Gastropathy of the stomach: what it is and how to treat it

Gastropathy is a general term for various stomach diseases, translated from Greek means stomach pain, suffering. Gastritis and gastropathy are often confused, but in medicine these are different concepts. Gastritis refers to changes in the gastric mucosa, confirmed by morphological studies, which are characteristic of inflammation. To make such a diagnosis, material (biopsy) is taken by endoscopy and its histology is performed. Gastropathy implies damage to the epithelial lining, changes in blood vessels and capillaries, and sometimes minor inflammation of the mucosa.

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Epidemiology

The epidemiology of the disease shows that every second inhabitant of the planet suffers from digestive disorders, and in those over 50 years of age, there are more than 60%. If we consider that at first the disease often does not reveal itself, and therefore is not recorded, then the picture is even more large-scale.

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Causes gastropathies

Gastropathy is considered to be a consequence of the influence of external (exogenous) or internal (endogenous) irritating factors. Exogenous factors include:

• poor nutrition;
• use of strong alcohol and drugs;
• smoking.

Endogenous means:

• reflux of bile from the duodenum;
• taking medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• long-term stagnation processes;
• burns and injuries;
• insufficient blood supply to the stomach walls.

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Risk factors

Risk factors include any of the causes that can cause gastropathy. This includes uncontrolled intake of medications, irregular meals containing coarse, fatty and spicy foods, nicotine and low-quality alcohol. Old age, female gender, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as ignoring health problems are a serious risk zone for the development of gastropathy.

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Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of gastropathy consists of a complete or partial change in the structure of the gastric mucosa, failures in the functions of the cells of its glands, which leads to disturbances in its digestive and contractile activity. In essence, this is chronic gastritis that lasts for a long time, was not treated or was treated incorrectly and led to pathological changes. There is no inflammatory process or it is insignificant.

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Symptoms gastropathies

Gastropathy at the initial stages is asymptomatic. Often the first signs are obscured by symptoms indicating other pathologies, against the background of which this disease develops. But after some time the disease will make itself known by heaviness in the stomach, its overflow, heartburn, belching, nausea, sometimes vomiting, flatulence.

Gastropathy in children

In terms of incidence, gastropathy in children ranks second after respiratory infections. The leader is acute gastropathy, which is characterized by a sudden onset and rapid progression. It can develop even in infancy when switching to artificial feeding or from food allergens. Irritants such as infectious massive invasions, medications, spoiled foods and milk formulas are also possible. The disease manifests itself as general malaise, anxiety, pain in the stomach and navel, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. The acute stage can become chronic, which is characterized by "hunger" pains, a feeling of distension and fullness in the stomach. The chronic stage can become a "companion" of the child for a long period of life.

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Stages

The stages of the disease are determined by the nature of the course, duration of the disease, effectiveness of treatment, and the condition of the inner surface of the stomach. There are several classifications of gastropathy. According to one of them, acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) courses of the disease are distinguished, they are distinguished by the type of inflammatory infiltrations (seals). Another system implies the following stages:

1. initial - characterized by minor inflammation of the mucous surface without disruption of its structure;
2. chronic – occurs with late diagnosis and lack of treatment, affects the secretion of gastric juice; leads to the development of erosions, ulcers and damage to the secretory glands (diffuse);
3. atrophic - indicates that the disease is advanced; it is characterized by degeneration of the stomach walls, replacement of individual areas with connective tissue, and deterioration of general well-being;
4. hypertrophic - the most severe, in which the walls of the stomach thicken and become rough, and cysts and adenomas form on the mucous membrane; the patient loses weight.

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Acute gastropathy

Acute gastropathy occurs with short-term exposure of the stomach to a damaging agent (infection, concentrated acids, alkalis, alcohol), manifested by pain in the epigastric region, nausea, belching, vomiting, diarrhea. During examination, the doctor notes a dry tongue coated with a white coating, a bloated abdomen, painful sensations upon palpation, and sometimes an increase in temperature. Blood analysis shows neurophilic leukocytosis.

