gastritis

Gastritis

Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It may occur as a short episode or have a long duration. There may be no symptoms, but the most common symptom is upper abdominal pain. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, bloating, indigestion, loss of appetite and heartburn. Complications may include stomach bleeding, stomach ulcers, and stomach tumors. Autoimmune atrophic gastritis may lead to issues including pernicious anemia. Common causes include infection with Helicobacter pylori and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other causes include alcohol, smoking, cocaine, severe illness, autoimmune problems, radiation therapy and Crohn's disease. Endoscopy, a type of X-ray known as an upper gastrointestinal series, blood tests, and stool tests may help with diagnosis. Other conditions with similar symptoms include inflammation of the pancreas, gallbladder problems, and peptic ulcer disease. Treatment depends on the cause of gastritis. Prevention involves avoidance of things which irritate the gut and which trigger symptoms, including alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tobacco, and fatty, acidic, and spicy foods, and fasting too long or eating too much. It is also recommended to treat for any underlying H. pylori infection before starting NSAID treatment to prevent irritation and gastroduodenal ulcers. Treatment includes medications such as antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. During an acute flare-up, drinking viscous lidocaine may help. If gastritis is caused by NSAID use (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen,...