Font Size

Gastritis

Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Slideshow

Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow

Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) Slideshow

Featured gastritis patient discussions on experience with condition

"I was diagnosed with H pylori 5 years ago and it was treated successfully with antibiotics, but it has come back again and I am taking anti B's again. The first time it gave me a duodenal ulcer, this time I have gastritis because I am told it has developed lower down in the stomach. My symptoms are abdominal pain which moves around, but the predominant symptoms are a burning and acute gnawing feeling in the stomach, nausea and loss of appetite. I have an idea that stress could be a trigger for H Pylori because it has emerged both times after I have been under considerable stress. I am told that an Alkaline diet is the best way to combat the bacteria - in other words don't give it the food it likes and thrives on. I am seriously reviewing my diet at the moment. A list of Alkaline and Acid foods can be found on the net. It has been a very useful guide for me and I am hoping it will help in the battle to eradicate this horrible disease and will hopefully prevent it developing into cancer."

Read All Comments on Gastritis »

Top Searched Gastritis Terms:

diet, symptoms, chronic, acute, hemorrhagic, causes

Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment.
See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

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), sometimes 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 aspirin.
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. Up to 10% of people who come to a hospital emergency department with abdominal pain have gastritis.

Gastritis Causes

Gastritis is associated with various medications, medical and surgical conditions, physical stresses, social habits, chemicals, and infections. Some of the more common causes of gastritis are listed here.

Medications

Aspirin (more than 300 drug products contain some form of aspirin)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen)
Steroids (prednisone is one example)
Potassium supplements
Iron tablets
Cancer chemotherapy medications

Swallowing poisons or objects

Corrosives (acid or lye)
Alcohols of various types
Swallowed foreign bodies (paper clips or pins)

Medical and surgical conditions

Physical stress in people who are critically ill or injured
After medical procedures (such as endoscopy, in which a specialist looks into the stomach with a small lighted tube)
After an operation to remove part of the stomach
After radiation treatment for cancer
Autoimmune diseases
Pernicious anemia
Chronic vomiting

Infections

Tuberculosis
Syphilis
Bacterial infections: H pylori infection is the most common. Many other bacteria-even those that usually cause pneumonia or bladder infections-can cause gastritis.
Viral infections
Fungal (yeast) infections
Parasites and worms