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Chronic gastropathy

Chronic gastropathy is a slowly progressing disease, accompanied by gradual changes in the gastric mucosa in the form of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Over time, epithelial cells atrophy, the functions of the stomach are impaired, which affects the secretion of pepsin and hydrochloric acid. Chronic gastropathy often occurs without any clinical manifestations, but during exacerbations it makes itself known with nausea, belching, loose stools, heartburn, pain. The clinical picture of chronic gastropathy with increased and decreased secretion of hydrochloric acid is different. The first is more common in young men, the second - in middle-aged and elderly people.

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Moderate gastropathy

Gastropathy is based on the mutation of cells of the inner epithelial layers into connective tissues. Such degeneration is called dysplasia of the epithelium of the glands. Several stages of gastropathy are distinguished, depending on the degree of damage to this layer: weak, moderate and severe or pronounced. The first two stages are similar in severity and are combined into one group, the tissues of the affected foci are monomorphic large cubic cells with large light nuclei. They have a disorganizing effect on the work of healthy cells of the mucous layer of the epithelium.

Gastropathy 1st and 2nd degree

Gastropathy of the 1st degree corresponds to minor changes in the epithelium, a decrease in the secretion of gastric juice. Gastropathy of the 2nd degree is deeper and more obvious pathological processes, the degeneration of cells occurs faster than at the 1st degree. But these stages are reversible with timely initiation of therapy.

Forms

Under the single name of "gastropathy" there are many chronic diseases of the stomach, not all of which have been sufficiently studied, therefore there are various classifications of them and they are conditional. Endoscopic classification of gastropathy is based on three consecutive stages: description, interpretation and final conclusion.

The description includes a visual assessment of the stomach surface, movement and size of its walls, color of the mucous membrane, and presence of damage. The interpretation provides answers to the questions specified in the referral for gastroendoscopy, taking into account the clinical diagnosis. A biopsy is taken for a final conclusion.

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Erythematous gastropathy

Erythematous gastropathy is a reddening of the gastric mucosa and is detected by endoscopic examination. A distinction is made between focal gastropathy, covering one or several separate areas of the stomach, and widespread gastropathy, covering the entire surface of the organ or most of it. Focal gastropathy is asymptomatic, but with its more extensive distribution, sensations characteristic of gastritis appear: heaviness and pain in the epigastric region, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, belching, general weakness, heartburn.

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Erosive gastropathy

Erosive gastropathy is characterized by the occurrence of mucosal damage - erosions. They are divided into acute, 1-2 mm in size, and chronic, from 3 to 7 mm, externally similar to pimples with a depression in the middle. The main cause of erosive gastropathy is the aggressive impact of endogenous and exogenous factors: burns, injuries, medications, bile reflux, bacterial invasions. It can be asymptomatic or make itself known by pain in the right hypochondrium, flatulence, and sometimes gastric bleeding.

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Congestive gastropathy

Congestive gastropathy implies a violation of the gastrointestinal tract motility. It is expressed by ulcers and erosions in the lower antral part of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. Deterioration of the organ's blood supply occurs mainly from the negative effects of alcohol, nicotine, and Helicobacter pylori contamination. This type of gastropathy often accompanies liver and kidney pathology, stomach ulcers, burns, and pancreatic tumors.

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Atrophic gastropathy

With atrophic gastritis, the cells of the secretory glands degenerate, atrophy and lose the ability to perform their functions. Damaged cells, under the influence of autoimmune reactions, give birth to their own kind, pathological regeneration occurs and mucus is produced instead of gastric juice. This diagnosis is characterized by low stomach acidity, which in itself is not the worst thing, since it can be artificially increased. A more dangerous consequence is the emergence of neoplasms, including malignant ones. The term subatrophic gastropathy is considered obsolete, in modern clinical practice it is almost never used. It implies the initial stage of atrophic gastropathy.

