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Understanding the Basics of Gastritis

Author:Dr.Irena Mehandjiska Shumanska

The size of your stomach equals the size of your fist. 

This is typical for some people, but not for all.

The usual capacity of the stomach is approximately 1.5 liters.

It’s structure is mostly made from muscles and its stretching ability can change its size with time, depending on the amount of food we consume every day. The inner layer that covers the muscular structure is called gastric mucosa which is a type of moist tissue that produces enzymes and hydrochloric acid. The enzymes are helping the digestion of food and the hydrochloric acid serves to digest proteins and furthermore to destroy bacteria and viruses consumed along with the food.

The level of acid in your stomach increases every time when you are under stress, when you consume spicy food, smoke cigarettes, drink caffeinated drinks, drink alcohol or take NSAID (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs). The stomach acid will also increase if you have irregular meals and you are not sleeping enough. Excess stomach acid will be present especially if these habits are repeated every day and if there is an active infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

If the acid levels in the stomach are increased for a longer period of time,the acid itself can damage the protective inner lining of the stomach and cause gastrointestinal disorders.

What is gastritis?

The most common type of gastrointestinal disorder is gastritis.

Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach,after the protective lining has been damaged. Causes include drugs (NSAID), alcohol and acute stress and infection with H.pylori.The symptoms of gastritis are mild in the beginning and not specific,especially if the gastritis is caused by bacterial infection. Many people with gastritis will experience indigestion,burning stomach pain, nausea and feeling sick.

It can be acute or chronic, depending on how it appeared. If gastritis happened suddenly, it’s acute form of gastritis and if it appeared slowly over time, it’s classified as chronic gastritis. The diagnosis of gastritis is not severe and improves quickly if treated.

Possible complications of gastritis are stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and stomach tumors.

How is diagnosed?

To diagnose gastritis, your GP might recommend some of the following tests such as breath test for Helicobacter pylori infection, a stool test to check for hidden bleeding from the stomach, and an endoscopy to look for signs of inflammation.

Medication

The common medication used to treat gastritis is a combination of drugs called antacids, H2 blockers, and PPI (proton pump inhibitors) depending on the symptoms.

All of these medications are for easing the symptoms of gastritis.

If the gastritis was caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, then a triple eradication therapy is prescribed. The eradication therapy usually contains two types of antibiotics and one PPI. The duration of the eradication therapy is 14 days.

The most important part after the eradication therapy is rechecking if the infection with Helicobacter pylori is still present because the reinfection with the same bacteria is very common.

What to eat and what to avoid when you have an attack of gastritis

When you have gastritis, avoid eating fried foods, spicy foods,avoid drink caffeinated drinks (besides coffee also tea) and alcohol and stop smoking. It is recommended to eat vegetables like baked potatoes, baked pumpkin and low-fat dairy foods like plain yogurt, white-whole wheat bread and baked apples for the first days when the symptoms are most intense.When facing symptoms from gastritis, always consider eating smaller and more frequent meals. If the symptoms persist, you need to consult your GP for further examinations and suitable treatments.

References:

- "Gastritis Symptoms". eMedicineHealth. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2008-11-18

- Kandulski A, Selgrad M, Malfertheiner P (August 2008). "Helicobacter pylori infection: a clinical overview". Digestive and Liver Disease. 40 (8): 619–26. doi:10.1016/j.dld.2008.02.026. PMID 18396114 

- "Gastritis". Merck. January 2007. Archivedfrom the original on 2009-01-25. Retrieved 2009-01-11.