Gastritis Types, Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Gastritis is the inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach. It occurs as a result of infection that causes stomach ulcers. It can also be caused by regular use of NSAIDs and alcohol for a prolonged period of time. The risk of gastritis is very high in heavy drinkers and smokers. The risk of ulcers and stomach cancer increases due to gastritis. It is not a serious problem and improves with treatment.

Types

There are three main types of gastritis depending upon the causative agent.

Acute gastritis

If the gastritis is caused by drugs, toxins, alcohol, ischemia or infections, then it is termed as acute gastritis. In this type, inflammation of stomach lining is sudden and severe.

Chronic gastritis

If the gastritis is caused by certain chemicals, NSAIDs, bile reflux, alcohol and bacteria such as helicobacter pylori, then it is termed as chronic gastritis. In this type, the duration of inflammation is very long.

Stress causing gastritis

If the gastritis is caused by stress, then it is termed as stress causing gastritis.  

Causes

Gastritis is mainly caused by excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It can also be caused by certain bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Chronic vomiting and food poisoning can also cause the condition of gastritis. Stress also plays an important role in the inflammation of stomach lining. Due to stress, there is an increased production of gastric juice. Gastritis can also be caused by bile reflux in which backward movement of bile from the small intestine occurs. Some allergic and immune conditions also have the ability to cause gastritis such as pernicious anemia. Exposure to certain chemicals or radiations can also cause gastritis.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of gastritis may vary from person to person. Some people don’t have any symptoms. But the most common symptoms of gastritis are discussed below,

• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the upper abdomen just under the ribs
• Nausea or indigestion
• Hiccups
• Vomiting
• Blood in the vomit
• Melena
• Weight loss.

Treatment

The standard treatment plan of gastritis depends upon the causative agents. Dietary modifications also play an important role in the treatment of gastritis. In some people, there is no need for treatment. Your doctor prescribes antibiotics to kill the helicobacter pylori bacteria for 14 days. There are four types of antibiotic therapies, triple therapy, bismuth subsalicylate quadrivalent therapy, sub sequential therapy and rescue therapy. The triple therapy includes proton pump inhibitors, clarithromycin and amoxicillin or proton pump inhibitors, clarithromycin and metronidazole. The bismuth subsalicylate quadrivalent therapy includes bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, tetracycline plus proton pump inhibitors daily or H2 receptors antagonist. The sub sequential therapy includes proton pump inhibitors, clarithromycin and amoxicillin and metronidazole. The rescue therapy includes bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, tetracycline plus proton pump inhibitors daily or proton pump inhibitors, amoxicillin and levofloxacin. Your doctor can also prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to block the production of acid and promote healing. Drugs included are omeprazole (risek), lansoprazole (prevacid) and esomeprazole (nexum). Your doctor can also prescribe histamine (H2) receptor blockers to reduce the production of acids. Drugs included are ranitidine (zantac), famotidine (pepcid) and cimetidine (tagamet). Other effective prescribed drugs are antacids that neutralize the existing stomach acid and can provide rapid pain relief. Drugs included are digex MP and mucaine.