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Antral gastropathy

Antral gastropathy affects the antral part of the stomach, whose function is to grind food to a size of 1.5-2 mm and push it into the duodenum through the pyloric sphincter. In the location of the pylorus, mucus is secreted - an alkaline environment that neutralizes the effect of hydrochloric acid. In addition, the endocrine cells of the glands of this section produce hormones gastrin, endorphins, serotonin. Disruption of this part of the stomach leads to a decrease in the rate of movement of food through the digestive tract, resulting in stagnation in the stomach, fermentation. A person feels heaviness, pain syndrome. More often this pathology affects elderly people, but it also occurs in young people. The absence of treatment can lead to the formation of an ulcer, which in this place of localization is quite easily treated.

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Catarrhal gastropathy

Catarrhal implies the simplest form of gastropathy, in which inflammation spreads only to the upper layers of the gastric mucosa. It can be accompanied by both increased secretion of gastric juice and its insufficiency, and symptoms characteristic of these conditions. The causes of pathology are different, including a violation of the diet, food poisoning, chemical, traumatic factors.

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Hyperplastic gastropathy

Hyperplastic gastropathy is characterized by an excessive increase in the number of cells of the secretory glands, due to which tissue proliferation and the formation of folds and growths inside the stomach occurs. This form of gastritis is more common in young and old people, mostly men. The following diseases are classified as hyperplastic gastritis:

• Menetrier syndrome, which is characterized by the appearance of deep immobile folds and the possibility of their spreading to the intestinal walls;
• Zollinger-Ellison disease, in which there is excessive secretion of gastrin, leading to the formation of erosions, ulcers and gastrinomas;
• hypersecretory gastritis.

Diffuse gastropathy

The term "diffuse" refers to the prevalence of pathological processes throughout the entire body of the stomach or most of it. Diffuse gastropathy manifests itself both in acute and chronic forms. The cause of its occurrence can be any of the above. Its superficial form is the mildest, has no symptoms, is usually discovered accidentally during gastropathy. Long-term chronic course causes structural changes in the mucosa and manifests itself with symptoms characteristic of gastritis.

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Reflux gastropathy

Reflux gastropathy is various damages to the stomach as a result of throwing the contents of the duodenum into it. Most often, its antral section suffers. Bile acids and their salts, pancreatic enzymes and other components, getting through a poorly closing pylorus into the stomach, negatively affect its mucous membrane, causing inflammation, erosion, ulcers. Such gastropathy manifests itself in pain without clear localization, white coating on the tongue, belching.

Hyperemic gastropathy

Hyperemic gastropathy is caused by increased blood flow to the gastric mucosa; during examination, gastroendoscopy reveals redness and bruising, swelling. It can be focal, in individual small areas, and widespread, and can cover various parts of the organ.

Hypertrophic gastropathy

Hypertrophic gastropathy is a deep deformation of the stomach walls, which affects not only the mucous layer, but also the muscular layer. In other words, this is the process of formation of benign tumors. Depending on the type of deformation, polypous gastropathy, warty, granular or cystic and Menetrier's disease are distinguished. Neoplasms can be single or multiple, focal and diffuse. They are more common in males due to their inherent intemperance in drinking alcohol, smoking, fatty and spicy foods.

Portal gastropathy

Portal gastropathy is various damages of the mucous and submucous layers of the stomach caused by vasodilation due to portal hypertension. In the portal vein system, the pressure increases and this leads to dilation of the capillaries, arterioles and veins of the stomach walls and their increased blood filling. There are several degrees of severity of the disease:

• mild (a mosaic pattern formed by vessels is observed on the surface of the mucous membrane);
• medium (appearance of red solid fragments);
• severe (fusion of pinpoint hemorrhages into a black-brown pattern).

There is no inflammatory process in portal gastropathy. Minor gastric bleeding is possible, which in itself does not entail irreparable consequences.

Associated gastropathy

Associated gastropathy includes pathology caused by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Currently, the use of NSAIDs is becoming widespread, as it is an effective means for the treatment of the musculoskeletal system, migraines, fevers, for the prevention of vascular diseases, in dentistry and oncology for pain relief. But in addition to a specific direction of action, systemic use of drugs can damage the mucous membrane of the digestive organs, cause ulcers and erosions, gastric bleeding, obstruction. Often, against the background of pain sensations of the underlying disease, NSAID-associated gastropathy does not give noticeable symptoms, therefore it is detected already at the stage of complications.

