Gastritis, also known as gastric catarrh, is a disease of the gastric mucosa. In the course of the disease, inflammation develops within the stomach. Especially older people suffer from gastritis. Gastritis can occur acutely, as well as chronically.
What is gastritis?
Gastritis is also known as gastritis in medical terminology and describes an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach. It can be an acute condition that resolves, or it can be a chronic condition. The most common symptom includes moderate to severe abdominal pain, which often leads to misdiagnosis. In some cases, the pain extends below the breastbone, which is why the heart is often suspected as the trigger. Typically, the discomfort improves for a short time after eating. Bloody vomiting, tarry stools and anemia are also typical symptoms. The chronic form is indicated by watery diarrhea, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Causes
Gastritis or gastritis is divided into four types that describe the exact cause. Known are types A, B, C and R. Type A gastritis is an autoimmune disease. The acid-producing gastric cells are attacked and the pH value in the stomach increases. This also increases the production of gastrin and there is a risk of carcinoma formation. Type B gastritis results from bacterial infection and is the most common form. The bacteria cause chronic stomach ulcers, which can develop into stomach cancer. Most often, this form of gastritis is localized at the exit of the stomach. Type C gastritis is a chemically caused disease. For example, it can be caused by bile in the stomach. It can also be triggered by various medications such as painkillers, for example diclofenac, aspirin or ibuprofen, as well as antibiotics. In some cases, heavy alcohol consumption or the use of tobacco can also be identified as causes. Type R gastritis is rarely found in standard medical literature. It describes a gastritis caused by frequent heartburn. This causes irritation of the mucosa and, among other things, leads to the well-known symptoms or further complications.
Typical symptoms and signs
Gastritis is typically manifested by pain and a severe burning sensation in the upper abdomen. These symptoms are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. Acute gastritis is characterized by severe stomach and back pain, usually accompanied by tenderness of the stomach. In addition, there is an increasing loss of appetite or a feeling of fullness. In addition, flatulence and belching may occur. The signs of illness are most severe after meals and usually occur in phases. Chronic gastritis is often completely asymptomatic. The symptoms develop gradually, often over the course of months or even years, and are not noticed until late. Possible signs of chronic gastritis are nonspecific complaints in the upper abdomen, for example burning and pain. Burping and a feeling of fullness after eating are characteristic. The symptoms occur especially after eating foods that are difficult to digest and subside after a few minutes. Externally, gastritis cannot be detected at first. As the disease progresses, weight loss may occur, and patients often have a sickly appearance and appear emaciated. Symptoms become more severe in the absence of treatment and cause other diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract as the disease progresses.
Disease progression
Gastritis or gastritis is initially accompanied by nonspecific abdominal pain (stomach ache). These may extend to below the breastbone. If it remains only that, gastritis may disappear on its own within a few days. In severe cases of the acute form, however, bloody vomiting, tarry stools or symptoms of anemia present themselves, signaling that a visit to the doctor is due. In the chronic form of gastritis, the symptoms are more moderate or do not appear at all. There is watery diarrhea, nausea or loss of appetite, often also anemia.The course of the disease is different in that the symptoms always return. The time interval in between varies from person to person.
Complications
De possible complications of gastritis differ depending on the trigger of the condition. For example, type A gastritis can lead to the formation of carcinoma (which is usually harmless and easily controlled). However, transitions to gastric carcinoma are still possible. In addition, the gastric mucosal cells are gradually decimated. As a result, missing stomach cells lead to a reduced absorption of vitamin B12, which can lead to a particular form of anemia. The many secondary symptoms (fatigue, digestive problems, tendency to collapse) increase the mortality rate tremendously if no treatment is given. Type B gastritis can cause ulcers, affecting one percent of the stomach itself. Ulcers can also occur in the duodenum (five percent of cases). The risk for gastric cancer is considered increased. In a few cases, developing ulcers develop into tumors. Disturbances of the blood count also occur. This can lead to a platelet deficiency, which is particularly dangerous in the event of injury. Iron deficiency with its consequences also occurs. Type C gastritis can lead to complications due to frequent and violent bleeding, which is mainly due to blood loss and inflammation that is difficult to control. All forms of gastritis can progress to a chronic course. In addition, the frequency of heartburn increases the risk of pathologic change in the esophagus (Barrett’s esophagus).
