Is your stomach inflamed? Let's learn everything about gastritis in a simple way!

Do you often get heartburn or upset stomach? Or do you feel full after eating? These may be symptoms of a more common problem than you think. Today we are going to talk about a disease that many people suffer from, but are not exactly aware of. That is gastritis. Don't worry, we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.

What is gastritis? Simply put...

Imagine, our stomach is like a bag that digests food. The inner wall of this stomach is covered with a very thin membrane (mucosa). Just like the thin skin inside our mouth. The main function of this membrane is to protect the stomach wall from the harsh acids produced in the stomach, enzymes, and germs that enter with the food we eat.

Gastritis is when this protective lining becomes inflamed. Inflammation is a condition that causes swelling and redness. Our body's immune system causes this inflammation. That is, when it senses that there is a threat or damage to the stomach wall, the immune system goes into action. Inflammation occurs as a result of this fight. This is actually a protective process that the body does itself.

What are the main types of gastritis?

Gastritis can be divided into two main types. It is also classified according to the damage to the stomach wall.

1. Acute Gastritis and Chronic Gastritis

• Acute Gastritis: This is the type that comes on suddenly and gets better after a while. It's like a sudden stomach ache. The causes of this are often temporary.
• Chronic Gastritis: This is a condition that can last for a long time. However, you may have it even if you don't have any major symptoms. It develops gradually over time. It often occurs with other chronic conditions.

2. Erosive Gastritis and Nonerosive Gastritis

• Erosive Gastritis: In this case, the cause of gastritis (for example, harsh medications, alcohol, strong acids) eats away at the stomach lining. Just like a burn on the skin, it causes sores. This can cause sores, or ulcers, in the stomach lining.
• Nonerosive Gastritis: In this, there are no major lesions on the stomach wall. However, the wall may become red, swollen, and may cause minor discomfort. A special case of this is called atrophic gastritis . In this case, the protective layer of the stomach wall becomes thin and dries out. This can cause digestive problems.

Think about it, just like when you drink a strong drink, your mouth gets inflamed, the same can happen to your stomach. That's a simple example of `Erosive Gastritis`.

Gastritis is also known by different names depending on its cause. Here are a few examples:

• Infectious gastritis
• Drug-induced gastritis
• Alcohol-induced gastritis
• Stress-induced gastritis
• Autoimmune gastritis
• Eosinophilic gastritis

Is gastritis a common disease?

Yes, it's more common than you think. Especially acute gastritis. It's often caused by things like temporary infections, alcohol use, and some painkillers (NSAIDs). Chronic gastritis is less common, but millions of people worldwide have chronic gastritis, which is caused by a bacterial infection called H. pylori .

What are the symptoms of gastritis? How do you recognize it?

The best part is that sometimes gastritis can go unnoticed. However, if symptoms do appear, the condition may be a little severe or have been present for a long time.

Symptoms occur when the stomach lining becomes weak and begins to be damaged by stomach acid and enzymes. This acid can cause stomach irritation, upset stomach, and ulcers, which can bleed.

Common symptoms that can be seen are:

• Loss of appetite , or feeling full even after eating a little.
• Stomach pain and bloating (feeling like you're full of gas).
• Nausea and/or vomiting.

If you have a stomach ulcer that is bleeding, you may also see symptoms like:

• Black stools (called `melena`) that look like tar.
• Vomiting black, coffee-ground-like vomit (this is called `coffee ground emesis`).

Where is gastritis pain felt?

Gastritis pain is felt in the upper, middle part of your stomach (doctors call this the `epigastric region`). With normal inflammation, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly where it hurts. However, if you have a stomach ulcer, you may be able to feel the pain more precisely. It may feel like a burning or stabbing pain. Sometimes, the pain may be relieved by eating.

What are the causes of gastritis?

We've said before that gastritis is a response from our immune system to a threat to the stomach. So, this threat can come for a variety of reasons.

1. Infections

This is the main cause of gastritis, especially acute gastritis.

• Bacterial infections: The most common of these is the bacterium H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) . This can cause chronic gastritis.
• Viral infections: Some viruses that cause stomach flu can also cause temporary gastritis.
• Rarely, gastritis can also be caused by parasites and fungal infections.

2. Chemicals

• Alcohol: Excessive and frequent alcohol consumption can damage the stomach lining and cause gastritis.
• Certain medications: Continuous use of painkillers, especially `NSAIDs` (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen) increases the risk of developing acute gastritis.
• Some drugs, such as cocaine, can also be a cause.

3. Autoimmune diseases

What happens in this case is that our body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the cells of the stomach, causing chronic inflammation and gastritis.

4. Reduced blood supply to the stomach

During times of severe physiological stress, such as major surgery, a serious accident, or other serious illness, the body diverts blood to the major organs and reduces the amount of blood going to the digestive system. This weakens the defenses of the stomach wall, which can lead to gastritis.

5. Other reasons

• Radiation therapy (also called mucositis).
• Anti-cancer treatment `(Chemotherapy)`.
• Bile produced in the gallbladder flows back into the stomach (bile reflux).

What are the complications that can occur due to gastritis?