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Exudative gastropathy

Exudative gastropathy has another name - Menetrier's disease, named after the French doctor who described it in 1888. This is a fairly rare disease, consisting of the formation of deep folds on the wall of the stomach, the height of which can sometimes reach 3-3.5 cm. At the same time, there is a decrease in the main and parietal cells, and the number of cells producing mucus increases. The causes of the pathology have not been sufficiently studied. It is assumed that the disease can be provoked by long-term exposure to alcohol, heavy metals, heredity, metabolic disorders. Sometimes exudative gastropathy is considered a benign tumor. This diagnosis can be suggested by aching pain in the stomach area that occurs after eating, loss of appetite, often weight loss, sometimes slight bleeding.

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Granular gastropathy

Granular gastropathy got its name thanks to the visual assessment that gastroenterologists give during an endoscopic examination. The walls of the stomach with this pathology are covered with small granular formations (from several millimeters to a centimeter). The disease develops mainly in men after 40 years. At first, it does not manifest itself in any way, later it leads to swelling of the mucous membrane and disruption of protein metabolism.

Lymphoid gastropathy

Lymphoid or lymphocytic gastropathy is considered a rare disease that occurs against the background of long-term chronic gastritis. It is characterized by the accumulation of lymphocytes in the form of follicles at the site of damage to the epithelium of the gastric mucosa or duodenum. If the chronic course of the disease is caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, there is a sharp increase in the cells of the follicular layer - lymphofollicular hyperplasia, in which the folds of lymphoid tissue become larger. Doctors believe that this is the body's response to the proliferation of bacteria. In addition to a biopsy, with such a diagnosis, X-rays are performed to determine the degree of tissue proliferation and the risk of degeneration into malignant neoplasms.

Reactive gastropathy

Reactive gastropathy is also called chemical. The most common cause of this disease is bile reflux and long-term use of NSAIDs. The effect of these factors on the condition of the gastric mucosa has already been described above. It has also been noted that it develops in patients who have undergone stomach surgery.

Ulcerative gastropathy

Ulcer gastropathy refers to the acute form of the disease. A few hours after the damaging agent has entered the body, the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane rapidly develops. After some time, the person experiences symptoms characteristic of poisoning: nausea, vomiting, a feeling of distension in the stomach area. Often there is blood in the vomit, and after emptying the stomach, vomiting of bile begins. In such cases, it is necessary to urgently contact a medical institution in order to stop the pathological process in time and avoid serious complications.

Papular gastropathy

Papular gastropathy is characterized by the formation of single papules in different parts of the stomach or multiple ones concentrated in one. In medical terminology, this is called erosion. It does not affect the deep layers of the mucous membrane, and does not leave a muscle scar when healing.

Uremic gastropathy

Uremic gastropathy occurs in patients with chronic renal failure, which affects many human organs, but most often the gastrointestinal tract. It acts as a compensatory mechanism in nitrogen and electrolyte metabolism when these functions of the kidneys are impaired. As a result of the breakdown of urea in the stomach, ammonia is formed, which provokes increased secretion of hydrochloric acid. The consequences of this process are inflammation of the mucous membrane, the formation of erosions and ulcers, bleeding. Another option is a decrease in acidity due to the loss of sensitivity of parietal cells to gastrin, the development of mucous atrophy, which is even more dangerous to health.

Induced gastropathy

The word "induce" is interpreted as "to influence". The medical term "induced gastropathy" means the occurrence of a disease under the influence of something. Most often, this refers to the involvement of medications in the onset of a pathogenic process. In the specialized literature, there are descriptions of NSAID-induced, aspirin-induced gastropathy, which we have already considered.

Mixed gastropathy

Mixed gastropathy occurs as a result of the development of its different forms. Most often, the patient is diagnosed with erosive, superficial, hemorrhagic and hypertrophic gastropathy. As a rule, superficial gastropathy, which does not affect the deep layers of the mucous membrane, with its chronic course can be aggravated by the formation of erosions and disruption of blood microcirculation in the vessels and capillaries of the stomach and go into a severe hypertrophic stage.

