Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsWhen to Call Your ProviderLiving With Gastritis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
When to Call Your Provider
Living With Gastritis
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 can also be treated with somemedications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)—for example, drugs that reduce stomach acid.
This article will go over what causes gastritis, what the symptoms are, how it’s diagnosed, and the options for treatment.
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What Causes GERD?
Symptoms of Gastritis
The most common symptoms of gastritis are:
The most common causes of gastritis are:
The less common causes of gastritis include:
Gastritis can come on suddenly (acute gastritis) or gradually (chronic gastritis).
What Is H.Pylori?
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There are several tests that may be used to diagnose gastritis.
If you have symptoms of gastritis, your healthcare provider might one to do one or more of these tests.
Tests That Look for Blood in Your Stool
In gastritis, stomach acid irritates the inflamed tissue of the stomach.
Therefore, the treatment usually involves taking drugs to reduce stomach acid, which can help relieve symptoms and promote healing of the tissue.
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.
Once the underlying problem is treated, gastritis usually gets better. However, you might need toavoid certain foods, beverages, or medicines that could cause the irritation to come back.
Do not stop taking a medication or start a treatment for gastritis without talking to your provider first.
How Gastritis Is Treated
If gastritis is not treated it can lead tostomach ulcersand stomach bleeding.
In some cases, chronic gastritis can increase your risk of stomach cancer.
Other complications of gastritis are:
Signs of Stomach Cancer
If you’re being treated for gastritis but your symptoms are not getting better, or they get worse, you need to call your healthcare provider.
You should also get in touch with your provider if you start having new symptoms, especially if they are worrying you.
When to Go to the ER
Sometimes, gastritis can become a medical emergency—for example, if you are experiencing a complication.
If you have sudden, severe symptoms you need to get medical care right away.
Call 911 or go to the nearestemergency roomif:
Abdominal Pain: When to Call Your Provider
Research has shown that what you eat is not to blame for gastritis.
That said, as you are healing and taking medication to reduce stomach acid, you may want to avoid foods that would require your stomach to make more acid.
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.
Several lifestyle modifications can also help manage gastritis symptoms, such as:
Foods to Prevent Heartburn
Summary
Gastritis is a condition where the lining of your stomach is inflamed. 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.
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.
What to Eat If You Have Gastritis
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.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.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.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.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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.
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.
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