What is chronic gastritis?
Chronic gastritis concerns long -term or recurrent stomach inflammation episodes. Turning mucus that surrounds the interior of the stomach can be inflamed due to infection, injury, overuse of anti -inflammatory drugs or chronic health. Many cases of chronic gastritis are undiagnosed and not treated because they do not cause the main symptoms. If symptoms are present, they usually include loss of appetite, dull pain and seizures of nausea. Most cases can be mitigated by focusing on removal of the basic cause.
The stomach lining is a soft but hard tissue structure. It extends and provides space for food and prevents leakage from stomach acid. However, if the lining is damaged, acids can penetrate the walls and cause chronic irritation and inflammation. The most common cause of chronic gastritis is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which is located around the world. H. pylori is usually harmless, but this may lead to a large stomach infection in people with a weakeby an immune system.
Excessive use of over -the -counter anti -inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also damage the lining of the stomach and increase the chances of developing chronic gastritis. Taking medicines daily at or above the recommended dose can irritate the lining to the extent that it breaks and allows acid to escape. High levels of stress, alcohol abuse, aging and autoimmune disorders such as malignant anemia may also increase the likelihood of gastritis complications.
Some people with chronic gastritis do not experience symptoms in the first stages of the disease, if at all. Common symptoms include constant, matte pain in the upper abdomen and food problems more than a very small part of food. The weight loss is common as appetite. Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and digestive problems may occur as a disease. Left untreated chronic gastritis can lead to painiva stomach ulcers and bloody vomiting.
The physician may usually diagnose chronic gastritis by examining symptoms and checking blood and stool samples for H. pylori. If the bacteria is not found, the doctor may decide to view the lining of the stomach with an endoscopic camera or X -ray to seek signs of great damage. Tissue biopsy can be performed to determine the severity of damage and exclusion of other problems such as stomach cancer.
treatment of chronic gastritis depends on the basic problem. Bacterial infections are usually cleaned in two to four weeks with oral antibiotics. Autoimmune disorders are usually treated with prescription drugs. Patients are instructed to avoid excessive use of anti -inflammatory drugs, alcohol and coffee to reduce the chances of further damage. In addition, practicing techniques for stress relief, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet can help maintain gastritis from the return.