Complications and consequences

If gastropathy is not detected and treated in a timely manner, the pathological process may progress to the stage of complications, consisting of digestive disorders due to insufficient production of gastric juice and pepsin, congestion in the antral part of the stomach caused by motility disorders. The consequences may include the development of B12-deficiency anemia due to impaired absorption of nutrients by the stomach, the formation of tumors, including malignant ones, and gastric bleeding.

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Diagnostics gastropathies

Diagnosis of gastropathy is performed by a gastroenterologist. Clarification of the disease history and clinical picture may not be sufficient to establish a diagnosis. There is a whole range of measures that allow us to give an accurate picture of pathologies. This includes laboratory evaluation of the material being studied, the use of instrumental diagnostics, and differentiation from other diseases.

If gastropathy is suspected, a histological analysis is performed by examining a tissue sample (biopsy). For this, material is taken separately from areas of visible damage and healthy tissue adjacent to them. Such an analysis allows one to determine certain types of chronic gastritis or establish the nature of neoplasms. Two types of tests are used to determine the condition of the mucous membrane: for acidity (intragastric pH-metry) and for the ratio of pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II in plasma - proenzymes produced by the fundic glands of the stomach. An analysis for the presence of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium is also performed, and a biochemical genetic study is also possible. The standard procedure is a general and biochemical blood test, urine analysis (to determine the level of uropepsin) and feces (co-program).

When conducting instrumental diagnostics, they resort to conventional and ultrasound endoscopy. The advantage of the latter is the unique opportunity not only to visually see the esophagus, stomach, duodenum from the inside with the help of an optical device, but also to obtain an image on the screen thanks to a special sensor. For a more accurate diagnosis, fluoroscopy is also prescribed.

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Differential diagnosis

Based on the many types of gastropathies and the causes that gave rise to them, it is important to conduct a differentiated diagnosis, since each of them has its own treatment features. In addition, chronic gastropathy with increased acidity is similar in symptoms to peptic ulcer disease, but with less pronounced pain, not seasonal in nature and decreasing with diet. It is also necessary to differentiate the disease from chronic cholecystitis, pancreatitis, malignant tumor.

Treatment gastropathies

Treatment of gastropathy depends on many factors: the nature of the pathology, the causes of its occurrence, the type (acute or chronic). The tactics of treating acute gastritis is to eliminate the damaging factor - gastric lavage, using a probe or drinking plenty of fluids followed by inducing vomiting, taking a sorbent, gastrocytoprotective drugs, enzymes, antispasmodics for severe pain. Treatment of chronic gastritis does not have such a specific protocol, since it is different with different acidity of the stomach. Thus, with hyperacid gastropathy, antisecretory therapy is carried out, proton pump inhibitors are used; they are not required for the treatment of atrophic gastropathy, but drugs that normalize gastric motility, iron preparations, vitamins are needed. Antibacterial drugs are used if Helicobacter bacteria are detected. Common to all types of gastropathy is the use of enzyme preparations, gastrocytoprotectors, painkillers, as well as diet therapy and hydrotherapy.

Medicines

Let us dwell in more detail on the drugs used to treat gastropathy. The composition of antisecretory therapy includes the following drugs: ranitidine, famotidine, quamatel, proton pump inhibitors - esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole.

Ranitidine - selectively blocks histamine H2 receptors, preventing the production of hydrochloric acid. Available in tablets and injection solutions. Prescribed in a dose of 0.15 g in the morning and evening or 0.3 g before bedtime for 1 or 2 months. Side effects are rare, but can be expressed in headaches, dizziness, fatigue, skin rashes. Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women and children under 14 years of age.

Esomeprazole - capsules, doses are prescribed individually, on average it is 0.02 g once before breakfast, if necessary it can be increased to 0.04 g. The course of treatment is 2-4 weeks. Side effects are drowsiness, numbness of the extremities, diarrhea, abdominal pain, stomatitis. Not prescribed to pregnant and nursing mothers.

