Gastritis is when the soft lining inside your stomach gets inflamed. This lining acts as a shield for your stomach. When it's inflamed, it's like it's being attacked. Gastric inflammation can happen because of an infection, something you ate or drank, or chemicals involved in digestion.
What is Gastritis?
Gastritis refers to inflammation in the lining of your stomach. This lining, known as mucosa, acts as a protective barrier against acids, enzymes, and microorganisms that enter your stomach daily. Gastritis occurs when your immune system perceives a threat to this barrier, prompting inflammation in the tissues to combat infections and aid in healing.
1. Types of Gastritis
- Acute Gastritis: This type is sudden and short-lived, often caused by acute conditions.
- Chronic Gastritis: Characterized by long-term inflammation, chronic gastritis may develop gradually and may not always be noticeable, stemming from underlying chronic conditions.
Gastritis can further be categorized as:
- Erosive Gastritis: Involves substances that erode the stomach lining, leading to ulcer formation. Common culprits include acids, bile, alcohol, or certain medications.
- Nonerosive Gastritis: While it doesn't result in ulcers, it can irritate, such as reddening of the stomach lining. Atrophic gastritis, a subtype, may lead to thinning or wasting away of the stomach lining, resulting in digestive problems.
2. Specific Forms of Gastritis
- Infectious Gastritis
- Drug-induced Gastritis
- Alcohol-induced Gastritis
- Stress-induced Gastritis
- Autoimmune Gastritis
- Eosinophilic Gastritis
Each type of gastritis may have distinct causes and characteristics, often identified by more specific names based on the underlying factors.
Symptoms and Causes Of Gastric Inflammation
Warning signs and symptoms of gastritis
Gastritis might not always show noticeable symptoms. However, if symptoms occur, it could indicate a more severe condition or long-term inflammation.
Source: Gastritis is a common condition that involves inflammation of the stomach wall.
Symptoms may arise when the stomach lining becomes worn down, making it unable to protect itself from its own acids and enzymes. This can lead to indigestion symptoms or even stomach ulcers, which can be painful and may bleed.
Common symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite or feeling full shortly after eating.
- Stomach pain and bloating.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
In cases of a bleeding ulcer, you may notice:
- Black blood in your stool (melena).
- Black blood in your vomit, resembling coffee grounds (coffee ground emesis).
5 Causes of Gastritis
Gastritis occurs when your immune system reacts to something happening in your stomach. In response, your immune system dispatches inflammatory cells to your stomach lining to combat infections and assist in tissue repair.
This inflammation is what typically causes gastritis symptoms, if present. However, the root cause lies elsewhere—something posing a threat to your stomach lining.
Several factors could be responsible:
1. Infections
Bacterial and viral infections are common culprits, particularly for acute gastritis. Infections like the stomach flu can trigger a short-term reaction that usually resolves on its own.
Chronic gastritis can result from persistent bacterial infections such as H. pylori, a prevalent culprit. Additionally, less common causes include parasitic and fungal infections.
2. Chemicals
Alcohol and certain medications can induce either acute or chronic gastritis, depending on usage frequency and quantity. These substances can chemically erode the stomach lining, leading to erosive gastritis.
Overuse of NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen is a primary cause of acute gastritis. Some recreational drugs, such as cocaine, may also contribute to it.
3. Autoimmune Disease
Chronic inflammation characterizes autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells.
Chronic autoimmune gastritis may occur spontaneously or, less commonly, as a side effect of another autoimmune disorder.
4. Reduced Blood Supply
Major surgeries, trauma, or critical illnesses can induce acute gastritis.
Severe physiological stress diverts blood supply from the digestive system to vital organs, compromising the stomach lining's defenses and rendering it susceptible to internal chemicals.
5. Additional Causes
Other factors contributing to gastritis may include:
- Radiation therapy (resulting in mucositis).
- Chemotherapy.
- Bile reflux.
Possible Complications of Gastritis
Usually, gastritis is temporary and not too concerning. However, if it persists, it can eventually harm your stomach lining, leading to complications.
1. Erosive Gastritis and Ulcer Complications
- Prolonged erosive gastritis can progress to peptic ulcer disease, which may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, resulting in anemia.
- Frequent ulcers can lead to scarring. Scar tissue in your stomach can become problematic if it narrows or blocks the openings at the bottom, known as gastric outlet obstruction (GOO).
Source: Frequent ulcers can lead to gastric outlet obstruction
- An untreated ulcer can create a hole through your stomach wall (gastrointestinal perforation), allowing bacteria to escape into your abdominal cavity, leading to peritonitis.
- Peritonitis can trigger further complications, including septicemia and sepsis.
2. Nonerosive Gastritis, Atrophy, and Metaplasia
- Nonerosive gastritis progresses slowly, but over time, it can cause your stomach lining to diminish (atrophy) and lose some functionality.
- Digesting and absorbing certain nutrients, like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, may become challenging, leading to pernicious anemia.
- In rare cases, long-term gastritis can prompt the cells in your stomach lining to transform into a different type of tissue, termed gastric intestinal metaplasia. This cellular change is considered precancerous, increasing the risk of developing stomach cancer according to healthcare providers.
How to Permanently Cure Gastritis
Permanently curing chronic gastritis necessitates professional intervention tailored to the underlying cause.
Treatment approaches may include:
- Antibiotics and other medications: If Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the culprit, antibiotics are typically prescribed alongside other medications to eradicate the bacteria.
- Alternative medications: Finding substitutes for NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) if they have been contributing to gastritis.
- Addiction treatment: For individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder or cocaine addiction, seeking addiction treatment services is crucial.
- Targeted drugs: In cases of autoimmune diseases, specialized medications targeting the underlying autoimmune condition may be prescribed.
- Surgery: Rarely, surgical intervention may be necessary to address complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, ischemia, or bile reflux.
- Prescription acid-blocking medications: These medications help reduce stomach acid production, promoting healing of the stomach lining.
Consulting a healthcare professional is essential for accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment to effectively manage and potentially cure gastritis.
In Summary
The majority of Gastritis Inflammation cases respond well to treatment, leading to rapid improvement. Medications effectively alleviate symptoms for most individuals.
However, achieving full recovery may require making permanent lifestyle adjustments. This could involve changing how you manage other health conditions and considering quitting or reducing substance use to prevent gastritis recurrence.
Additionally, if an underlying chronic condition is identified, you may need to follow a new long-term treatment plan tailored to address it.
