Gastritisis inflammation of the stomach lining.

The condition can come on gradually and may last for a long time.

Although gastritis is not the same thing asheartburn, it can cause similar symptoms.

Gastritis

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Treatment

In gastritis, stomach acid irritates the inflamed tissue of the stomach.

Antacids or other medications such as Pepcid (famotidine) decrease or neutralize gastric acid in the stomach.

Proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec can be used to relieve symptoms and help the tissue heal.

Gastritis that is due to a condition calledpernicious anemianeeds to be treated withvitamin B12.

Once the underlying problem is treated, gastritis usually gets better.

Do not stop taking a medication or start a treatment for gastritis without talking to your provider first.

Complications

If gastritis is not treated it can lead tostomach ulcersand stomach bleeding.

In some cases, chronic gastritis can increase your risk of stomach cancer.

If you have sudden, severe symptoms you better get medical care right away.

For example, several foods and beverages can triggerheartburnand increase acid production in the stomach.

You may want to avoid these foods and focus oneating foodsthat can decrease acid production.

It can come on suddenly or over time.

While it can feel similar to heartburn, it’s not the same condition.

Gastritis can cause stomach pain and nausea, especially when you eat.

If there is bleeding in your stomach, you might notice blood in your stool or if you vomit.

While eating certain foods might make your symptoms worse, diet is not a cause of gastritis.

Your provider can diagnose you with gastritis by looking inside your stomach with a special camera.

They might also take a little piece of tissue from your stomach to look at under a microscope.

It’s very important to treat gastritis to avoid complications.

Having gastritis for a long time may increase your risk of health problems, including stomach cancer.

There are medications and lifestyle changes that can help manage the symptoms and help your stomach lining heal.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of gastritis & gastropathy.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of Gastritis & Gastropathy.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of gastritis & gastropathy.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for gastritis & gastropathy.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for gastritis & gastropathy.