What is Gastritis

What is Gastritis?
What is Gastritis?

Gastritis encompasses various conditions characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining, also known as dyspepsia. It can manifest as acute or chronic, with acute gastritis arising suddenly and chronic gastritis progressing gradually over time. Acute gastritis is more prevalent than its chronic counterpart, affecting about eight out of every 1,000 individuals, while chronic gastritis impacts approximately two out of every 10,000 people.

Several factors contribute to gastritis:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection: The primary cause of gastritis is infection with the bacterium H. pylori, prevalent in both acute and chronic cases. Left untreated, this infection can lead to ulcers and, in rare instances, stomach cancer. In developed nations like the United States, 20 to 50 percent of the population may carry H. pylori, with infection rates spiking in areas with poor sanitation and higher population densities, reaching as high as 80 percent in some developing countries.

Other triggers: Gastritis can also stem from factors like excessive alcohol consumption, chronic vomiting, stress, or the usage of certain medications such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Symptoms of gastritis vary among individuals and may include:

– Nausea or recurrent upset stomach
– Abdominal bloating
– Abdominal pain ranging from mild to severe
– Vomiting
– Recurrent indigestion
– Burning or gnawing sensation in the stomach, possibly occurring between meals or at night
– Hiccups
– Loss of appetite
– Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
– Black, tarry stools
– Unintended weight loss
– Excessive gas or flatulence
– Alteration in taste

Treatment for gastritis typically involves medications such as:

– Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., rabeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, omeprazole, esomeprazole) to block acid production and aid in healing
– Histamine receptor antagonists (e.g., cimetidine, ranitidine hydrochloride, famotidine) to reduce acid production
– Antacids to neutralize stomach acid
– Antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori infection

A combination of these medications is prescribed based on symptom severity to alleviate stomach acid, relieve symptoms, and facilitate stomach lining healing. Untreated gastritis may progress to chronic gastritis and stomach ulcers, potentially leading to complications like blood loss or an increased risk of developing stomach cancer.