What is Gastritis?

Gastritis is a common disorder of the Digestive system that is characterized by the inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

Gastritis may occur in acute, chronic, and toxic forms.

Gastritis may be caused due to the excessive consumption of alcohol or due to prolonged usage of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like Aspirin or Ibuprofen.

Types of Gastritis:

1. Acute Gastritis
2. Toxic Gastritis
3. Chronic Gastritis

1. Acute Gastritis :

Acute Gastritis will result in severe pain and it will be cured only when proper treatment is taken.

Causes of Acute Gastritis:

Acute Gastritis is caused due to the following factors:

• Food Poisoning
• Bacterial Infections
• Viral Infections
• Consumption of heavy foods or rich foods
• Uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Prolonged usage of Aspirin or Ibuprofen

Symptoms of Acute Gastritis:

Acute Gastritis is characterized by the following symptoms

• The first symptom of acute gastritis is typically sharp stomach cramps.
• The feeling of bloating in the stomach
• Loss of Appetite
• Nausea
• Headache

The vomiting, if occurs results in making the patient temporarily weak as it gets rid of the substance causing the attack of acute gastritis.

If painful cramps are felt accompanied by fever, it may be due to a bacterial infection and a doctor should be consulted.

After the attack of acute gastritis, the patients are advised to take a bland diet of simple, easily digested foods in small quantities at regular intervals. This bland diet should be continued for a few days to get relief from the attack of acute gastritis.

 2. Toxic Gastritis:

Toxic gastritis may occur due to food poisoning.

Toxic gastritis may result due to the swallowing of a poisonous substance, causing vomiting and the person may possibly collapse immediately.

Toxic gastritis is an emergency condition and requires the immediate attention of the doctor and first aid.

3. Chronic Gastritis:

Chronic gastritis is a recurrent or persisting inflammation of the lining of the stomach for a long time.

Symptoms of Chronic gastritis:

• Indigestion of the food
• Pain after eating food

Causes of Chronic gastritis:

• Uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Constant anxiety and tension
• Deficiency in the diet or malnutrition

Treatment of Chronic gastritis:

The most effective way of treating chronic gastritis is to have a bland diet. The diet should be free from caffeine and alcohol.

Heavy meals should be avoided and food has to be taken in small amounts at regular intervals.

If the person is having tension, the doctor may prescribe a mild sedative or a tranquilizer for relieving the tension and anxiety.

If the discomfort continues, it may be due to the possibility of an ulcer, and the physician may be consulted.

  digestive disorders, Gastritis