7 Common Symptoms of Gastritis: Causes, Diagnosis

The human stomach has a protective lining of mucus called mucosa to protect it from the acids responsible for digesting food. Any inflammation or erosion in the stomach lining exposes the stomach to the acids, causing the condition called gastritis. While infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) bacteria is the most common reason for gastritis, there are many other factors that cause gastritis. It includes alcohol consumption, indigestion, ingestion of chemicals, autoimmune disorders, etc.

Acute gastritis involves sudden but severe inflammation that may last for a day or two, while chronic gastritis causes loss of appetite due to long-term inflammation and can lead to other conditions too, if left untreated.

Prior to discussing the gastrointestinal treatments for reducing inflammation of the stomach lining, let us look at the major signs of gastritis that must not be neglected.

7 Signs and Symptoms of Gastritis

Some people with gastritis may not have any symptoms. In other acute or chronic cases, the patient may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal Pain

The most common symptom that a person with gastritis may experience is pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. The pain can be aching, burning, or gnawing depending on the severity of the condition and other factors.

• Nausea or vomiting

When gastritis leads to stomach lining tears or ulcers, the patient may feel nauseous or experience vomiting. The vomiting may be clear, yellow, or green in mild cases. Blood-streaked or completely bloody vomit may be experienced in acute erosive gastritis cases, usually several days after the onset of the condition.

• Loss of appetite

In severe or acute gastritis, the patient may experience a sudden loss of appetite generally triggered due to the feeling of nausea or vomiting sensation right after eating the meal, thus disturbing the entire food processing cycle.

• 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.

• Belching

Belching, also called burping, is a natural process. However, too much burping may be a sign of gastritis, and in most cases of gastritis, burping is accompanied by other symptoms like heartburn and foul-smelling flatulence.

• Feeling of fullness

Eating less than usual and feeling full too soon caused by appetite loss or nausea may be another symptom of inflammation in the stomach lining.

• Bloating

A common symptom of gastritis is to watch out for maybe swelling or prolonged bloating in the abdominal region accompanied by stomach pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen.

In case, the stomach lining is exposed to the stomach acid due to erosion (erosive gastritis), it may result in stomach ulcers or bleeding. In such cases of severe or acute gastritis, the following symptoms may be experienced by the patient:

• Shortness of breath, tiredness, racing heartbeat and paleness caused by anaemia.
• Severe chest pain
• Vomiting blood or coffee-grounds like materials
• Bloody and/or foul-smelling bowel movements

How is gastritis diagnosed?

The main problem with delayed diagnosis of gastritis is that, in the initial stages, the symptoms seem trivial and many patients neglect them. However, any person experiencing more than one of the aforementioned symptoms must consult a gastro physician and undergo a proper diagnosis for effective treatment.

The doctor may use one or more of the following tests to diagnose the condition and establish its severity:

An assessment of medical history that would typically include the doctor asking questions about eating, smoking, and drinking habits and the use of medication like antacids, antibiotics, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. An expert doctor also examines the possibility of any other underlying conditions like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or any other auto-immune disorder.

A breath test to identify infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in this, the patient is given a glass of clear, tasteless liquid containing radioactive carbon to drink and is requested to blow into a bag to measure the isotopic carbon in the exhaled carbon dioxide.

If the person experiences bloody stools, a stool test may be recommended by the doctor to check for H. pylori infection and bleeding from the stomach.

An endoscopy may also be done to check for signs of inflammation in the stomach.

Treating Gastritis

Gastritis is a curable condition and its line of treatment may vary for each patient depending on the cause and the type of condition, i.e., whether it is acute or chronic gastritis. Usually, the treatment may be a mix of medications that includes antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, antacids and h3 blockers to neutralise acid formation, anti-nausea medication, and coating agents to protect the stomach lining.

Along with medication, the doctors also recommend strict dietary changes, quitting alcohol consumption and smoking, and managing stress.

