Gastritis Facts: Common Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, And How To Relieve It

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Gastritis is a common condition in which the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed. It can be either acute (develops suddenly and lasts for a short time) or chronic (is long-lasting, without proper treatment can even become permanent). It can also be erosive (in which erosions and ulcers develop) and non-erosive (the lining of the stomach is inflamed, but erosion or ulcers doesn’t appear).

There are many possible causes of gastritis, and timely and proper treatment of the underlying cause reduces your risk of complications.

So here’s what causes the condition:

- Helicobacter pylori – the most common cause of gastritis, and other bacterial infections;

- prolonged and/or excessive use of NSAIDs;

- substance abuse, such as drinking too much alcohol and using cocaine;

- severe physical stress brought on by trauma, illness, or surgery;

- bile reflux;

- an autoimmune reaction.

Other causes include GI diseases (e.g. Crohn’s disease), viral and parasitic infections. Smoking can also contribute to the development of gastritis.

In some cases, people who have gastritis don’t have any symptoms. In other cases, gastritis may manifest in the following symptoms:

- pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen;


- nausea and vomiting;

- indigestion;

- feeling bloated, especially after eating;

- black, tarry stools;

- blood or material that looks like coffee grounds in the vomit.

Erosive gastritis leads to bleeding in the stomach, which is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical help if you have the following symptoms:

- shortness of breath;

- feeling dizzy;

- vomiting red blood;

- black, tarry stools;

- weakness;

- pallor.


To diagnose gastritis, your doctor will perform a physical exam, review your medical history, and probably order tests, such as upper GI endoscopy, blood test, and stool test.

Treatment of gastritis depends on the underlying cause. If your gastritis is caused by Helicobacter pylori, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Other medications that are usually prescribed to treat gastritis include the following:

- antacids;

- histamine 2 (H2) blockers;

- proton pump inhibitors.

There are some measures you can take to relieve gastritis:

- eat smaller meals but more frequently;

- avoid spicy, acidic, and fried foods because they aggravate gastritis;

- refrain from drinking alcohol;

- reduce your levels of stress – it can also make your gastritis worse.

If your gastritis is caused by NSAIDs that you take, talk to your doctor about changing the dosage or taking a different medication.

It’s unclear how Helicobacter pylori infection spreads, but health care professionals recommend to do the following to prevent it:

- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating;

- eat only thoroughly cooked and thoroughly washed foods;

- drink water only from clean, safe sources.