Gastritis: Learn How to Take Care of Yourself and What Helps to Prevent It

26

Gastritis is caused by inflammation of the stomach’s inner lining. The main symptoms are intense pain, burning, and heartburn. However, vomiting and nausea can also occur.

Learn what causes gastritis, how it is diagnosed and treated, and how you can prevent and take care of yourself (if you are already having an acute crisis).

Causes of gastritis

There are several causes that can lead to stomach inflammation. Gastritis results from an injury to the mucosa or an infection, whose main motivations are:

• Excessive alcohol consumption;
• An infectious condition caused by the H. pylori bacteria;
• The recurrent use of anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, and ketoprofen, which are widely used in the treatment of pain and inflammation in other parts of the body.

How is the diagnosis and treatment carried out?

Diagnosis

Through a clinical examination and conversations with the patient, the doctor can make an early diagnosis of gastritis.

However, the definitive diagnosis occurs after performing an upper digestive endoscopy, in which a flexible tube (the endoscope) is inserted through the mouth, allowing the visualization of the gastric mucosa.

Treatment

A case of gastritis tends to improve as soon as the cause is suppressed, whether by discontinuing medications and alcoholic beverages or by combating the infection caused by the H. pylori bacteria.

Generally, the doctor advises the use of certain medications to promote gastric emptying and reduce acid production.

Prevention: the best form of combat

Preventing gastritis is the best way to not develop the disease. There are some important pieces of information that the patient should know about the subject:

• Chew your food very well, so that it reaches the stomach in the best possible way;
• Try to maintain meal times and eat calmly, without rushing;
• Prefer to have small meals throughout the day, avoiding long fasting periods;
• Do not smoke and avoid excessive alcohol consumption;
• Consume lean meats, vegetables, and fruits;
• Avoid coffees and drinks containing caffeine, as well as the unrestrained use of anti-inflammatories;
• Seek medical follow-up and consult a professional if you feel heartburn, a sensation of a full stomach, or poor digestion.

Recommendations on how to take care in case of a gastritis crisis

If you are already suffering from gastritis, there are some guidelines that the EndoBlog team has listed to help reduce pain and inflammation:

• Do not drink alcohol during the crisis;
• Avoid acidic and spicy foods;
• Eliminate the consumption of coffee or only drink decaffeinated while in a gastritis crisis;
• Prefer light foods, such as cooked vegetables, simple pastas, soups, and broths, until the symptoms decrease;
• Do not take medications like aspirin and diclofenac. In this case, paracetamol is a more recommended option if it is necessary to use some pain relief medication.

Learn more about gastritis and upper digestive endoscopy at EndoBlog

The EndoBlog was conceived by a team of doctors and specialists dedicated to providing truthful and quality information to patients about the digestive system.

Here, at EndoBlog, everyone can access free content about gastritis and important exams, such as upper digestive endoscopy.