When should you see a doctor?
If the affected person suffers from persistent or increasing pain in the upper abdomen, he or she needs medical care. If there is a severe sensation of pain, cramping, or a burning sensation in the stomach, a doctor should be consulted immediately. Nausea, vomiting and disturbances within the digestive tract are signs of an irregularity that needs to be investigated and treated. If there is a loss of appetite, a decrease in body weight, a feeling of fullness, repeated belching or flatulence, a doctor should be consulted. If the affected person adopts a relieving posture and can no longer perform everyday duties as usual, a visit to the doctor is necessary. The cause must be determined so that treatment can be initiated. If the complaints increase immediately after food intake, this is an indication of a health impairment. Action is required, as gastritis often results in further deterioration of the general state of health in the following days. If there is tenderness in the upper abdomen or back discomfort, a doctor is needed. If performance decreases, a feeling of illness occurs or there is a feeling of internal weakness, a doctor should be consulted. Behavioral abnormalities, irritability, the acute decrease in well-being are other symptoms that indicate a disease and should be assessed by a doctor.
Treatment and therapy
Acute gastritis often resolves on its own within a few days or on the same day. If it persists longer, medications that inhibit gastric acid production are prescribed. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are used. During gastritis, alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine should be avoided – and milk if antibiotics are administered. Chronic gastritis, for example type A, does not always need to be treated. However, if bleeding occurs, it must be sealed during gastroscopy or surgery. Against discomfort of gastritis help drugs that slightly inhibit the production of gastric acid.
Outlook and prognosis
The further development of gastritis is tied to the present disease triggers of the cause. With a bacterial infection, there is usually significant relief of symptoms within a few days or weeks with medical care. Recovery is usually achieved after about ten days. The patient can then be discharged from treatment free of symptoms. A new bacterial infection may occur in the course of a patient’s life, in which case the prognosis is equally favorable.If the bacterial infection has been triggered by a stomach ulcer or cancer, this cause must be cured so that the gastritis also recedes. The earlier the tissue change is diagnosed and treated, the better the further prospects. In an advanced stage, a life-threatening condition can develop. If an autoimmune disease is present, the outlook worsens. In most cases, lifelong medical therapy is necessary for improvement to occur. However, the risk of developing carcinoma is increased in these patients. In most cases of chemically induced disease, lifestyle changes are required. Recovery is possible as soon as the irritant substances are no longer consumed. Therefore, to be free of symptoms, it is necessary to abstain from alcohol or tobacco.
Aftercare
The treatment and the further course depend thereby strongly on the time of the diagnosis, so that a general prediction is not always possible here. A gastritis can, depending on the physical condition of the affected person, be life-threatening in the worst case. In the case of gastritis, regular visits to the attending physician are usually made in order to clarify the course of healing. Follow-up care is more like preventive handling. Acidic and hard-to-digest foods should be eliminated from the diet for the duration of treatment, and balanced meals and moderate exercise boost the recovery process. Any complications can be detected and treated at an early stage. If gastritis persists for a longer period of time and is not treated, weight loss and permanent damage to the mucosa may occur. In this case, more in-depth research should be done to find the cause.
What you can do yourself
In the case of gastritis, some self-help measures and home remedies can be resorted to. First, a change in dietary habits is recommended. Sick people should eat mainly alkaline foods such as steamed vegetables, whole grains, rice, fruit with little acid and nuts. Fatty foods and drinks should be avoided, as well as anything too spicy, hot or cold. Very important: It is best to eat many small meals throughout the day and chew each bite well. In addition, drink plenty of fluids. However, no alcohol or caffeine, but soothing teas or still water. In addition to these dietary measures, a stomach cure in the form of green tea, chamomile or ginger helps. An effective home remedy for gastritis is turmeric. Mallow leaves and natural yogurt also have a positive effect on the stomach and intestines. One of the oldest home remedies for gastritis, however, is the rolling cure, in which the sufferer lies down on his stomach and back alternately after eating a meal that is easy on the stomach. In addition, bed rest and sparing are recommended. Physically strenuous activities should be avoided at first. It is better to cure the illness slowly and to take it easy on the stomach. If symptoms persist, gastritis should be taken to a doctor.
