http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109

Fitango EducationHealth Topics

Gastritis

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 1

Overview

Gastritis is a condition in which the stomach

lining—known as the mucosa—is inflamed. The stomach lining contains special

cells that produce acid and enzymes, which help break down food for digestion,

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 2

Overview

and mucus, which protects the stomach lining from acid. When the stomach lining

is inflamed, it produces less acid, enzymes, and mucus.

Gastritis may be acute or chronic. Sudden,

severe inflammation of the stomach lining is called acute gastritis. Inflammation

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 3

Overview

that lasts for a long time is called chronic gastritis. If chronic gastritis is

not treated, it may last for years or even a lifetime.

Erosive gastritis is a type of gastritis that

often does not cause significant inflammation but can wear away the stomach

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 4

Overview

lining. Erosive gastritis can cause bleeding, erosions, or ulcers. Erosive

gastritis may be acute or chronic.

The relationship between gastritis and

symptoms is not clear. The term gastritis refers specifically to abnormal

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 5

Overview

inflammation in the stomach lining. People who have gastritis may experience

pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, but many people with gastritis do not

have any symptoms.

The term gastritis is sometimes mistakenly

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 6

Overview

used to describe any symptoms of pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Many

diseases and disorders can cause these symptoms. Most people who have upper

abdominal symptoms do not have gastritis.

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 7

Symptoms

Many people with gastritis do not have any

symptoms.

Symptoms you may notice are:

-- Loss of appetite

-- Nausea and

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 8

Symptoms

vomiting

-- Pain in the upper

part of the belly or abdomen

If gastritis is causing bleeding from the

lining of the stomach, symptoms may include:

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 9

Symptoms

-- Black stools

-- Vomiting blood

or coffee-ground like material

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 10

Diagnoses

Tests that may be needed are:

-- Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia or

low blood count

-- Examination of

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 11

Diagnoses

the stomach with an endoscope (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD)

-- H. pylori tests

-- Stool test to

check for small amounts of blood in the stools, which may be a sign of bleeding

in the stomach

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 12

Treatment

Treatment depends on the specific cause. Some

of the causes will disappear over time.

You may need to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 13

Treatment

other medicines that may be causing gastritis, but only after you talk with

your health care provider.

You may use other over-the-counter and

prescription drugs that decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, such as:

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 14

Treatment

-- Antacids

-- H2 antagonists: famotidine

(Pepsid), cimetidine

(Tagamet), ranitidine

(Zantac), and nizatidine

(Axid)

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 15

Treatment

-- Proton pump

inhibitors (PPIs) -- omeprazole

(Prilosec), esomeprazole

(Nexium), iansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole

(AcipHex), and pantoprazole

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 16

Treatment

(Protonix)

Antacids may be used to treat chronic

gastritis caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

The outlook depends on the cause, but is

usually good.

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 17

Causes

The most common causes of gastritis are:

-- Certain

medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen,

or naproxen,

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 18

Causes

when taken over a longer period of time

-- Drinking too much

alcohol

-- Infection of the

stomach with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 19

Causes

Less common causes are:

-- Autoimmune disorders (such as pernicious anemia)

-- Backflow of bile into

the stomach (bile reflux)

-- Cocaine abuse

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 20

Causes

-- Eating or

drinking caustic or corrosive substances (such as poisons)

-- Extreme stress

-- Viral infection,

such as cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus, especially in people with a

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 21

Causes

weak immune system

Trauma or a severe, sudden illness such as

major surgery, kidney failure, or being placed on a breathing machine may cause

gastritis.

Blood loss and increased risk of gastric

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 22

Causes

cancer are possible complications. Call for an appointment with your health

care provider if you develop:

-- Pain in the upper

part of the belly or abdomen that does not go away

-- Black or tarry

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 23

Causes

stools

-- Vomiting blood or

coffee-ground-like material

http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=109 24

Prevention

Avoid long-term use of irritants (such as aspirin,

anti-inflammatory drugs, or alcohol).