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Belching | Burping – Causes & treatment

What is belching?

Belching is a very useful and normal physiological process – as long as it happens moderately (up to four burps after a meal). When you belch, swallowed air from the stomach is carried back out through the mouth so that the digestion can run undisturbed. Sometimes a minimal amount of stomach content also comes up, this is then called acid belching. This is not problematic if it only occurs from time to time.

In the 15th century, belching was regarded as a form of praise to the host or cook. But these times are now long gone. Today, loud belching, colloquially called burping, is considered rude in most Western cultures. This is one of the reasons why we find it very unpleasant even if it occurs without physical discomfort.

When is a visit to the doctor necessary?

If belching occurs particularly often, causes you inconvenience or is accompanied by other symptoms such as heartburn, nausea and stomach pain, you should consult a doctor. The same applies if the outcoming air is accompanied by an unpleasant odour. All of this can be an indication of a disease or disorder of the gastrointestinal tract.

What diseases/disorders can cause burping?

First of all: Frequent belching does not always indicate a disease. Therefore, your doctor will ask you about further complaints, accompanying illnesses and your lifestyle habits. A thorough physical examination will also be carried out. Here are just a few examples of the many possible causes.

Reflux disease

In the case of frequent acid belching connected with heartburn, the first suspicion is usually reflux disease. This refers to the reflux of the acidic stomach contents into the oesophagus. In the long run, this can lead to changes or inflammations of the mucous membrane. Very often the disease is due to a malfunction of the oesophageal sphincter, which can be described as a “valve” between the oesophagus and the stomach. Concurrently, there are a number of other causes that your physician will investigate. Nowadays, this disease can be well controlled by various medications, but in some very rare cases an operation on the oesophageal sphincter might also be needed. In addition, patients can positively influence the symptoms to a certain extent through an appropriate diet.

Gastritis

With symptomatic gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining, normal everyday life can become harder. Gastritis patients can suffer from burping, but also stomach pain, nausea, feeling of fullness and other gastric symptoms.

Depending on the cause and duration, there are several different forms of gastritis. There is acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. The chronic variant is further differentiated into types A, B and C.

While acute gastritis is accompanied by clearly noticeable symptoms and is usually quite painful, the chronic form might go unnoticed. Many doctors determine inflammation of the gastric mucosa by ultrasound or a gastroscopy. Then, depending on the type, different treatment methods are available. In some cases, it is sufficient to protect the stomach with an appropriate diet. There are also drugs that block or neutralise the stomach acid. In cases of bacterial inflammation, caused by Helicobacter pylori germs, a special therapy to eradicate the bacterium with different drugs is indicated.

Functional dyspepsia or irritable stomach

In addition to diseases with organic causes, belching can also be associated with irritable stomach. This functional gastrointestinal disorder is not due to any organic changes in the body. In addition to belching, typical symptoms of irritable stomach include early satiety, upper abdominal pain and the feeling of fullness. In some cases the symptoms are so bad that the everyday life of affected people is severely restricted.

It is likely that there are several interacting physical, psychological and social factors behind irritable stomach. A hypersensitivity of the nervous system of the gastrointestinal area has been described in patients with irritable stomach. Furthermore, disturbances of gastric motility are described as one of the causes for the discomfort.

The aim of the treatment is first and foremost to alleviate symptoms such as abdominal cramps, stomach pain or bloating. The treatment options depend on the identified trigger. Here, in addition to medical support, a good self-observation is required: Do the complaints occur during stress, or after eating certain foods or “just like that”?

In addition to healthy living and eating habits, which may not only balance your life but your digestion as well, selected herbs can also help balance your digestive system – for example Angelica root. Its extracts have shown relaxing effects on the upper part of the stomach and tonicizing effect on slack muscles such as the ones found in the lower, transporter area of the stomach. It is only one of nine highly effective medicinal plants that can be found in the herbal preparation Iberogast®.

