The main causes of gastritis include excessive alcohol consumption, long-term use of painkillers, Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection, stress, reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, and sometimes autoimmune diseases. These factors irritate the gastric mucosa and lead to inflammation. Gastritis can be controlled with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If you experience persistent stomach upset or if your symptoms become severe, it is important to see a healthcare professional.
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. The stomach lining is covered with a layer of mucus that covers and protects the inner surface of the stomach. Gastritis causes this mucus layer to become damaged or irritated. This condition can cause stomach acid and other digestive enzymes to come into direct contact with the stomach lining, leading to symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. We can give the following answers to the question of what causes gastritis:
- Excessive stomach acid production can cause gastritis. Stress, smoking, alcohol and some medications can increase stomach acid production.
- Helicobacteria infection can irritate the stomach lining, causing gastritis and ulcers.
- Bacterial infections such as E.coli, norovirus and viral infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C can cause gastritis.
- Some drug use can irritate the stomach lining and cause gastritis.
- Some chronic diseases, such as Ctohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and Sjögren’s syndrome, can cause gastritis.
How to understand that it is gastritis?
Gastritis can be acute or chronic. Acute gastritis is usually a short-term event and resolves spontaneously or with treatment. Chronic gastritis is a condition that lasts longer and can lead to more serious complications. Symptoms of gastritis include:
- Stomache ache: Stomach pain is the most common symptom of gastritis. The pain is usually felt in the upper abdomen and may be more severe after meals or when fasting.
- Nausea and vomiting: Gastritis can cause nausea and vomiting. Vomiting may sometimes be bloody.
- Anorexia: Gastritis can cause loss of appetite.
- Burping: Belching is a common symptom of gastritis.
- Black colored stool: Gastritis can cause black stools.
Chronic gastritis is long-term inflammation of the stomach lining. The stomach lining is covered with a layer of mucus that covers and protects the inner surface of the stomach. Chronic gastritis causes this mucus layer to become damaged or irritated. This condition can cause stomach acid and other digestive enzymes to come into direct contact with the stomach lining, leading to symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. The most common symptoms of chronic gastritis are:
- Stomache ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anorexia
- Burping
- Black colored stool
- weight loss
- dizziness
- Weakness
- cramps
- tooth loss
What is the difference between gastritis and reflux?
Gastritis and reflux are two different conditions related to the stomach. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. Reflux is the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. The difference between gastritis and reflux can be summarized as follows:
- Gastritis affects the stomach lining. Reflux of stomach contents affects the esophagus.
- Symptoms of gastritis include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Symptoms of reflux include heartburn, sour vomit, hoarseness and sore throat.
Gastritis treatment varies depending on its cause. Acute gastritis usually goes away on its own. However, in some cases, treatment may be required. Treatment usually includes medication and dietary changes. Chronic gastritis treatment varies depending on the cause and severity of symptoms. Treatment usually includes medication and dietary changes. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required. Reflux treatment usually involves medication. In some cases, dietary changes and lifestyle changes may also be required.
What is the treatment for gastritis?
Gastritis treatment may vary depending on the underlying causes and symptoms. Treatment is usually aimed at relieving symptoms, healing the gastric mucosa and eliminating the cause of the disease. If your gastritis is caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria infection, doctors usually recommend a treatment plan with antibiotics. This is intended to control the infection by killing the bacteria.
Some medications that protect the stomach may help reduce inflammation by protecting the mucosal layer. If the cause of gastritis is excessive alcohol consumption, long-term use of painkillers or another medical condition, the treatment plan can be tailored to these reasons. For example, excessive alcohol consumption should be stopped or pain medication use should be reduced. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can worsen gastritis symptoms. Therefore, it may be important to stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption. Additionally, avoiding spicy, fatty and acidic foods and eating small and frequent meals can also help reduce gastritis symptoms.