Gastritis

Gastritis affects almost half of the world's population and ranks among the most common digestive conditions. The stomach's protective lining becomes damaged or weak and leaves it exposed to digestive acids. Many people who have gastritis don't notice any symptoms.

People who develop symptoms often experience stomach pain, nausea, and indigestion. Helicobacter pylori bacteria cause about 50% of chronic cases worldwide. Pain reliever overuse, excessive alcohol consumption, and autoimmune responses can also trigger this condition. Acute, chronic, and erosive gastritis types show different symptoms and need specific treatment approaches.

This condition can progress into serious health problems without treatment. Patients might develop stomach bleeding and ulcers, while some rare cases lead to stomach tumours. People with certain forms of gastritis face a substantially higher risk of developing gastric adenocarcinoma compared to others. These complications might sound scary, but understanding the condition helps manage it effectively.

What is Gastritis?

A swollen and red stomach lining indicates gastritis. This inflammation changes how your stomach works and protects itself. The condition can strike suddenly (acute) or develop slowly over months or years (chronic).

Types of Gastritis

• Acute gastritis: Appears suddenly, lasting for days
• Chronic gastritis: Develops slowly, potentially lasting years
• Erosive gastritis: Wears away stomach lining, causing ulcers
• Non-erosive gastritis: Causes inflammation without ulcers

Chronic gastritis has three distinct types: 

• Type A - autoimmune 
• Type B - H. pylori-related
• Type C - chemical irritant-induced

Symptoms of Gastritis

Most people with gastritis show no symptoms. Common signs that might appear include:

• Burning pain in the upper abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feeling full quickly
• Bloating and belching
• Loss of appetite

Causes of Gastritis

Helicobacter pylori bacteria tops the list of causes. Other causes include:

• Regular use of pain relievers like ibuprofen
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Autoimmune responses
• The condition can also emerge from stress, particularly after surgery or severe illness.

Risks

Age increases gastritis risk as the stomach lining naturally thins. Smoking, high-fat diets, and traumatic experiences make you more vulnerable. People living with autoimmune disorders face a higher chance of developing gastritis.

Complications of gastritis

Untreated gastritis can progress into:

• Stomach ulcers 
• Gastric bleeding
• Iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies 
• Certain types of chronic gastritis raise stomach cancer risk, especially when the condition advances to atrophic gastritis.

Diagnosis

Doctors use several methods to diagnose gastritis:

• Blood tests check for anaemia, which can happen when gastritis makes your stomach bleed.
• Stool tests find H. pylori bacteria and look for blood in your faeces.
• Breath tests measure carbon dioxide levels after you drink a special liquid—high levels suggest an H. pylori infection.
• Endoscopy lets doctors look inside your stomach with a thin, flexible tube through your throat. They might take small tissue samples (biopsies) during this procedure.
• Barium swallow creates X-ray images of your digestive tract after you drink a chalky liquid that coats your organs.

Treatment for Gastritis

Your gastritis treatment depends on what's causing your gastritis:

For H. pylori infection, doctors prescribe:

• A mix of antibiotics to kill bacteria
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to lower acid

For non-bacterial gastritis:

• Antacids neutralise stomach acid quickly
• H2 blockers lower acid production
• PPIs decrease acid more effectively to help healing

If NSAIDs caused your gastritis, your doctor might tell you to:

• Stop or cut back on NSAID use
• Switch to other pain relievers like paracetamol

When to See a Doctor

Get medical help right away if you have:

• Severe stomach pain
• Symptoms that last more than a week
• Black, tarry stools - suggesting bleeding
• Blood in vomit or coffee-ground-like material

Prevention of Gastritis

You can prevent stomach inflammation by:

• Keeping good hygiene to avoid H. pylori infection
• Cutting down or avoiding alcohol
• Quitting smoking
• Managing your stress levels
• Being careful with NSAIDs

Home Remedies for Gastritis

Natural remedies that might help:

• Probiotics in yoghurt, kimchi or supplements help your digestive health
• Green tea with honey taken weekly might reduce H. pylori-related gastritis
• Garlic extract works against H. pylori bacteria
• Smaller, more frequent meals put less strain on your digestive system

Diet for Gastritis

Your food choices can affect your stomach's healing by a lot:

• Eat: Lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat foods
• Avoid: Spicy, acidic, fatty, fried, sugary, and processed foods that upset your stomach
• Strategy: Eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of three big ones

In stark contrast to this, fasting makes gastritis worse because it increases stomach inflammation.

Conclusion

Knowledge about gastritis empowers you to handle this common stomach condition that affects nearly half of the world's population. Many people never notice symptoms, yet understanding the condition helps you take control.

Gastritis shows up in several forms—acute, chronic, and erosive—each with its own characteristics. Your body signals warning signs through burning stomach pain, nausea, and quick feelings of fullness.

The root cause guides your treatment path. H. pylori bacteria, pain medications, alcohol, or your immune system can trigger the inflammation. Doctors use blood tests, endoscopies, and breath tests to identify the exact issue.

Treatment options work well against gastritis. Antibiotics combat bacterial infections, while PPIs reduce stomach acid. Simple changes in your daily routine make a significant difference.

Your body's signals matter deeply. Gastritis rarely causes serious complications, but untreated cases can develop into ulcers or increase cancer risk in rare cases. Severe pain, bloody stools, or symptoms that last over a week need immediate medical attention.

Most people return to comfortable digestion with proper care. Your stomach lining heals when you provide the right support.

FAQs

1. How to cure gastritis permanently?

Your path to permanent healing starts when you identify what damages your stomach lining:

• For H. pylori infections, antibiotics combined with acid-blocking medications will typically eliminate the bacteria completely.
• Your stomach can heal naturally when you stop taking NSAIDs or alcohol that triggered your gastritis.
• Autoimmune gastritis might not have a complete cure, but you can manage the symptoms effectively.

Recovery needs lifestyle changes beyond just taking medicine. Many doctors suggest you should avoid caffeine, spicy foods, and processed meats that upset your stomach. Adding green tea and high-fibre foods to your diet can help prevent future flare-ups.

2. How to relieve gastritis pain fast?

Quick relief options include:

• Take over-the-counter gastritis medication to reduce stomach acid quickly.
• Split your meals into smaller portions throughout the day instead of eating large portions that burden your stomach.
• Sip warm water to calm your digestive tract.
• Stay away from trigger foods that cause pain (usually spicy, acidic, or fatty items).

You need emergency medical care if you experience severe pain with blood in vomit or black stools.

3. How long does gastritis take to heal?

Your healing time depends on the type and treatment:

• Acute gastritis usually gets better within days with the right treatment.
• Chronic gastritis needs more time—from weeks to months—especially if you have ulcers.
• Untreated gastritis can last for years and increase your risk of complications.

The right treatment brings quick improvement. You need patience for complete healing, especially with chronic cases that have lasted a long time.

4. Is gastritis curable?

Most types of gastritis can be cured:

• H. pylori bacteria gastritis usually clears up after antibiotic treatment.
• NSAID-induced and alcohol-related gastritis go away when you stop using these substances.
• Autoimmune gastritis might not have a complete cure and needs ongoing management.

CARE Medical Team