Aerophagy

This is a term used to describe the increased swallowing of air without food or carbonated beverage intake being involved. Here, too, there is no organic cause. Often it is a nervous disorder that can be traced back to stress, for example. In babies, aerophagy is physiologically caused and does not represent a disorder.

What if your belching isn’t caused by a gastric disorder?

That’s good news! Because burping and acid belching can be alleviated to a certain degree without any medical intervention. For many people – let’s be honest – it is simply caused by hasty eating and not quite as healthy food. The following tips can be worth a try:

• Eat slowly – Those who eat more slowly also consume less air and can also enjoy their meals more consciously.
• Eat healthy – Make sure that your food is as low in fat and sugar as possible – you can achieve a lot with this as high fat food can trigger heartburn, especially if you experience acid burping.
• Avoid carbonated drinks – These bring additional gases into the stomach – better rely on still water and unsweetened teas
• Avoid alcohol and nicotine – Because these are general irritants of the stomach and can stimulate belching

Can nature provide support against belching?

If the belching is a symptom associated with your irritable stomach, there is a treatment option with a combination of perfectly matched medicinal plants. Iberogast® is a proven solution with 9 herbs, which can help calm sensitive stomach nerves and irritated stomach mucous membranes. Disturbed muscle movements in the gastrointestinal tract can also be normalised. In this way, the stomach regains its balance – and you can concentrate again on the things that are important to you – with the effective power of nature.

Iberogast®

Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract are usually not only extremely unpleasant and associated with numerous complaints, they often make a normal everyday life even harder. It’s good that there is Iberogast®: The combination of nine medicinal plants targets both the underlying causes and the annoying symptoms.

All about Iberogast®

Digestive Symptoms Articles References

Gastritis, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | Alpha

Gastritis: types, symptoms, treatment, diet

Gastritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the lining of the stomach. According to statistics, almost every second inhabitant of Russia has experienced symptoms of this pathology at least once. Gastritis is treated by a general practitioner or gastroenterologist.

Causes of disease

Inflammation develops when the normal level of acidity is disturbed. Possible causes of changes in the pH of gastric juice:

• Excess consumption of spicy, sour, fried, fatty foods.
• Poisoning by poor-quality food, chemicals.
• Diseases of the pancreas, gallbladder, other pathologies in which excess bile is thrown into the stomach.
• Taking certain medicines without medical supervision.
• chronic stress.
• Bad habits.
• Hormonal disorders.

Types and forms of the disease

There are acute and chronic gastritis.

The acute form develops quickly, as a result of short-term exposure to negative factors. Types of inflammation:

• catarrhal. It develops against the background of food poisoning or as a result of regular poor nutrition.
• fibrinous. Occurs with heavy metal poisoning.
• Necrotic. The process develops when swallowing alkaline or acidic substances.
• Phlegmonous. Acute gastritis occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the mucosa, for example, after gastric resection.

In the absence of treatment, the disease progresses, becomes chronic. Erosive gastritis may develop. Defects are formed on the surface of the mucosa, which gradually increase. A dangerous complication of erosive gastritis of the stomach is an ulcer and its further malignancy – degeneration into a malignant tumor.

Due to inflammation, the disease happens:

• Non-infectious origin (type A). Symptoms of gastritis develop as a result of autoimmune processes.
• Infectious origin (type B). Inflammation is associated with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

Symptoms of gastritis

Common symptoms of gastritis in adults and children are abdominal pain (due to impaired gastric motility), nausea, bloating, belching, digestive problems, excessive salivation. The intensity and nature of clinical manifestations depend on the shift in the pH of gastric juice.

Signs of a disease with an increased level of acidity:

• “Hungry” pain in gastritis.
• Heartburn.
• Softening of the stool.
• Belching with a sour taste.

