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June 19, 2013
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Gastritis

Medical Author:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Editor:
Bhupinder Anand, MD

Gastritis Overview

Gastritis, an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach, is not a single disease. Rather, gastritis is a condition that has many causes. Common to all people with gastritis is pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly (abdomen), also called dyspepsia.

Gastritis can be a brief and sudden illness (acute gastritis), a longer-lasting condition (chronic gastritis), or a special condition, perhaps as part of another medical illness.

  • An example of acute gastritis is stomach upset that may follow the use of alcohol or certain medications such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach. Infection with this bacteria may lead to chronic gastritis.

Gastritis is a common medical problem, with up to10% of people who come to a hospital emergency department with the complaint of abdominal pain being ultimately diagnosed with gastritis.

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Gastritis - Describe Your Experience

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Gastritis - Treatments

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Gastritis Symptoms

In people who have gastritis symptoms, pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen is the most common.

  • The pain is usually in the upper central portion of the abdomen (the "pit" of the stomach).
  • Gastritis pain occurs in the left upper portion of the abdomen and in the back. The pain seems to "go right straight through" a person as it travels from the belly to the back.
  • People often use the terms burning, aching, gnawing, or sore to describe the pain. Usually, a vague sense of discomfort is present, but the pain may be sharp, stabbing, or cutting.

Other symptoms of gastritis include the following:

  • Belching
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Feeling of fullness or burning in the upper part of the belly

In more severe gastritis, bleeding may occur inside the stomach.

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Gastritis, Acute »

Acute gastritis is a term covering a broad spectrum of entities that induce inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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