Definition
Gastritis is the Latin term for inflammation of the stomach. The stomach is located in the digestive tract between the esophagus and the upper part of the small intestine. It has enormously important functions in the digestive process and is therefore also subject to some stress.
The stomach consists of mucous membrane, muscle and connective tissue layers. However, when talking about gastritis, in most cases only the mucous membrane is meant. The typical inflammation of the stomach is therefore inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach. Depending on the cause of the gastritis, they can be divided into a type A, B or C.
Causes
Inflammation of the stomach lining can result from many influences. The reason for the gastritis is decisive in which of the three categories the inflammation is classified. In rare cases, an autoimmune reaction can be behind it, in which the body’s own immune cells destroy the acid-producing cells of the stomach.
This leads to gastritis type A. In type B, the inflammation is caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Very often the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is involved.
In the present case of type C gastritis, chemicals are the reason for the inflammation of the mucous membrane. The most common chemical that triggers such a clinical picture is the hydrochloric acid of the stomach. It is permanently formed and secreted in the stomach.
If there is an imbalance in the pH value in the stomach, the mucous membrane of the stomach can become inflamed due to hyperacidity. Acidosis can have many causes. Alcohol (stomach pain after alcohol), nicotine and caffeine consumption can promote and contribute to damage of the mucous membrane.
Likewise, too fatty or wrong food additionally stimulates hydrochloric acid production in the stomach. Other triggers of hyperacidity can be medication, e.g. painkillers, food poisoning and acidic foods. Burns caused by accidental swallowing of acids or alkalis must also be taken into consideration.
Inflammation after contact of the stomach mucosa with bile acid may occur less frequently. As a rule, this only occurs with special clinical pictures or after stomach operations. The bile can return to the stomach via the duodenum.
This form of chemically induced inflammation of the stomach lining is also classified as type C gastritis. Stress in everyday life is a factor that should not be underestimated in triggering gastritis. Both psychological and physical stress influence the entire digestive process.
It is often proverbially claimed that stress “hits the stomach”. The two are indeed closely related. The digestion is put at the back of the body and stress can lead to an acid-induced inflammation of the stomach lining.
By slowing down the digestion of food, the period of acid secretion in the stomach is longer, which in turn increases the risk of gastritis. At the latest when the psychological stress has consequences for health, an active stress management (stress reduction) must take place. A professional psychological consultation can help here.
Stress in everyday life is often accompanied by other risk factors for gastrointestinal complaints. Increased and regular coffee consumption also has direct effects on the stomach and its mucous membrane. The typical risk factors for stomach problems are coffee, stress, smoking, alcohol and medication.
Coffee consumption causes the stomach cells to produce a lot of hydrochloric acid, which is not sufficiently bound by coffee. Often, a few minutes after drinking coffee, the affected person has a burning sensation behind the breastbone or in the upper abdomen. Therapeutically already simple changes of the eating and drinking habits can help in the early stage of the inflammation.
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