Chronic Gastritis

Gastritis simply refers to an inflammation of the stomach lining. It is therefore a symptom of disease, rather than a disease in itself. Gastritis can be caused by a variety of other health conditions and diseases, ranging from regular use of alcohol or certain medications to physical problems with the functioning of the stomach sphincter or the pyloric valve.

Gastritis is very often asymptomatic until it gets very severe, resulting in internal bleeding. If symptoms are present, they usually involve a dull pain in the upper part of the abdomen. In some cases the pain may be sharp and more severe, accompanied by breathlessness, sweating, vomiting blood, or passing blood in the stools. In less severe cases, nausea might also be present, and if the patient vomits, there may be streaks of blood in the vomit.

If you suffer from chronic gastritis, which means that the stomach lining is almost constantly inflamed, the causes are more likely to be related to the physical functioning of the digestive system. For example, if the pyloric valve malfunctions or has been removed for some reason, bile may enter the stomach, causing irritation and inflammation. Some disorders of the immune system can also cause chronic gastritis – the immune system accidentally attacks the stomach itself. In addition, Crohn’s Disease, AIDS, liver failure, and many other health conditions can cause or contribute to chronic inflammation of the gastric lining.

It is important to identify the cause of gastritis, as treatment of the underlying cause is essential. Symptomatic treatment options are limited, and are in any case not very effective. This mainly consists of using antacids, whether these are over the counter medications or home remedies. You can use any over the counter antacid, or else prepare a mixture of baking soda and water, and use this as an antacid. The proportions are usually a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of plain water. Antacids neutralize the stomach acid, thus preventing further irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining. However, this does not address the underlying cause of the problem. Antacids are generally safe, but stomach acid serves a purpose, and therefore constantly taking antacids is not advisable.

In addition, it is advisable to avoid consuming anything that can cause acidity or directly irritate the stomach lining. Spicy food, alcohol, coffee, and tobacco use should be strictly avoided. At the same time, consuming yogurt and buttermilk on a regular basis is supposed to help.