Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach is inflamed due to excessive use of alcohol, chronic stress, use of anti-inflammatory or any other cause that affects the functioning of the stomach. Depending on the cause, the symptoms may suddenly appear or worsen over time.
So if you think you may have gastritis, select what you are feeling to know what your risk is:
- 1. Constant, stabbing stomach pain Yes No
- 2. Feeling sick or very full stomach Yes No
- 3. Belly swollen and sore Yes No
- 4. Slow digestion and burping Yes No
- 5. Headache and general malaise Yes No
- 6. Loss of appetite, vomiting or craving for vomiting Yes No
These symptoms can remain even when taking antacids like Sonrisal or Gaviscon, for example, and therefore should always be evaluated by a gastroenterologist.
The symptoms of gastritis may be mild and arise when eating something spicy, greasy or after consuming alcoholic beverages, while the symptoms of nervous gastritis arise whenever the individual is anxious or stressed. See other symptoms: Nerve gastritis symptoms.
How to confirm if it is gastritis
Although the diagnosis of gastritis can be made based on the symptoms that the person presents, the gastroenterologist may request an examination called digestive endoscopy, which serves to visualize the inner walls of the stomach and if the bacterium H. pylori is present.
Although 80% of the world population has this bacterium present in the stomach, the people who suffer the most with gastritis also have it and its elimination helps in the treatment and relief of the symptoms. See also the difference for ulcer symptoms in the stomach.
What causes gastritis
There are several factors that can lead to the development of an inflammation in the lining of the stomach wall. The most common include:
- H. pylori infection: It is a type of bacterium that attaches itself to the stomach, causing inflammation and destruction of the lining of the stomach. See other symptoms of this infection and how to treat it;
- Frequent use of anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen: this type of remedies reduce a substance that helps protect the walls from the irritating effect of the gastric acid stomach;
- Excessive consumption of alcohol: alcohol causes irritation of the stomach wall and also leaves the stomach unprotected from the action of gastric juices;
- High levels of stress: Stress alters gastric functioning, facilitating inflammation of the stomach wall.
In addition, people with autoimmune diseases, such as AIDS, also have a higher risk of having gastritis.
Although it is easy to treat, when treatment is not done properly, gastritis can result in complications like ulcers or gastric bleeding. Understand how the gastritis treatment is done.
Also see what care you should take to treat and relieve gastritis:
