Chronic Gastritis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

A disorder known as chronic gastritis develops when the lining of your stomach gets inflamed. Contrary to acute gastritis, which causes the stomach lining to irritate rapidly, chronic gastritis develops gradually and may be more challenging to treat. 

Treatment for chronic gastritis usually results in improvement, but it may necessitate continued observation. Inflammation that persists for a long time can erode your stomach’s lining and cause new medical problems. 

Chronic Gastritis 

One of the most prevalent chronic illnesses, chronic gastritis, can go untreated for many years or perhaps a lifetime. Some numerous circumstances and elements might lead to or facilitate the onset of chronic gastritis. 

Medication and lifestyle modifications are frequently effective in treating moderate episodes of gastritis. It may not be possible to find a solution for some individuals with severe chronic gastritis, in which case the focus of treatment will be on symptom management. 

Stomach lining 

The mucosa, or lining of the stomach, is covered in glands that secrete stomach acid and enzymes that help break down food and keep you from getting sick. The mucosa also secretes a protective, protein-rich mucus that coats the stomach since gastric acid is abrasive. This mucus layer is harmed in situations of gastritis, allowing the stomach acids to enter and irritate the lining. 

When inflammation occurs, your stomach lining changes and loses part of its protecting cells. Early satiety may also result from it. At this point, even after taking only a few bites of food, your stomach feels full. 

Causes 

“Chronic gastritis” refers to various disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the stomach’s mucosal membrane. Although there are numerous causes of chronic gastritis, the following factors account for the majority of cases: 

H.pylori bacterial infection 

The most typical cause of gastritis worldwide is a bacterial infection called H. pylori. Although many people first contract the disease as children, not everyone exhibits symptoms. Although an infection with H. pylori can induce acute and chronic gastritis, this condition is less frequently linked. 

Damage  

• Overuse or long-term usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen 
• Cocaine use 
• Excessive alcohol consumption 
• Recurring bile reflux from the small intestine 
• Injuries and impact 
• Chronic stress 
• Exposure to radiation 

Autoimmune conditions 

When an individual has autoimmune gastritis, their immune system destroys the stomach lining. 

In most cases, autoimmune gastritis is non-erosive and persistent. In some individuals, severe or chronic H. pylori infection may be associated with autoimmune gastritis. 

Symptoms 

The following symptoms might appear in a patient with gastritis. It could be severe, linger for more than a week, and do not improve with treatment or alterations in lifestyle.

• Passing out 
• Dizziness 
• Confusion 
• Paleness 
• Unexplained weakness 
• Red, fresh-looking blood in the stool 
• Black, tarry stools 
• Unexplained drowsiness 
• Red blood in vomit or vomiting blood 
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing 

Risk factors 

Acute instances of gastritis rarely result in problems when adequately handled. However, individuals who have severe or untreated chronic gastritis risk experiencing serious health issues. 

Peptic ulcers can result from erosive gastritis. Once an ulcer has developed, it can expand and enlarge by gradually destroying the tissues around it. Internal bleeding from severe ulcers may eventually occur; if unchecked, this internal bleeding could be fatal. 

The following are some potential effects of chronic gastritis: 

• Anaemia brought on by a lack of iron 
• Anaemia brought on by internal bleeding  
• A lack of vitamin B-12 
• Abnormal stomach growths such as tumours and polyps  

Diagnosis 

An upper GI series, a series of X-rays of your upper GI tract, is one imaging test that may be used to start diagnosing gastritis. This test can detect ulcers or erosion in your stomach lining, though not always gastritis. A healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and health history. Based on your answers, they may suspect you have gastritis, but they won’t know for sure unless they test for it. 

A tissue sample is required for a healthcare provider to confirm the microscopic evidence of gastritis. A sample (biopsy) can be taken during an upper endoscopy examination. Your upper GI tract is examined using an endoscope, which is a long tube with a tiny camera at the tip. 

Through the endoscope, an endoscopist can perform a biopsy. Even before the biopsy proves illness, they can typically identify gastritis physically. You might require more tests to determine the exact cause of your gastritis or to look for complications.  

