Gastritis is nothing but an inflammation of the stomach lining. The common causes of gastritis include drinking too much alcohol, excessive use of aspirin or ibuprofen or the presence of a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori is one of the most common causes of acidity (inflammation) and affects nearly two-thirds of the world’s population. H. pylori is a bacterium that lives in the protective mucus layer of the stomach. The bacterium weakens the mucus layer and allows the stomach acid to reach the underneath stomach lining. This acid can irritate the stomach lining and cause an ulcer. If left untreated, this condition could cause recurrent ulcers and, in some instances, lead to gastric (stomach) cancer. Apart from H. pylori there are many causes of gastritis like age, autoimmune disease, and stress.
During acute phases, an individual may experience abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. During more chronic phases, the abdominal pain will likely be duller and the individual will likely experience a loss of appetite. In most situations, effective treatment is available and serious complications are unusual.
Treatment depends on the cause of the Gastritis. Some treatments kill bacteria. Others reduce symptoms. If medications or alcohol are suspected, stopping them may relieve symptoms. Acid-neutralizing medications such as antacids can provide immediate pain relief by neutralizing the acid already in your stomach.
It may not be possible to prevent gastritis, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and symptoms like avoiding acidic, fatty, fried, and spicy foods that can irritate your stomach, avoiding taking NSAIDs without consulting your doctor, eat more frequent, small meals instead of three large meals daily, managing your stress, practicing good hygiene, reducing or avoiding alcohol intake, and coffee.