Gastritis Treatment

What is Gastritis?

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining (gastric mucosa).

What happens if Gastritis is left untreated?

Chronic gastritis can evolve to intestinal metaplasia, which is in turn a risk factor for gastric cancer.

What causes Gastritis?

• Helicobacter pylori
• Autoimmune diseases
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Reactive or Chemical causes
  • Alcohol
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Bile reflux

What are common symptoms of Gastritis?

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite

What tests are used to diagnose Gastritis?

The diagnosis of gastritis is formally established on biopsy samples from patients undergoing gastroscopy.

• Gastroscopy: A flexible video endoscope is inserted through the mouth into the stomach to check for inflammation in the digestive tract. A gastroenterologist can obtain biopsy samples from the esophagus, stomach and duodenum via the endoscope.
• In patient in whom gastroscopy is not performed, non-invasive investigations can be done to test for the presence of the H. pylori bacteria in the digestive tract.

What Medicine Is Prescribed for Gastritis?

Depending on the cause of gastritis, medicine may be prescribed:

• Antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin) to eradicate the H. pylori bacteria
• H2 blockers and proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) to reduce stomach acid production
• Antacids to neutralize stomach acid