Most of the time, gastritis is a temporary, non-serious condition. However, if left untreated and untreated, it can damage the stomach lining and lead to various complications.

Complications of Erosive Gastritis and Ulcers:

• Peptic ulcer disease: Gastritis can cause stomach ulcers.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding: These ulcers bleed, and over time , anemia can occur.
• Scar tissue: When ulcers develop repeatedly, scar tissue can form at those sites. This scarring can block the lower opening of the stomach (the pylorus) where food enters the small intestine. This is called gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) .
• Gastrointestinal perforation: A non-healing ulcer can cause a hole in the stomach wall. This can allow bacteria from the stomach to enter the abdominal cavity, causing a dangerous infection called peritonitis . This can lead to septicemia (blood poisoning) and sepsis (a life-threatening infection).

Complications due to Nonerosive Gastritis, Atrophy and Metaplasia:

Complications from this type of gastritis come on slowly. But when it has been present for years,

• The protective lining of the stomach can become thin and disappear (atrophy). This reduces the function of the stomach.
• The body may not be able to absorb certain nutrients (e.g. iron, folic acid, vitamin B12). Reduced absorption of vitamin B12 can lead to a condition called `pernicious anemia` .
• Very rarely, long-term gastritis can cause the cells in the stomach wall to change and look like a different type of tissue. This is called `gastric intestinal metaplasia` . Doctors consider this a `precancerous condition` that can lead to cancer . This means that the risk of developing stomach cancer may increase.

How do you accurately diagnose gastritis?

A doctor will first ask you about your symptoms and your health history. The doctor may suspect gastritis, but they will need to do tests to confirm for sure.

• An X-ray test, such as an ``upper GI series,'' may be done. While this can show things like ulcers and scratches in the stomach wall, it doesn't always show gastritis exactly.
• To confirm gastritis, you need to look under a microscope. For this, an `upper endoscopy` is performed. In this, a thin tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth and the stomach is looked at. At the same time, a small piece of tissue (a `biopsy`) is taken from the stomach wall and sent to the laboratory. Even if the doctor thinks that you have gastritis during the endoscopy, the biopsy is the only way to confirm it.

In addition to this, other tests may be done to find the cause of gastritis or to check for complications:

• Blood tests
• Stool test
• H. pylori breath test

Does gastritis get better on its own?

• Acute gastritis often resolves on its own once the cause is removed. For example, if it is an infection, the inflammation will subside as the immune system fights it off. The stomach lining will heal after you stop taking alcohol or strong medications for a few days.
• Chronic gastritis does not get better on its own. The underlying chronic condition must be treated. Only then will the gastritis get better. The damage to the stomach lining caused by chronic gastritis may take some time to heal.

How to get quick relief from gastritis?

There are some over-the-counter (OTC) medications you can buy at the pharmacy to help reduce stomach inflammation and discomfort. For example , proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or Pepto Bismol® may provide temporary relief. However, even with these medications, it is important to see a doctor to determine the exact cause of your gastritis and treat it.

How to completely cure gastritis?

To completely cure chronic gastritis, medical advice is essential. Treatment depends on the cause of the gastritis.

It could be something like this:

• Antibiotics and other medications for H. pylori infection.
• If you are using medications like NSAIDs, switch to safer medications instead.
• If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs, seek rehabilitation services.
• Specific medications for autoimmune diseases.
• Very rarely, surgery may be performed for conditions such as stomach bleeding, reduced blood supply (ischemia), or bile reflux.
• To speed up the healing of the stomach lining, take acid-reducing medication prescribed by your doctor.

Is gastritis a contagious disease?

No, gastritis is not contagious. However, some infections that cause gastritis (such as the bacteria H. pylori) can be contagious. H. pylori is most often transmitted through contaminated water and food (fecal-to-oral route). Therefore, it is important to maintain good hygiene (such as washing hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before preparing food). These habits can go a long way in preventing gastritis.

What is the final word on this situation?

Most of the time, gastritis is a condition that gets better with treatment. Medication can help control the symptoms. For some people, making some lifestyle changes may be necessary to fully recover. This may include changing the way you manage other conditions, reducing or stopping your use of alcohol or tobacco, and preventing gastritis from recurring.

Rare cases of acute gastritis are nothing to worry about and can be treated at home. However, if it doesn't get better, or if you have persistent gastritis symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor. Persistent symptoms indicate that there is an underlying chronic condition that needs attention. Because stomach problems can have many causes, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.

The most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

• Gastritis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach. Don't worry, this is very common.
• There are two types: `Acute` which comes on suddenly and `Chronic` which lasts for a long time.
• The main causes may be the bacteria `H. pylori`, some painkillers (`NSAIDs`), alcohol, and stress.
• Symptoms may include stomach pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. Sometimes there may be no symptoms at all.
• If you have black stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, it's a serious sign. See a doctor right away.
• Most of the time, treatment can improve the condition. But for chronic gastritis, the cause must be treated.
• If you are experiencing frequent stomach upsets, it is wise to seek medical advice rather than self-medicate.

I hope you find this information useful. Stay healthy!

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