Gastritis Symptoms

Gastritis can be described as a group of conditions, which have one thing in common, mainly, an inflammation in the lining of the stomach. People of all ages can suffer from gastritis problems, which can be of two types. Acute gastritis symptoms usually become evident all of a sudden; however, chronic gastritis symptoms occur gradually, over a period of time. People should be aware of what the gastritis symptoms and treatment options are. This is because gastritis may not be very serious on its own, but if left untreated it can lead to serious conditions, such as ulcers and stomach cancer.

Fortunately, most instances of gastritis can be improved quickly, with the right treatment. Therefore, it is important to recognize the various gastritis symptoms immediately.

Chronic gastritis symptoms are almost the same as acute gastritis symptoms; the main difference is the manner in which the symptoms appear. The most commonly seen gastritis symptoms are back pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and fullness in the abdomen after eating. However, it is not necessary that all people who experience indigestion or heartburn are suffering from gastritis. In many cases of mild gastritis symptoms may not even be evident at all.

At the same time, there are some acute and chronic gastritis symptoms that are quite severe and are a major cause for concern. People who see traces of blood when they vomit or in case they notice bloody or tarry stools, they need to seek medical attention, without any delay.

Gastritis Treatment

The methods used for gastritis cure may vary, based on the factors that have caused the condition. Hence, chronic gastritis treatment may vary a bit from acute gastritis treatment, since their causes are usually different. Since chronic gastritis is caused by H. Pylori infections, chronic gastritis treatment needs to focus on the eradication of the bacteria. On the other hand, acute gastritis is usually a result of alcohol abuse or excess use of NSAIDS. Therefore, acute gastritis treatment mainly includes elimination of such habits. Most health care providers advise people to take medication for treating stomach acids, so that the signs and symptoms of gastritis remain under control. The medicines that are a part of gastritis treatment include:

Antacids for neutralizing stomach acids
Medication for blocking acids and promoting healing
Antibiotics for destroying the H. Pylori bacteria
Medication to reduce the production of acid

Unfortunately, the side effects associated with most of the medicines mentioned above can be quite strong, which is why most people prefer going in for gastritis treatment that is natural. This includes the use of simple home remedies, using natural ingredients such as fresh ginger, garlic, fennel seeds, grape leaves, licorice, carom seeds and potato juice, spinach juice and carrot juice.

Since weight plays an important part in the symptoms of this condition, it is also important for people to follow the right gastritis treatment diet plan. Foods like acidic foods, sweets, alcohol, fried food, spices, aerated drinks and fatty food should be avoided. Apart from choosing the foods that are right, it is important for people to eat small portions at frequent intervals and drink a lot of water.

Gastritis Causes

All humans have a mucus lined barrier which protects the stomach walls from the acids that are there, for digestive purposes. Gastritis occurs when the protective layer in the stomach gets damaged or weakened. There are many factors that could cause the barrier to weaken, thereby inflaming the lining of the stomach. There are a number of diseases and conditions that could cause the protective layer of the stomach to suffer from damage, which increases the chances of gastritis. Before going through any form of treatment it is absolutely essential for all patients to undergo the right diagnostic tests, to determine what the possible causes for the condition could be. This is mainly due to the fact that the treatment differs, based on the factors that are causing it. Moreover, chronic gastritis causes usually differ from acute gastritis causes.

Chronic gastritis causes usually include an infection in the digestive tract, caused by the H Pylori bacteria. Gastritis caused by these bacterial infections usually takes a while to develop. The condition also generally lasts for a longer period of time, which is why it is known as chronic gastritis.

On the other hand, acute gastritis causes generally include dietary or lifestyle habits. People who drink an excessive amount of alcohol are quite likely to develop acute gastritis, which appears all of a sudden. People who use NSAIDs very often too, can suffer from acute gastritis symptoms. Fortunately, acute gastritis lasts for a shorter period of time.

Gastritis in Children

Although gastritis is not a serious problem on its own, it could lead to a lot of uncomfortable and painful symptoms. Hence, parents could get all worked up on seeing chronic gastritis in children. Of course acute gastritis in children could also be quite painful, which is why parents consult doctors to get the condition treated as quickly as possible. It is also necessary that before administering any type of treatment, it is important to identify what the causes of gastritis in children are, so that the medication used can be more specific. Some of the most common causes of gastritis in children include H pylori bacteria, medication, stress, injuries and chronic vomiting.

The symptoms of gastritis in children may seem to be a lot worse, as compared to adults. This could be because a child’s digestive system is immature and therefore a bit weaker. Some of the most common gastritis in children symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, heartburn, mild nausea, tarry stools, constipation, indigestion and pain in the stomach. Hence, as soon as any of these symptoms are seen in a child, it is important to consult a doctor. Children may need to undergo a physical exam or other tests, for a proper diagnosis. Some of the tests that may be required include x rays, blood tests, stool tests and an endoscopy.

Since gastritis is usually caused by poor eating habits in children, one of the main components of gastritis in children treatment includes making dietary changes. The child needs to follow a proper diet, where neither too much, nor too little food is consumed. Some of the recommendations include:

Drinking coconut water often
Eating a bowl of rice every day
Getting a good amount of fresh fruits and vegetables
Including many fiber rich foods in the diet
Taking two glasses of milk

Types of Gastritis:

Although chronic and acute gastritis are the most common types of gastritis, it is important for people to remember that there are other types too. Some of the other types of gastritis include erosive gastritis, non-erosive gastritis, acute stress gastritis, hypertrophic gastritis and atrophic gastritis. The treatment, causes and symptoms for most of these types of gastritis may differ significantly and therefore it is important to consult a health care provider in case of any type of gastritis.

While medication may differ the lifestyle and dietary changes suggested can help improve most instances of gastritis constipation, diarrhea, pain, bloating, queasiness and so on. People who experience gastritis and dizziness regularly should get in touch with a doctor immediately.

Submitted on January 16, 2014