causes stomach ulcers. An autoimmune disorder, a backup of bile into the stomach, or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can also cause gastritis. In some cases, the stomach lining may be "eaten away," leading to sores (peptic ulcers) in the stomach or first part of the small intestine. Gastritis can occur suddenly (acute gastritis) or gradually (chronic gastritis). In most cases, gastritis does not permanently damage the stomach lining.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptoms of gastritis are stomach upset and pain. Other possible symptoms include:
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Heartburn
- Abdominal pain
- Hiccups
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting, possibly of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Dark stools
Causes
Gastritis can be caused by infection, irritation, autoimmune disorders (where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the stomach), or backflow of bile into the stomach (bile reflux). Gastritis can also be caused by a blood disorder called pernicious anemia.
Infections can be caused by:
- Bacteria (usually Helicobacter pylori )
- Virus (including herpes simplex virus)
- Parasite
- Fungus
A number of things can cause irritation, including:
- Long-term use of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). Up to 20% of people who chronically use NSAIDs develop gastric problems.
- Alcohol use
- Cigarette smoking
- Chronic vomiting
- Coffee and acidic beverages
- Too much stomach acid (such as from stress)
- Eating or drinking caustic or corrosive substances (such as poisons)
- Trauma (for example, radiation treatments or having swallowed a foreign object)
Other causes for gastritis are very rare. These include:
- Systemic disease (for example, Crohn disease)
- Sarcoidosis
Risk Factors
- Infection with H. pylori
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Any condition that requires relief from chronic pain using NSAIDS, such as chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, or arthritis
- Alcoholism
- Cigarette smoking
- Older age
- Herpes simplex virus or cytomegalovirus
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Diagnosis
Several tests can be used to make a diagnosis. These include endoscopy of the stomach, where a thin tube with a light and a camera on the end is inserted down your throat into your stomach. This allows the doctor to see into your stomach and take samples (called a biopsy) from the lining if needed. The laboratory tests you may need will depend on the cause of your gastritis. Your doctor may use a stool test to check for the presence of blood, or your doctor may take a sample of tissue, called a biopsy, from your esophagus or stomach. A breath test or a biopsy may detect H. pylori .
Prevention
Making lifestyle changes, such as avoiding the long-term use of alcohol, NSAIDs, coffee, and drugs, may help prevent gastritis and its complications (such as a peptic ulcer). Reducing stress through relaxation techniques, including yoga, tai chi, and meditation, can also be helpful.
Treatment
Treatment of gastritis depends on the cause of the problem. Some cases of gastritis may resolve by themselves over time, or be relieved when you stop drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or taking NSAIDs. You may need to change your diet, although doctors now know that a bland diet is not required. If your gastritis is due to H. pylori infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
Lifestyle
The treatment for gastritis that is caused by irritants is to stop using them. These include:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Acidic beverages, such as coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated), carbonated beverages, and fruit juices with citric acid
- NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Switch to other pain relievers (like acetaminophen).
These steps may also help:
- Eat a fiber-rich diet.
- Foods containing flavonoids like apples, celery, cranberries (including cranberry juice), onions, garlic, and tea may stop the growth of H. pylori.
- Avoid high-fat foods. In animal studies, high-fat foods increase inflammation in the stomach lining.
Medications
If you have H. pylori , you will probably be prescribed three medications. Doctors commonly use "triple therapy," to treat H. pylori-related gastritis and ulcers, including a proton pump inhibitor to reduce acid production and two antibiotics. Bismuth salicylate (Pepto Bismol) may be used instead of the second antibiotic. This drug, available over the counter, coats and soothes the stomach, protecting it from the damaging effects of acid.
Some of the same drugs used for non- H. pylori gastritis as are used for symptoms (like indigestion) due to ulcers:
Antacids
Available over the counter, they may relieve heartburn or indigestion but will not treat an ulcer. Antacids may block medications from being absorbed and thereby decrease the medicine's effectiveness. Doctors recommend taking antacids at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking medications. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for more information. Antacids include:
- Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel, AlternaGEL)
- Magnesium hydroxide (Phillips' Milk of Magnesia)
- Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta)
- Calcium carbonate (Rolaids, Titralac, Tums)
- Sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer)
H2 blockers
Reduce gastric acid secretion. They include:
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Ranitidine (Zantac)
- Nizatidine (Axid)
- Famotidine (Pepcid)
Proton pump inhibitors
Decrease gastric acid production. They include:
- Esomeprazole (Nexium)
- Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
- Omeprazole (Prilosec)
- Pantoprazole (Protonix)
- Rabeprazole (AcipHex)
Nutrition and Dietary Supplements
Doctors used to recommend eating bland foods with milk and only small amounts of food with each meal. Researchers now know that such a diet is not required to treat gastritis or ulcers.
Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:
- Foods containing flavonoids, like apples, celery, cranberries (including cranberry juice), onions, garlic, and tea may inhibit the growth of H. pylori .
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
- Eat foods high in B vitamins and calcium, such as almonds, beans, whole grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), and sea vegetables.
- Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
- Eat lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein.
- Use healthy oils, such as olive oil.
- Reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids, found in commercially-baked goods, such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
- Avoid beverages that may irritate the stomach lining or increase acid production including coffee (with or without caffeine), alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.
- Identify and eliminate food allergies.
The following supplements may help with digestive health:
- A multivitamin daily , containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B vitamins, and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
- Omega-3 fatty acids , such as fish oil, may help decrease inflammation. Fish oil may increase the risk of bleeding. If you take aspirin or other anticoagulants (blood thinners), talk to your doctor before taking fish oil.
- Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus ). Probiotics or "friendly" bacteria may help maintain a balance in the digestive system between good and harmful bacteria, such as H. pylori . Probiotics may help suppress H. pylori infection, and may also help reduce side effects from taking antibiotics, the treatment for an H. pylori infection. Some probiotic supplements need to be refrigerated for best results. People who have weakened immune systems, or who are taking immune-suppressive drugs, should take probiotics only under the direction of their physician.
- Vitamin C . Studies show that pharmacological doses of vitamin C may improve the effectiveness of H. pylori-eradication therapy. Speak with your physician about what dose might be appropriate for you.
- Essential oils: Although there is no strong medical evidence, certain essential oils may aid in getting rid of gastritis. Oils such as lemon verbena and lemongrass oil reduce the impact of the H. pylori bacteria. Apart from this, oils such as ginger, peppermint, and clove help in improved digestion. These oils shouldn’t be ingested and must be used externally that too by diluting with the carrier oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, etc.
- Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar reduces the additional acid production in the belly and reinstates stability. It may even kill the bacteria that are creating harm to the stomach lining. Adding a little bit of honey in vinegar may further soothe the injured stomach lining.
- Garlic: Garlic is well-known for its antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It may help to manage gastritis by targeting H. pylori and reducing gas formation in the stomach.
- Coconut water: Coconut water and milk are said to have antiseptic potentials that may aid in killing bacteria. It may also help in strengthening the immune system and improving the healing process.
- Broccoli: Broccoli is a beneficial vegetable; it is one of the best home remedies to manage gastritis because it is even used in daily food. It gives many indispensable nutrients, which can help in relieving gastritis symptoms.
- Aloe vera: It has anti-inflammatory properties that may lessen and calm the stomach.
- Papaya: Papaya has loads of antioxidants. It even has papain, an enzyme that helps the digestion of nutritional proteins and reduces the formation of gas in the stomach.
- Anti-inflammatory diet: Consuming foods that have anti-inflammatory properties that can help in relieving symptoms of gastritis include:
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