Anti-Helicobacter therapy includes the following drugs: ornidazole, amoxicillin, metronidazole; bismuth preparations: vikalin, de-nol. Gastrocytoprotectors that protect the gastric mucosa from aggressive effects include maalox, almagel, phosphalugel, gastromax.

Gastromax - available in the form of chewable tablets. Used from the age of 12. Daily dose - 2 pcs. for heartburn or an hour after eating. The response to taking the drug is nausea, constipation, allergy. Contraindicated for pregnant women, hypersensitivity, renal failure.

In acute gastropathy, sorbents are used: atoxil, enterosgel, activated carbon.

Atoxil is a 4th generation enterosorbent, produced in powder form, sold in bottles. Before use, open the package and add water to the 250 ml mark, shake until completely dissolved. Taking the drug is sometimes accompanied by constipation. During breastfeeding, up to one year of age and during pregnancy, it is better to refrain from treatment with the drug, since the negative effects on this contingent have not been studied.

Enzyme preparations that help digest food are: Creon, Mezim, Festal. Those that improve gastric motility include: Motilium, Cerucal.

Cerucal - tablets that normalize the tone of the digestive organs. Half an hour before meals, you need to drink 10 mg, 3-4 times a day. For children, the dose is calculated at 0.1 mg per kilogram of weight. The course of treatment can last from one to 6 months. Side effects are possible from the central nervous system (tinnitus, anxiety, depression), cardiovascular (high blood pressure, tachycardia), endocrine (menstrual irregularities), as well as allergies and diarrhea. Contraindicated in case of intestinal obstruction, gastric bleeding, epilepsy, and extreme sensitivity to the components of the drug.

To relieve pain caused by gastropathy and to relieve spasms, no-shpa and riabal are prescribed.

Vitamins

In diseases of the digestive organs, due to poor absorption of nutrients necessary for the body by the stomach walls, there is a lack of vitamins and microelements. In order not to provoke hypovitaminosis, which can lead to other failures, you need to saturate your diet with foods containing the necessary components, or take pharmacy vitamins. Their composition depends on the type of gastropathy, stomach acidity, so only a doctor can prescribe. For hypocidal gastritis, vitamin E is prescribed, it is present in fats, milk, vegetable oil. For low acidity, vitamins C (found in rose hips, citrus fruits, cabbage) and PP (in meat, fish) are suitable. A deficiency of vitamin B6 may occur, leading to metabolic disorders, nervous disorders. It enters the body with grain bread, beans, peas. Lack of B12 causes anemia, it works well with folic acid, is found in animal products. Vitamin A prevents infections from entering through damaged mucous membranes; its source is vegetable and butter oil, cereals.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapeutic treatment of gastropathy is indicated after the exacerbation has been relieved. The methods aimed at eliminating the disease include:

• secretion correction (magnetic therapy, mineral waters);
• vegetative-corrective (electrosleep, aerotherapy);
• anti-inflammatory (cryo-, UHF-therapy);
• regenerative (infrasound, infrared laser therapy);
• antispasmodic (galvanization, paraffin therapy);
• sedative (pine and mineral baths);
• immunomodulatory (magnetic therapy of the umbilical region and thymus gland).

Folk remedies

Many folk remedies contain the use of bee products both separately and in combination with other medicinal ingredients. So, you can dissolve a teaspoon of honey in a glass of water at room temperature, drink before meals 20-30 minutes. It is also easy to prepare aloe juice with honey: cut leaves of the plant are left in the refrigerator for 10-12 days, then crushed and squeezed out the juice. Mixed in equal proportions with honey, drink a tablespoon before meals. Propolis has a good reputation in the treatment of gastropathy, 30-40 drops of pharmacy tincture on an empty stomach has a healing and antiseptic effect. You can take bee bread (single dose - a teaspoon per 50 g of water, insist for several hours).

Sea buckthorn has truly miraculous properties. Its oil has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, regenerating effect, due to which it is widely used in gastroenterology.

