2. Definition
Gastritis Describes A Group Of Conditions With One Thing In Common: Inflammation
Of The Lining Of The Stomach. The Inflammation Of Gastritis Is Most Often The Result
Of Infection With The Same Bacterium That Causes Most Stomach Ulcers. Injury,
Regular Use Of Certain Pain Relievers And Drinking Too Much Alcohol Also Can
Contribute To Gastritis.
Gastritis May Occur Suddenly (Acute Gastritis), Or It Can Occur Slowly Over Time
(Chronic Gastritis). In Some Cases, Gastritis Can Lead To Ulcers And An Increased
Risk Of Stomach Cancer. For Most People, However, Gastritis Isn't Serious And
Improves Quickly With Treatment.
4. Symptoms
The Signs And Symptoms Of Gastritis Include:
• Gnawing Or Burning Ache Or Pain (Indigestion) In Your Upper
Abdomen That May Become Either Worse Or Better With Eating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• A Feeling Of Fullness In Your Upper Abdomen After Eating
Gastritis Doesn't Always Cause Signs And Symptoms.
5. Causes
Gastritis Is An Inflammation Of The Stomach Lining.
Weaknesses In The Mucus-lined Barrier That Protects Your
Stomach Wall Allow Your Digestive Juices To Damage And
Inflame Your Stomach Lining. A Number Of Diseases And
Conditions Can Increase Your Risk Of Gastritis.
Gastritis Can Develop Suddenly (Acute Gastritis) Or
Gradually And Last For An Extended Period (Chronic
6. Risk factors
Bacterial infection
Regular use of pain relievers.
Older age.
Excessive alcohol use.
Stress.
Your own body attacking cells in your stomach.
Other diseases and conditions.
7. Complications
Left Untreated, Gastritis May Lead To Stomach Ulcers And Stomach
Bleeding. Rarely, Some Forms Of Chronic Gastritis May Increase Your
Risk Of Stomach Cancer, Especially If You Have Extensive Thinning Of
The Stomach Lining And Changes In The Lining's Cells
8. Tests and diagnosis
Tests For H. Pylori
Using A Scope To Examine Your Upper Digestive System
(Endoscopy).
X-ray Of Your Upper Digestive System.
9. Treatments and drugs
Treatment Of Gastritis Depends On The Specific Cause. Acute Gastritis
Caused By Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Or Alcohol May Be
Relieved By Stopping Use Of Those Substances. Chronic Gastritis
Caused By H. Pylori Infection Is Treated With Antibiotics.
In Most Cases, You Also Take Medications That Treat Stomach Acid To
Reduce Your Signs And Symptoms And Promote Healing In Your
Stomach.
10. Medications used to treat gastritis include :
Antibiotic Medications To Kill H. Pylori. For H. Pylori In Your Digestive Tract, Your Doctor May
Recommend A Combination Of Antibiotics, Such As Clarithromycin (Biaxin) And Amoxicillin Or
Metronidazole (Flagyl), To Kill The Bacterium. Be Sure To Take The Full Antibiotic Prescription, Usually For
10 To 14 Days
Medications To Reduce Acid Production. Example : Ranitidine , Cimetidine
Medications That Block Acid Production And Promote Healing. These Drugs Include
The Prescription And Over-the-counter Medications Omeprazole (Prilosec), Lansoprazole
(Prevacid), Rabeprazole (Aciphex), Esomeprazole (Nexium), Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)
And Pantoprazole (Protonix).
Antacids That Neutralize Stomach Acid.
11. References
Dickson BA, et al. Classification and diagnosis of gastritis and gastropathy.
http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Nov. 3, 2013.
American College of Gastroenterology guideline on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Bethesda, Md.: American College of Gastroenterology. http://gi.org/guideline/management-of-
helicobacter-pylori-infection. Accessed Nov. 3, 2013.
Gastritis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gastritis/index.htm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2013.
Guidelines for the management of dyspepsia. Bethesda, Md.: American College of Gastroenterology.
http://gi.org/guideline/management-of-dyspepsia/. Accessed Nov. 3, 2013.
Jensen PJ, et al. Acute and chronic gastritis due to Helicobacter pylori.
http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Nov. 3, 2013.
H. pylori and peptic ulcers. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/index.htm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2013.
Mapel D, et al. The epidemiology, diagnosis, and cost of dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori gastritis: A
case-control analysis in the southwestern United States. Helicobacter. 2013;18:54.
FDA drug safety communication: Possible increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist and spine with the
use of proton pump inhibitors. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm2
13206.htm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2013.