Signs of gastritis with low acidity:

• Belching with taste of rotten egg.
• Bad breath.
• Flatulence.
• Constipation.
• Pain in the abdomen that gets worse after eating.
• Frequent rumbling in the stomach.
• Morning sickness.

The severity of symptoms varies and depends on the location of the defect, the degree of mucosal damage. For example, if the upper parts of the stomach are damaged, the signs are mild (superficial gastritis). The disease is manifested only by periodic heartburn. Unlike superficial, atrophic gastritis occurs with severe pain, accompanied by weight loss. The reason is the spread of inflammation to the endocrine glands. Atrophic changes in tissues develop.

Chronic gastritis occurs with frequent exacerbations and remissions. The disease is seasonal. As a rule, exacerbations of gastritis occur in spring and autumn.

Diagnostics

The following methods are used to make a diagnosis:

• Fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS). A tube with a video camera is pushed through the esophagus into the stomach. The image is transmitted to the monitor. The doctor can examine the mucous membranes of the esophagus, stomach, take tissue for a biopsy.
• Analysis of the bacterium Helicobacter. The study is necessary for the diagnosis of gastritis of an infectious nature.
• Abdominal ultrasound. The examination determines the condition of the spleen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, intestines. The results of ultrasound help to establish or exclude inflammatory diseases of the internal organs that have the same symptoms as gastritis.
• pH meter. Measure the acidity of the digestive juice.

Treatment of gastritis

The disease is treated with drugs to relieve inflammation and heal the mucosa. Drug therapy includes enveloping agents based on bismuth nitrate, antacids, proton pump blockers. Additionally, probiotics or enzymes may be prescribed to normalize digestion. Medicines are selected by a doctor, self-administration of drugs can harm and worsen the patient’s condition. Any use of folk remedies should also be agreed with a specialist.

If the inflammation of the gastric mucosa is caused by the Helicobacter bacterium, drug therapy necessarily includes taking antibiotics according to an individual scheme. What and how to treat gastritis – in each case, the doctor determines.

Additionally, diet therapy is prescribed. Modern drugs are highly effective, so that nutrition for gastritis may not be as strict as it was before. But, if possible, it is desirable to exclude or reduce the consumption of alcohol, coffee, strong tea, pastries, cakes, fatty fish, duck meat, goose, pork, lamb, spices, canned food, sausages, pearl barley and wheat groats, pasta, sour fruits and berries, rye bread. The diet is selected by the doctor individually.

What you can eat with gastritis without fear:

• Kiseli.
• Kashi.
• Vegetable soups.
• Mashed potatoes with vegetable oil.
• Vermicelli.
• Daily aged white bread.
• Poultry meat without skin.
• Lean beef, rabbit.
• Honey, marshmallow, marshmallow.

Diagnosis and treatment of gastritis in Nizhny Novgorod

The clinic “Alfa Health Center” invites adults and children to undergo a comprehensive examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Make an appointment with your doctor when the first symptoms appear: the earlier the diagnosis is made, the faster and easier it is to treat. The specialist will tell you what you can eat with gastritis, advise on measures to prevent relapses. The phone number for an appointment with a doctor is indicated on the website.

prices for a doctor’s consultation at the medical center “TN-CLINIC”

Gastritis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Gastritis is the leading disease of the digestive system and is directly related to malnutrition; it can be detected already in childhood. Today, every third adult has certain signs of gastritis.

• Causes of gastritis
• Symptoms of gastritis
• Diagnosis and treatment of gastritis

Causes of gastritis

A feature of gastritis is the variety of its forms: acute gastritis with an abrupt onset and severe symptoms, as well as many forms of chronic gastritis (with low or high acidity, with mucosal atrophy, erosions or autoimmune, infectious, reflux).

The chronic form of gastritis usually occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to irritating factors on the walls of the stomach or untreated acute gastritis.

