Gastritis: what are the symptoms and what treatments to take?

What causes gastritis?

This inflammation specific alters the functioning of the immune defenses of the stomach. Result: the stomach acid it contains eventually attack the stomach walls which, in response, trigger an inflammatory process.

This phenomenon can have multiple origins. Thus, acute gastritis is usually caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria who regularly attacks the lining of the stomach. But they can also result from a prolonged administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or a excessive consumption of alcohol. For their part, chronic gastritis is often associated with other pathologies: Bierner's disease, cirrhosis, endocrinopathy, stomach cancer, hiatal hernia ...

Symptoms of gastritis

The symptoms of gastritis are similar to those found in the majority of functional digestive disorders (dyspepsia). Thus, the patient with acute or chronic gastritis complains of burns and cramps in the stomach. Generally, these events occur at mealtimes or immediately thereafter.

The pain can be aggravated by ingestion of certain acidic, sugary or alcoholic products. The consumption of fatty foods, it causes more bile reflux. Some people also have a inflammation of the tongue and mouth ulcers.

Faced with these symptoms, it is not uncommon for women to be associated with loss of appetite and one emaciation. Sometimes a small but persistent haemorrhage occurs, causing a anemia for lack of iron. In the case of the most severe gastritis, digestive haemorrhages with bloody vomiting may arise in particular in the case of perforation of gastric ulcer caused by chronic gastritis.

How is she diagnosed?

Thedigestive endoscopy, or fibroscopy, is the main examination to confirm the diagnosis of gastritis. This medical technique involves introducing an optical camera through the oral cavity to visualize the interior of the stomach. On this occasion, the doctor generally practices tissue samples which will be analyzed to detect possible bacteria and to specify its degree of gravity.

In some cases, a gastric tubing is performed to observe disorders caused by gastric secretion.

What are the treatments for gastritis?

The management of gastritis relies above all on its origin. Acute gastritis may be relieved by the suppression of tobacco, alcohol, acidic foods, products that increase gastric acidity or anti-inflammatory drugs.

When the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is incriminated, its elimination is based on a antibiotic adapted.

Chronic or painful gastric forms may require resting of the stomach to reduce the risk of complications, ie the patient must stay fast for a few days. of the antacid drugs are often prescribed to reduce acid production and relieve pain. A background treatment is then set up in order to protect the stomach mucosa through H2 antihistamine drugs or some gastric protectors.

What are the potential complications ?

Careful medical monitoring of patients suffering from gastritis is essential. In fact, untreated gastritis can worsen and provoke a gastrointestinal bleeding, a perforation of the stomach wall even a cellulitis. It has also been shown that chronic gastritis increases risks ofulcers gastric and of stomach cancer.

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