The pain is often described as an uncomfortable burning or gnawing sensation.
Severe or worsening abdominal pain is another reason to seek attention right away.
Types of Gastritis
Gastritis symptoms can come on suddenly and last for a short time.
Illustration by Gary Ferster for Verywell Health
This is calledacute gastritis.Chronic gastritismeans symptoms persist for months or even years.
Chronic gastritis is much more likely to lead to complications like ulcer formation and iron deficiency anemia from bleeding.
Some people with chronic gastritis go on to develop gastric cancer, but this is rare.
Both gastritis conditions are common.
There are multiple possible causes of gastritis.
One of the most common causes is aninfection with the bacteriumH.
pylori, which can result from poor handwashing habits and other causes.
This is a medical professional who specializes in diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Your healthcare provider will take a careful medical history and do a physical examination.
Additional testing, such as an upper endoscopy, may also be needed.
With this condition, the immune system misguidedly attacks a vitamin B-12 binding protein made by stomach cells.
Sometimes, a person’s immune system attacks the stomach cells themselves.
This causes impaired vitamin B-12 absorption and low blood levels.
Another blood test used to diagnose pernicious anemia is autoantibodies to intrinsic factor (IF).
Lastly, a blood antibody test may be used to evaluate forH.
pyloriinfection, although other tests (see below) are more sensitive and specific.
The barium coats your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestines.
A series of X-rays lets a healthcare provider visualize the digestive tract.
Various gastritis-related abnormalities can be seen with an upper gastrointestinal series, including ulcers and inflammation.
With the camera, they will check for inflammation and may remove a tiny sample of tissue for testing.
This is called a stomach biopsy.
This is why a comprehensive evaluation with the above tests is often needed to confirm your diagnosis.
How Gastritis Is Treated
Treatment of gastritisfirst involves addressing the underlying cause.
For example, if alcohol or NSAIDs are causing your gastritis, then stopping them is essential.
Stomach acid irritates the inflamed tissue in the stomach.
Once the underlying gastritis culprit disappears, your pain and other symptoms should subside.
See your practitioner before stopping any medicine or starting any gastritis treatment on your own.
After identifying and eliminating the underlying cause (if known), an acid-reducing medication may be recommended.
Sometimes, anantacidis included in your treatment plan for rapid relief.
Keep in mind, these acid-reducing medications are generally only recommended for a short time.
According to a study published in 2014, improvements in hygiene reduced rates of infection in children.
It can have a number of potential causes, including infection withH.
pylori, excessive use of NSAIDs, and alcohol use.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Sometimes repeat tests are needed to ensure effective treatment.
There are a number of effective treatments that can provide durable and long-lasting relief.
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