• Blood tests 
• H. pylori breath test 
• Stool test 

Prevention 

Although the illnesses that cause it are contagious, gastroenteritis itself is not. Most people in the globe are infected with H. pylori, and roughly half of those infections result in chronic gastritis. It spreads by the faecal to oral. Maintaining excellent hygiene, such as washing your hands after using the restroom and before handling food, may help stop the spread of illnesses. This might prevent a lot of occurrences of gastritis. 

Treatments 

The most typical treatments for persistent gastritis include medications and lifestyle modifications. The sort of chronic gastritis you have will determine your particular treatment strategy. 

Your doctor will address the issues associated with the nutrients you are deficient in if you have Type A. Your doctor will use antibiotics and acid-blocking drugs to treat H. pylori bacteria if you have Type B. Your doctor would advise you to cease using NSAIDs and consuming alcohol if you have Type C to prevent further harm to your stomach. 

Medications 

To reduce your stomach acid, your doctor might recommend medication. The most often used drugs to reduce stomach acid include proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole and antacids like calcium carbonate. Cutting back on or stopping aspirin and related medications is advised to lessen gastrointestinal irritation. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of persistent gastritis due to drugs or alcohol, the symptoms may disappear in a few hours. However, chronic gastritis often takes longer to go away. Chronic gastritis can last for years if left untreated. 

To lessen gastrointestinal irritation, your doctor might suggest dietary adjustments. You might be told to stay away from the following: 

• A salt-heavy diet 
• Alcohol with a high-fat content, such as beer, wine, or spirits 
• Consuming a lot of preserved and red meat 

Typical foods to recommend include:

• Whole grain pasta, grains, and bread
• All fruits and vegetables
• Foods substantial in probiotics, like yoghurt and kefir
• Lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish
• Proteins based on like beans and tofu 

Alternative home remedies 

The following foods could ease your symptoms and assist your stomach in getting rid of H. pylori: 

• It’s possible that garlic has antibacterial qualities that work particularly well against the H. pylori bacteria. 
• Cranberries may destroy the bacterium and alter its communication with the stomach. 
• Ginger might prevent bacterial development. 
• The use of turmeric may help heal ulcers and prevent bacterial development. 

Lifestyle and dietary changes 

Making dietary and lifestyle changes may help treat gastritis or prevent it from happening, regardless of the reason or severity of symptoms. Nutritional recommendations for those with chronic gastritis frequently include: 

• Avoiding or cutting out on alcohol use 
• Eating less spicy food 
• Avoiding foods that are fried, fatty, or oily 
• Avoiding acidic meals, especially juices and fruits of the citrus family 
• Eating more regularly but in smaller portions 
• Cutting back on salt intake 
• Consuming less beef 
• A nutritious, balanced diet high in probiotics, fibre, and antioxidants may also be beneficial. Whole fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread, cereals, rice, and pasta, fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, kimchi, and lean proteins like chicken, fish, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds are foods that contain these compounds. 

When to see a doctor 

Although prevalent, stomach irritation isn’t usually a sign of persistent gastritis. If your stomach discomfort persists for over a week, or if you frequently encounter the typical symptoms of chronic gastritis, call your doctor. 

• Vomiting blood 
• Confusion 
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing 
• Rapid heartbeat 
• Passing out suddenly 
• Extreme drowsiness 

You run the chance of experiencing stomach and small intestine bleeding if you have chronic gastritis. Get help right away if you experience chronic stomach pain, black stools, or vomit anything that resembles coffee grounds. 

Summary 

The underlying reason for your persistent gastritis will determine how well you recover. Your risk of developing stomach ulcers and bleeding from the stomach rises if persistent gastritis is left untreated. 

Your stomach lining becomes weaker when gastritis erodes it, frequently causing cell alterations that can result in gastric cancer. Deficits brought on by your stomach’s failure to absorb vitamins can also prevent your body from producing red blood cells or impact nerve function. Anaemia may result from this. 

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