GASTRITIS: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatments

by in Categories Health

Here are the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments for gastritis

GASTRITIS – This condition is described as the inflammation of the protective lining of the stomach and here are its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments. When the stomach lining becomes weak, this will allow digestive juices to damage and inflame it.

It is classified into three: acute gastritis which involves sudden, severe inflammation while chronic gastritis involves long-term inflammation that can last for years if it’s left untreated. The other less common form is erosive gastritis which does not cause too much inflammation but it can lead to bleeding and ulcers in the lining of the stomach.

gastritis
Photo courtesy of Times of India

SYMPTOMS

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • a feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen, particularly after eating
  • indigestion

For erosive gastritis, a person can experience these symptoms:

  • black, tarry stool
  • vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

CAUSES

  • extreme alcohol consumption
  • routine use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin
  • use of illegal substance
  • age, because the stomach lining thins naturally with age
  • tobacco use
  • stress caused by severe injury, illness, or surgery
  • autoimmune disorders
  • digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease
  • viral infections

DIAGNOSIS

  • physical exam
  • ask about your symptoms
  • ask for your family history
  • breath, blood, or stool test to check for H. pylori
  • endoscopy to check for inflammation
  • X-rays of your digestive tract after you swallow a barium solution, which will help distinguish areas of concern

TREATMENTS

Based on the article from Healthline, gastritis can lead to stomach bleeding as well as ulcers, if not treated. There is also a risk of developing stomach cancer, particularly in people with thinned stomach linings. That is why it is important to consult your doctor when you experience the symptoms of this condition.

READ ALSO: Left Side Abdominal Pain: What Could Be The Problem?

Leave a Comment