Gastritis is a condition that inflames the stomach lining (the mucosa), causing belly pain, indigestion (dyspepsia), bloating and nausea. It can lead to other problems. Gastritis can come on suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic). Medications and dietary changes can reduce stomach acid and ease gastritis symptoms.
Gastritis can sometimes lead to pain, nausea and vomiting. But it often has no symptoms at all. If left untreated, though, some types of gastritis can lead to ulcers (sores in the stomach lining) or even stomach cancer. People used to think gastritis and ulcers were caused by stress and spicy foods.
Patients suffering from gastritis can experience a range of symptoms, from mild nausea or a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating, to more severe symptoms like severe pain, a burning sensation, and vomiting. The root of these symptoms is an inflammation of the mucus lining of the stomach.
Acid blockers — also called histamine (H-2) blockers — reduce the amount of acid released into your digestive tract, which relieves gastritis pain and encourages healing. Available by prescription or over the counter, acid blockers include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and nizatidine (Axid AR).
It can come and go in some. In others, it may be constant with waxing and waning intensities — with or without specific triggers (like it may be worse before or after eating). Sometimes, the pain will come and hang around. Other times, it comes and goes with periods of little-to-no discomfort.
Symptoms may include stomach pain, belching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bleeding, feeling full, and blood in vomit or stool. In most cases, you will be given antacids and other medicines to reduce your stomach acid. Don't have foods or drinks that irritate your stomach lining.
Gastritis is inflammation (irritation) of the stomach lining. This may be caused by many factors including infection, alcohol, particular medications and some allergic and immune conditions. Gastritis can be either acute (with severe attacks lasting a day or two) or chronic (with long-term appetite loss or nausea).
Lingering gastritis
If you experience persistent symptoms of gastritis that don't go away despite the absence of NSAIDs, alcohol, stress, and radiation, then you most likely have a serious infection in your stomach or a severely damaged gastric mucosa.
While you should avoid caffeine, some people with mild gastritis can tolerate weak tea or coffee with a splash of low-fat milk or non-dairy creamer. Water, herbal tea, non-dairy milk, and low-sugar/low-acid juices are your best options.
Drinking large amounts of water controls the acid levels of gastric juices, which helps accelerate the healing of gastritis. You should avoid drinking too much water immediately before and after meals, as it can be counterproductive.
Red flags include: Stomach discomfort that occurs after taking over-the-counter or prescription medications. Vomiting of blood. The presence of blood in stools (faeces)
It's normal to experience some degree of indigestion or stomach irritation from time to time. But it's important to talk to a provider or a K doctor if your stomach discomfort or gastritis symptoms last more than a week or interfere with your life. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical care right away.
The most common sign for gastritis is vomiting and/or loss of appetite. Signs for acute pancreatitis are vomiting, dehydration, a painful abdomen, lethargy, fever and diarrhea. Sometimes you may see blood in the stool.
Frequent upset stomach or diarrhoea
The sensation of uneasiness or discomfort and chronic diarrhoea are amongst the first and major signs of gastritis. Black or tarry bowel movements are usually caused by erosive gastritis.
You have bad pain in your tummy (abdomen) or feel unwell. You have pain or any other indigestion symptoms lasting for more than a week. The gastritis starts after taking any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter). You are vomiting blood or the colour of the vomit is like coffee.
Stress can cause a stomachache, and an even more serious condition called gastritis. If your bout of indigestion or inflammation lingers for a week or more – or if there is blood in your vomit or feces – you should see a physician to determine if you have gastritis.
There are prevention strategies for gastritis. But to get fast relief, a person will probably need to use over-the-counter medications that block or reduce stomach acid. Examples include calcium carbonate (Tums) or omeprazole (Prilosec). Learn more about antacids.
Gastritis Treatment Medications
These contain containing aluminum and magnesium and can help relieve neutralize gastric acid. These are inexpensive and relatively safe. Examples include: Alka-Seltzer, Milk of Magnesia, Gaviscon, Pepto-Bismol and Tums.
In Gastritis, feeling faint is accompanied with nausea, burning in stomach and tiredness.
Eating oatmeal with honey every day for breakfast is very beneficial for treating acute gastritis and ulcers. Mix 1 tbsp of olive oil in a cup of warm milk and have it in the early morning to treat stomach irritation.
People with gastritis often have pain, stinging pain, Abdominal tenderness, cramping under the epigastric region. These pains can be either before eating or after eating or an empty stomach, like when you are hungry in the morning or late at night, you may have stomach pain as and the pain come and go.