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Gastritis
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
Gastritis is a gastroenterological disease characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by any etiological factor, including infection (Helicobacter pylori), medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), alcohol, stress and autoimmune processes.
[ What causes gastritis?
The acute course of the disease develops as a result of the influence of irritating factors on the mucous membrane of the stomach. These factors include acids, alkalis, very cold or, conversely, too hot food. Gastritis can occur as a result of exposure to certain medications. These include acetylsalicylic acid, nurofen, ibuprofen, nemisil, nemigesic.
Predisposing factors
Most often, gastritis is preceded by factors such as frequent violation of the diet; excessive consumption of very spicy food; too hot or, conversely, cold food; long-term treatment with medications that irritate the gastric mucosa; heredity; gout.
Gastritis is manifested by acute pain in the epigastric region, both after eating and on an empty stomach, belching, a feeling of heaviness, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, bloating and flatulence.
If therapy is not started in a timely manner, acute gastritis becomes chronic, often worsening.
Gastritis is classified as erosive or nonerosive based on the extent of mucosal damage. It is also classified by the site of the process (i.e., cardiac, corpus, antrum). Gastritis may also be classified histologically as acute or chronic based on the type of cellular inflammation. However, no classification scheme completely corresponds to the pathophysiology; many combinations of pathological changes exist. Some forms include acid-peptic lesions and Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Often, the term includes nonspecific symptoms of gastritis (often undiagnosed), abdominal discomfort, and gastroenteritis.
Acute gastritis is characterized by infiltration of the gastric mucosa and antrum by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN).
Chronic gastritis is characterized by a certain degree of mucosal atrophy (with loss of mucosal function) or metaplasia. The process predominantly affects the antral region (with subsequent death of G cells and decreased secretion of gastrin) or the body of the stomach (with loss of acid-producing glands, leading to decreased acidity, pepsin production, and intrinsic factor).
How does gastritis manifest itself?
Most often, gastritis is asymptomatic, that is, there are no symptoms of gastritis, but sometimes dyspepsia and gastrointestinal bleeding develop. With gastritis, the patient complains of pain in the upper abdominal cavity, bouts of nausea and vomiting, heartburn, general weakness, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. In this situation, it is customary to immediately consult a doctor, since acute gastritis can become chronic if measures are not taken in a timely manner.
Possible complications
If the patient does not pay close attention to his health and delays contacting a gastroenterologist, then gastritis after it becomes chronic can be complicated by gastric bleeding, stomach ulcers, perforation of the stomach walls, and erosions.
How to recognize gastritis?
The diagnosis of gastritis is established by endoscopy.
Methods of examination of a patient with suspected gastritis
In order to accurately confirm or refute the diagnosis of gastritis, the doctor prescribes the patient such examination methods as ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract; FGDS (fibrogastroduodenoscopy); examination of gastric juice for its acidity level; biopsy; blood test (general); X-ray of the abdominal organs.
What do need to examine?
What tests are needed?
Who to contact?
How is gastritis treated?
Treatment of gastritis is directed at the underlying cause, but often includes acid suppression and, in the case of H. pylori infection, antibiotics.
How should a sick person behave?
It is important to remember that only a qualified doctor can diagnose gastritis and determine the form of its course after a thorough examination of the patient, collecting anamnesis, and the patient having passed all the necessary tests and examinations. After that, based on the diagnosis and the form of the disease, the doctor prescribes adequate therapy.
It is difficult to overestimate the role of the patient in the treatment of gastritis, since the outcome of the therapy depends on him. The patient must strictly adhere to the diet prescribed by the doctor, take all medications on time and take the necessary tests.
Features of diet therapy
When treating gastritis, the patient must adhere to the diet prescribed by the doctor, which excludes such foods as various strong broths; strong tea and coffee; seasonings and spices; smoked meats, sausages, hot dogs; canned goods; fried and fatty foods; alcoholic beverages; baked goods, fresh white bread.
Gastritis can be successfully treated if the patient consults a specialist in a timely manner. The basis of therapy in the treatment of this disease is
- strict adherence to the diet prescribed by the doctor;
- taking medications that normalize the acidity of gastric juice;
- taking enveloping drugs (Almagel, Smecta);
- taking antibacterial drugs if the Helicobacter pylori bacteria is detected.
More information of the treatment
Prevention
In order to avoid developing gastritis, it is necessary to eat right, not to abuse unhealthy food, smoked foods, and to give up bad habits. At the slightest suspicion of gastritis, you should seek medical help.