Gastritis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

                                                                                         

Gastritis, a condition that involves the irritation and inflammation of the stomach, afflicts millions of people. Any number of things causes it, from injury to bacteria. In that respect, it is akin to a headache: It can strike anyone, and it can be caused by a wide variety of factors both internal and external, but what is gastritis exactly?

Gastritis Causes

Gastritis can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or infection with bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Sometimes gastritis develops after major surgery, traumatic injury, burns, or severe infections. Certain diseases, such as pernicious anemia, autoimmune disorders, and chronic bile reflux, can cause gastritis as well.

Infection is the major cause in causing gastritis

Irregular or excessive eating The most frequent cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual overeating; eating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods; excessive intake of strong tea, coffee, or alcoholic drinks; or habitual use of large quantities of condiments and sauces.

Gastritis Signs and symptoms

Burning sensation in chest and upper abdomen.

Vague discomfort and stomach-aches are common.

Diagnosis of Gastritis

To diagnose gastritis, the physician takes a medical history and performs a physical examination. The patient's medical history includes information about previous health issues, lifestyle factors (e.g., tobacco and alcohol use), over-the-counter and medications (including herbal supplements and vitamins) and current symptoms.A physical examination is performed to assess general health and locate areas of discomfort, such as abdominal tenderness.

Blood test (to measure red blood cells and possibly detect anemia - a condition where there are not enough red blood cells present, which can cause gastritis).

Gastritis: Treatment

DUAL THERAPY. Dual therapy involves the use of an antibiotic and a proton pump inhibitor. Proton pump inhibitors help reduce stomach acid by halting the mechanism that pumps acid into the stomach. This also helps promote healing of ulcers or inflammation. Dual therapy has not been proven to be as effective as triple therapy, but may be ordered for some patients who can more comfortably handle the use of less drugs and will therefore more likely follow the two-week course of therapy.

Medications to shut down acid 'pumps.' Medications called proton pump inhibitors reduce acid by blocking the action of tiny pumps within the acid-secreting cells of your stomach. This class of medications includes omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex) and esomeprazole (Nexium).

Gastritis due to stress is best treated by prevention. Medications to decrease gastric acid production such as proton pump inhibitors should be given to stressed hospital patients.

The patient can, there after, gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely; seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits as outlined in Chapter 1 on Diet in health and Disease.

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