Gastritis
Gastritis is a digestive disorder in which the stomach lining becomes inflamed (red). This can be caused by a number of things. One example is a bacterial infection, which often does not actually lead to any symptoms. In other people, gastritis may result in feeling too full after eating, nausea or vomiting, indigestion and a burning sensation in the stomach.
Overview | Causes | Diagnosis | Treatment | Video FAQs
In rare cases, gastritis can cause severe abdominal pain, gastric bleeding (shown by vomiting up blood or having blood in your faeces, making it appear black), and ulcers, growths or tumours in the stomach. These symptoms can occur after areas of the stomach lining have worn away, leading to tissue damage from stomach acid.
Causes
In rare cases, the body’s own immune system can malfunction and attack the stomach lining, leading to gastritis.
The disorder may cause sudden, severe pain or discomfort that lasts for a long time. You should seek medical advice if you have indigestion that doesn’t go away after at least a week, if the pain is severe, or if it’s accompanied by the signs of gastric bleeding mentioned above.
There are various causes of chronic gastritis, including bacterial infection from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), regularly using aspirin or ibuprofen (NSAID painkillers), smoking, using excessive amounts of alcohol; or as a consequence of stress, major surgery, a serious illness or injury.
Diagnosis
A gastroenterologist (digestive health specialist) will test for chronic gastritis using tests such as a stool sample (to identify blood in your faeces or the presence of H. pylori bacteria), a breath test (which is another way to check for H. pylori), a barium swallow (where you swallow a solution of barium, which shows up on x-rays as it moves from your oesophagus and into the stomach) or an endoscopy (involving a narrow tube containing a light and a camera, which we use to see inside the oesophagus and stomach).
Treatment
If you are diagnosed with chronic gastritis, its symptoms can be eased with lifestyle changes: relaxation techniques, avoiding NSAID painkillers and alcohol, not smoking, eating smaller portions more frequently instead of a big meal, and cutting down on known irritants in your diet such as fried, spicy or acidic foods. Also, acid-reducing medications can help.
Book an appointment
You may have gastritis if you experience nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, and a full feeling. Our specialist will perform a series of tests to confirm your diagnosis and teach you how to manage your condition.
Contact us to book a private consultation with one of our trusted experts.
Treatments / Symptom Management
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) medications
Antibiotics if you have H Pylori infection
Other acid reducing medications