These factors include :

• eating irritating food (spicy, salty, very hot food, too dry food, sour food),
• drinking and smoking,
• consumption of carbonated drinks, foods with preservatives and dyes,
• certain medications (aspirin, diclofenac),
• constant stress,
• sedentary lifestyle,
• immunosuppression,
• hormonal shifts,
• exposure to allergens,
• exposure to microbes Helicobacter pylori,

The most common causes of acute gastritis are:

• poisoning or foodborne infections,
• exposure to chemicals, alcohol, alkalis, very spicy food.

Acute gastritis requires treatment most often in a hospital.

Symptoms of gastritis

Gastritis can be asymptomatic for a long time, but exacerbations occur when exposed to provoking factors. Common symptoms of gastritis include:

• feeling of heaviness in the stomach after eating a large meal,
• stomach pain on an empty stomach or after eating,
• presence of nausea or vomiting, eructations,
• a sharp decrease in appetite and weight loss.

The symptoms may appear all together or only some of them.

Manifestations of gastritis largely depend on its form, common in all forms of gastritis may be heaviness in the pit of the stomach, a feeling of fullness, nausea and weakness, the tongue is coated with a gray or white coating, there may be dry mouth or salivation.

General symptoms with gastritis – general weakness with dizziness, headaches, severe sweating and fever up to 37. 0-37.3 ° C, decreased pressure, increased heart rate, dry hair or nails, pallor, irritability.

With increased or normal acidity symptoms are added to stomach pain, heartburn or belching of sour, a feeling of severe heaviness after eating and constipation. With severe acidity at the height of pain or heartburn, there may be vomiting. Pain in this case occurs at night or on an empty stomach.

Reduced acidity is characterized by decreased appetite and an unpleasant taste in the mouth, morning sickness, belching of air, transfusion or sensation of rumbling in the abdomen, diarrhea alternating with constipation. With a long course of such gastritis, there may be anemia and weight loss, general weakness. Abdominal pain is usually aching and dull in nature.

Gastritis occurs with periods of exacerbation, when all the symptoms are especially acute and severe, and periods of remission, when there are practically no symptoms or they are very mild.

Diagnosis and treatment of gastritis in the TH-Clinic.

In establishing the diagnosis of gastritis, in addition to the typical symptoms, it is necessary to perform a gastroscopy, which you can do at the TN-Clinic. In order to accurately determine the type of gastritis, a highly qualified gastroenterologist, based on the described complaints, if necessary, will appoint a series of studies to identify the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (a pathogen that provokes the development of chronic gastritis), determine the acidity of gastric juice, biopsy, etc. All studies are carried out during the gastroscopy procedure .

Based on the results of the examination, the gastroenterologist will develop an individual treatment plan, which includes drug therapy and a special diet. Drug treatment is prescribed taking into account all factors: acidity, the presence of Helicobacter pylori, the severity of pain, etc. A special diet is developed by a professional dietitian. When compiling a nutrition program, a nutritionist takes into account the data of analyzes, examinations, individual characteristics of the body, the course of the disease, possible comorbidities and other factors. In the future, following a properly composed diet will help to avoid relapses of gastritis, normalize digestion and eliminate painful symptoms.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

01

How is the diagnosis of gastritis confirmed or excluded?

During gastroscopy, material (biopsy) is taken for histological examination. Based on the results of this study, the diagnosis is confirmed or not – “Gastritis”. This is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.

02

What is the treatment for gastritis?

Everything depends on the form of gastritis. Treatment may be medication or non-medication. For someone, a diet, physiotherapy treatment or special gymnastics will be enough. Some will need to take medication. Treatment can be prescribed by a doctor after a study (gastroscopy).

03

Is it possible to do gastroscopy during pregnancy and lactation?

Yes, you can.

04

Is it possible to undergo gastroscopy during menstruation?

Yes, you can. Menstruation is not a contraindication for gastroscopy.

05

How safe is gastroscopy?

Gastroscopy is safe. After it there are no complications.

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