Gastritis

What are the symptoms of gastritis?

Some people with gastritis don’t have any symptoms. As it wears down the stomach lining, it’s possible to experience:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite

It’s normal for people to experience some indigestion periodically, but if you have gastritis symptoms that don’t go away, it’s a good idea to seek care. Many gastrointestinal conditions share similar symptoms, and a healthcare provider can help to accurately diagnose what’s causing your symptoms and treat it before it becomes worse.

It’s also important to seek medical attention immediately if you are vomiting blood or have bloody stools.

What causes gastritis?

Inflammation from gastritis occurs when your immune system responds to a perceived threat in your stomach lining. There are many gastritis causes, including:

• Bacterial infections, such as Helicobacter pylori infection (H. pylori)

• Viral infections

• Smoking

• Excessive alcohol use

• Regular use of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Autoimmune disorders

• Extreme stress, often linked to a major surgery or severe illness

• Cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy

What are the types of gastritis?

Gastritis is classified as acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Your provider may also name it more specifically based on the cause of the inflammation, such as infectious gastritis, alcohol or stress-induced gastritis, or autoimmune gastritis, among others.

It is also categorized as erosive or nonerosive.

• Erosive gastritis means that your stomach lining is wearing away as a result of acid, alcohol, bile, or drugs. For example, chemicals from alcohol can erode the stomach lining, leaving stomach ulcers in patients with alcohol gastritis.
• Nonerosive gastritis is typically caused by H. pylori, a common bacteria that infects and attacks the stomach lining. It’s passed from person to person through saliva, stool, or vomit. 

How is gastritis diagnosed?

To diagnose gastritis, your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, overall health, and symptoms. They may use several different tests to further evaluate your condition. Most commonly, these tests include:

• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), an endoscopic procedure that uses a small camera inserted in the nose or mouth to examine and biopsy the stomach, if needed.
• Imaging exams, such as an upper GI series, which uses X-rays to visualize your stomach
• Stool samples, which can confirm if you have a certain bacteria, or bloody stool, a sign of bleeding in the stomach
• Breath tests, which can be analyzed for H. pylori infection
• Blood tests, including checking for anemia

How is gastritis treated?

Treatment for gastritis is based on the underlying cause of the stomach inflammation, as well as your overall health, family history, preferences, and symptom severity. For example, if excessive use of certain pain relievers causes gastritis, your healthcare provider may recommend that you stop taking them. Likewise, if alcohol or smoking is the cause, then avoiding alcohol or smoking may relieve your symptoms and allow the stomach lining to heal.

Other treatment options may include antacids and medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). If you have an H. pylori infection, your doctor will likely prescribe one or more antibiotics in combination with a PPI medication, which decreases the amount of acid in the stomach lining.