Gastritis

Gastritis

What causes gastritis?

Gastritis is when the lining of your stomach gets inflamed. Here's how it works:

Inflammation response

When your stomach lining gets irritated or damaged, your body’s immune system jumps into action. It sends white blood cells to the area to fight off whatever’s causing the problem. These cells release substances that cause inflammation, which is your body’s way of trying to protect and heal the stomach lining. But this inflammation also leads to symptoms like pain, redness, and swelling.

Damage to the stomach lining

The stomach lining, also known as the mucosa, is a protective barrier that keeps your stomach safe from its own digestive acids and enzymes. When this lining gets damaged, it’s less effective at doing its job. This means that the acids and enzymes can start to damage the actual tissue of the stomach, causing more inflammation and irritation.

Digestive juices

Your stomach produces hydrochloric acid and enzymes to help break down food. Normally, the stomach lining protects your stomach from these harsh substances. But when the lining is inflamed or damaged, these acids and enzymes can get deeper into the stomach tissue, making the inflammation and symptoms worse.

Immune system activation

The inflammation triggers your immune system to act. It sends chemicals and immune cells to the affected area to deal with the damage and any potential infections. While this response is crucial for healing, it also contributes to the symptoms of gastritis, like swelling and pain.

Healing and regeneration

Your stomach lining has the ability to heal itself. Once the irritation or damage is taken care of, the inflammation usually goes away, and the lining starts to repair itself. How quickly and well this happens depends on how severe the inflammation is and your overall health. This is why it is important that you seek a healthcare provider’s advice as soon as you notice the symptoms of gastritis. 

How is gastritis diagnosed?

Diagnosing gastritis usually starts with a chat about your symptoms and medical history, followed by a physical exam. Here’s how it typically goes:

  • Talking to your doctor: Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, such as stomach pain, nausea, or bloating. They’ll also want to know about any medications you’re taking and your overall health history. 
  • Testing for H. pylori
    If your doctor suspects that a bacterial infection could be the cause, they might recommend tests for H. pylori. There are a couple of ways to do this:
    • Stool test: This checks for the presence of H. pylori bacteria in your stool.
    • Breath test: For this, you’ll drink a liquid containing a small amount of radioactive carbon. If you have H. pylori, the bacteria will break down the liquid, and you’ll exhale radioactive carbon, which is then detected in your breath.
  • Endoscopy: A doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end (an endoscope) to look inside your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This helps them spot any signs of inflammation.
  • X-ray of the upper digestive system
  • Blood tests: Blood tests can help check for other potential causes of your symptoms and look for signs of complications from gastritis.
  • Stool tests: Stool tests can also detect blood in your stool, which could indicate bleeding in your stomach.
  • Urea breath test: You’ll swallow a substance containing urea labeled with a special carbon atom. If H. pylori is present, it will convert the urea into carbon dioxide, which is then detected in your breath.

What are the symptoms of gastritis?

Gastritis can show up in different ways, and everyone might experience it a bit differently. Here are some common signs to watch out for:

  • Stomach pain or discomfort: You might feel a gnawing or burning ache in your upper stomach . This pain can sometimes get worse or better after you eat.
  • Belching and hiccups: If you’re belching a lot or getting hiccups frequently, it could be a sign of gastritis.
  • Nausea and vomiting: Feeling queasy or actually throwing up are common symptoms.
  • Feeling full or bloated: You might feel full in your upper stomach  even if you haven’t eaten much, or feel bloated after meals.
  • Loss of appetite: You might not feel like eating as much as usual.
  • Bleeding in the stomach: More severe cases might cause bleeding, which is serious.
  • Blood in vomit or stool: If your vomit looks like coffee grounds or your stool is black, it could mean your stomach lining is bleeding.
  • Indigestion: This could feel like discomfort or pain in your upper stomach, often described as a burning or gnawing feeling.
  • Bloating: Feeling swollen or full.
  • Black blood in stool: Known as melena, this indicates bleeding in the stomach or upper intestines.
  • Black blood in vomit: This is another sign of bleeding in the stomach.

Sometimes, gastritis doesn’t cause any symptoms at all. But if you do start noticing these symptoms, it could mean the condition is more severe or has been around for a while. Gastritis symptoms can look like other health problems, so it’s important to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. If you notice any signs of bleeding, like black vomit or stool, get medical help right away.

symptoms of gastritis
When the stomach lining is inflamed or damaged, the acids in your stomach can get deeper into the stomach tissue, making the inflammation and symptoms worse.

How is gastritis diagnosed?

Diagnosing gastritis usually starts with a chat about your symptoms and medical history, followed by a physical exam. Here’s how it typically goes:

  • Talking to your doctor: Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, such as stomach pain, nausea, or bloating. They’ll also want to know about any medications you’re taking and your overall health history. 
  • Testing for H. pylori
    If your doctor suspects that a bacterial infection could be the cause, they might recommend tests for H. pylori. There are a couple of ways to do this:
    • Stool test: This checks for the presence of H. pylori bacteria in your stool.
    • Breath test: For this, you’ll drink a liquid containing a small amount of radioactive carbon. If you have H. pylori, the bacteria will break down the liquid, and you’ll exhale radioactive carbon, which is then detected in your breath.
  • Endoscopy: A doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end (an endoscope) to look inside your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This helps them spot any signs of inflammation.
  • X-ray of the upper digestive system
  • Blood tests: Blood tests can help check for other potential causes of your symptoms and look for signs of complications from gastritis.
  • Stool tests: Stool tests can also detect blood in your stool, which could indicate bleeding in your stomach.
  • Urea breath test: You’ll swallow a substance containing urea labeled with a special carbon atom. If H. pylori is present, it will convert the urea into carbon dioxide, which is then detected in your breath.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, gastritis can go away, especially if the cause is treated. With proper medication and lifestyle changes, many people see improvement and relief from symptoms.

Foods that can help heal gastritis include high-fiber options like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, low-acid foods like bananas and melons, lean proteins such as chicken and fish, and probiotic-rich foods like yogurt. Herbal teas can also be soothing.

To recover quickly, follow your doctor's treatment plan, avoid irritants like alcohol and spicy foods, eat a bland diet, stay hydrated, manage stress, and get plenty of rest.

Yes, the stomach lining can repair itself, especially if you avoid things that irritate it and follow a healthy diet and treatment plan. The stomach lining has a good ability to heal with the right care.

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