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Herbal treatment

There are many herbs and plants in nature that can help with various disorders and failures of the digestive tract. These are chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula, sage, immortelle, savory, string, plantain, flax seed, oak bark and many others. You can brew them as tea and drink before meals, or you can buy special gastric infusions at the pharmacy, taking into account your diagnosis and acidity, and prepare according to the recommendations on the package. Baths with infusions of the above herbs are used after the acute period, as well as compresses on the epigastric region.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic treatment is carried out in combination with the main one and only as prescribed by a homeopathic doctor, who takes into account not only the diagnosis, but also the character, constitution of the person and other individual characteristics. Here are some of them:

• amarin - oral drops containing substances of plant origin; used for gastrointestinal disorders caused by impaired secretion and motility of the stomach, spasms, pain syndrome. Recommended for use from 11 years old, 10-20 drops are diluted in a small amount of liquid, drink three times a day. Contraindicated in case of gastric and duodenal ulcers, high blood pressure. Possible side effect - manifestation of allergy;
• gastricumel - tablets, contain substances of plant and mineral origin, activate the body's defenses and normalize stomach dysfunctions. Children under 12 years old are recommended to grind 1 tablet and dissolve it in two tablespoons of water. Give the resulting solution at the age of 2-6 years, two teaspoons, from 6 to 12 - 3 spoons. After 12 years and adults - a tablet under the tongue until completely dissolved. The drug is taken 20 minutes before meals or an hour after. Side effects and contraindications have not been studied, therefore they are not known;
• hepar compositum is an injection solution, a complex drug prescribed for digestive disorders. It is administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously once every 1-3 days. There is no information on side effects or contraindications;
• Kalium Floratum - tablets, applicable for all age categories, differ in dose and frequency, depending on age and the nature of gastropathy - acute or chronic. Children under one year are recommended 1 tablet dissolved in water 1-2 times a day, adults the same, but the frequency of administration can reach 6 times. With increased sensitivity to the components of the product, allergic reactions are possible.

All these drugs can be prescribed to pregnant women only with the permission of a doctor, since they have not been clinically tested on this category of patients.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment is resorted to if it is not possible to relieve pain or stop gastric bleeding. Most often, this is a laparoscopic method, performed with the help of special instruments and does not require deep trauma to the organ tissue.

Diet for gastropathy

Diet for gastropathy plays an important role in the treatment of the disease along with therapeutic methods. Special diets have been defined, which have their own numbers (No. 1, 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4) and are recommended for nutrition during exacerbations and chronic course of the pathological process. They are based on the following "whales":

1. fractional meals, regular meals, moderate portions;
2. good quality of food products and exclusion of spicy, fatty foods, fresh bakery products;
3. a food processing technology that involves boiling or steaming;
4. exclusion of cold dishes below 15° C and hot dishes above 60°WITH;
5. avoiding acidic vegetables and fruits if you have high stomach acidity;
6. consumption of products that increase the motility of the stomach with reduced secretion.

The patient's menu should include various cereals, cream soups, lean meats, the same dairy products, mild cheeses, cauliflower, zucchini, pumpkin, potatoes, honey, fruits taking into account acidity, dried bread, etc.

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Prevention

Knowing the causes of gastropathy, it is important to build preventive measures so as to protect the body from the harmful effects of external and internal factors to the best of your ability. First of all, it is necessary to monitor the freshness of food, avoid spicy, hot, fatty dishes. You should not overload the stomach with a large amount of food, observe moderation in drinking alcohol and smoking. If possible, do not abuse medications, do not resort to self-medication. When working with chemical compounds, it is necessary to use protective equipment. Antisecretory agents are an effective method in the prevention of hyperacid gastropathy. A healthy lifestyle, playing sports will help to avoid stress and normalize the psycho-emotional state, the imbalance of which often leads to exacerbations.

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Forecast

With timely treatment of gastropathies with increased acidity, the disease does not pose a threat to life. The prognosis is unfavorable in the development of pernicious anemia, the degeneration of benign cells into malignant ones in the case of reduced secretion of gastric juice.

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