What is gastritis?
Also called dyspepsia, gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the
stomach. It can occur suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic). Chronic gastritis
occurs in two out of every 10,000 people, whereas acute gastritis is more common,
occurring in eight out of every 1,000 people.
What causes gastritis?
Gastritis can be caused by irritation due to excessive alcohol use, chronic
vomiting, stress, or the use of certain medications, such as aspirin or
anti-inflammatory drugs. It may also be caused by any of the following:
- Helicobacter Pylori: A bacteria that lives in
the mucous lining of the stomach. Without treatment, the
infection can lead to ulcers and, in some people, stomach
cancer.
- Pernicious anemia: A form of anemia that occurs
when the stomach lacks a naturally occurring substance
needed to properly absorb and digest vitamin B12.
- Bile reflux: A backflow of bile into the
stomach.
- Infections caused by bacteria and viruses
- Autoimmune disorders
If gastritis is left untreated, it can lead to severe blood loss or, in
some cases, increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.
What are the symptoms of gastritis?
Symptoms of gastritis vary among individuals, and in many people there are no
symptoms. However, the most common symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal bloating
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Hiccups
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
- Black, tarry stool
How is gastritis diagnosed?
After reviewing your personal and your family’s medical history as well as
performing a thorough physical evaluation, your doctor may recommend any of the
following tests to diagnose gastritis:
- Endoscopy. The doctor eases a endoscope, a thin
tube containing a tiny camera, through your mouth and down into your
stomach to look at the stomach lining. The doctor will check for
inflammation and may perform a biopsy, a procedure in which a tiny
sample of tissue is removed and then sent to the laboratory for
analysis.
- Blood test. The doctor may check your red blood
cell count to determine whether you have anemia, which means that
you do not have enough red blood cells.
- Stool test. This test checks for the presence of
blood in your stool, a sign of gastritis.
How is gastritis treated?
Treatment for gastritis usually involves taking antacids and other drugs to
reduce stomach acid, which causes further irritation to inflamed areas. These
medications will help relieve symptoms and promote healing. Your doctor will
also recommend that you avoid foods and beverages that aggravate symptoms (such
as hot or spicy foods).
For gastritis caused by infections, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
Once the underlying problem disappears, the gastritis usually does, too. You
should talk to your doctor before stopping any medicine or starting any
gastritis treatment on your own.
What is the prognosis for gastritis?
Most cases of gastritis improve quickly once treatment has been started.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 10/13/2008...#10349
