#gastritis - causes, symptoms, prevention & treatment.

Burning, pain and nausea are the complaints of 15-30% of patients seeking a gastroenterologist. These symptoms are characteristic of gastritis, a chronic or acute inflammation of the inner walls of the stomach. 

The bacteria Helicobacter pylori is known as the main cause of gastritis. It is estimated that 80% of Brazilians are infected by this bacteria and that 5 to 15% of these individuals manifest the disease. The relationship between H. pylori and gastritis is not understood, but it is believed that the it weakens the gastric mucosa; gastric juice will then hurt the stomach walls. 

The prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin) and the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages are also factors that sensitize the stomach mucosa, as well as stress, smoking and inappropriate diet. 

Diagnosis 

The symptoms of gastritis are similar to reflux, indigestion and even cancer. So, ideally, before taking a medicine on your own, better visit a doctor who will ask an endoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. 

Untreated or inadequately treated gastritis may become an ulcer, a deep wound in the gastric mucosa. Symptoms of gastric ulcer are fast weight loss, vomiting or bloody stools, fever, yellowing of the eyes, anemia and palpable of lymph nodes in regions such as the neck and groin. 

The treatment of gastritis consists on preventive drugs to reduce the acidity in the stomach and, in the presence of H. pylori, antibiotics. 

Prevention and treatment 

1. Chewing help reduce food particles, facilitating the digestive process. When the person does not chew properly, the body needs to secrete more gastric juice to digest the food, which favors gastritis.  
2. Coffee exerts an irritating action if the stomach is inflamed. The recommendation is to consume less and to change very concentrated coffees, such as espresso, into weaker or decaffeinated versions. 
3. Alcohol directly attacks the gastric mucosa, leaving the stomach less protected against the acidic effects of the gastric juice. Heavy consumption combined with habits like poor diet can aggravate gastritis and lead to an ulcer. 
4. Slow digestion of foods such as fats stimulates the production of more gastric juice, which can aggravate gastritis. 
5. Gastric juice is constantly secreted by the stomach. Therefore, in an empty stomach the juice will directly attack the lining of the organ, causing pain. Eating at each three hours helps to keep the stomach protected. 
6. Stress and anxiety can cause acute gastritis. So having relaxing habits and physical activity can help on gastritis control.
7. Smoking stimulates acid production in the stomach; it will hurt the gastric mucosal barrier.
8. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, diclofenac and ibuprofen, can act both on reducing mucus protection and increasing the stomach fluids. The uncontrolled use of these drugs can cause gastritis.