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).
Antacids: Antacids relieve the symptoms of gastritis by neutralizing the stomach acid responsible for the inflammation. Some examples include: Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone. Calcium carbonate.
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.
The health care professional may recommend that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) be taken with food or with antacids. Doing this may lessen the chance of developing gastritis symptoms. Switching from aspirin or NSAIDs to another pain reliever may help as well.
Generally, acute gastritis lasts anywhere from 2-10 days and can be greatly improved with symptomatic treatment.
Acute gastritis usually lasts for a short period of time. In most cases, it resolves spontaneously within a few days or weeks once the inflammation has settled. In other cases, however, acute gastritis can lead to recurrent or long-term inflammation of the gastric mucosa, otherwise known as chronic gastritis.
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.
If you think the cause of your gastritis is repeated use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), try switching to a different painkiller that isn't in the NSAID class, such as paracetamol.
The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 has been shown in human clinical trials to reduce GI symptoms such as: regurgitation, nausea and vomiting12 whilst improving gut microbial composition13.
There are several medications to treat gastritis: antacids (such as Mylanta or Gastrogel), which can neutralise the stomach acid but can cause constipation or diarrhoea and may reduce absorption of some medications (for more information, speak to your local doctor or pharmacist)
Gnawing or burning ache or pain (indigestion) in your upper abdomen that may become either worse or better with eating. Nausea. Vomiting. A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating.
Milk might provide brief relief, but it also increases stomach acid, which can worsen symptoms. Your doctor may recommend taking antacids or other drugs to reduce acid in the stomach. Talk with a health care provider if you're concerned about ongoing pain or discomfort in your stomach.
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.
While gastritis can be mild and heal on its own, sometimes treatment may be needed, depending on the cause and symptoms.
In most cases, you will be given antacids and other medicines to reduce your stomach acid. This will help ease your symptoms and heal your stomach lining. If your gastritis is caused by an illness or infection, your provider will also treat that health problem.
A type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori is the most common bacterial cause of gastritis.
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.
One person with gastritis may have no noticeable symptoms, while another may have severe symptoms. Typically, people report a sharp, stabbing, or burning pain in the upper-center or upper-left abdomen. The pain often radiates to the back. Other common symptoms include bloating and nausea.
Seek medical attention if symptoms of stomach irritation or indigestion last for a week or longer. A person should seek emergency medical attention immediately if there is blood in their vomit or stool, or if the stool is notably black and looks similar to ground coffee.
Gastritis tends to affect the lining of the stomach, whereas gastroenteritis affects the intestines. Gastritis is inflammation, or irritation, of the stomach lining. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, is inflammation of the intestine, or the stomach and the bowel. Gastritis can be acute or chronic.
Gaviscon Regular Strength Tablets has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 from a total of 5 ratings on Drugs.com. 50% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 50% reported a negative effect. Mylanta has an average rating of 10.0 out of 10 from a total of 2 ratings on Drugs.com.