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Gastritis (cont.)

Self-Care at Home

If you know what causes your gastritis, the simplest way to avoid the disease is to avoid the cause.

Aspirin and alcohol are 2 widely used substances that cause gastritis.
If you develop an upset stomach and nausea after drinking alcohol or using aspirin, then avoid these substances.

Sometimes you cannot avoid certain substances that cause gastritis.

Your health care provider may have a good reason to recommend aspirin, iron, potassium, or some other medication that causes gastritis.
If you develop minor gastritis symptoms, it may be wisest to continue the recommended medication and treat the gastritis symptoms.
Consult your health care provider before stopping any medication.

In the case of aspirin, coated aspirin may not cause the same symptoms.

This is because coated aspirin does not dissolve in the stomach.
Check the contents of any other over-the-counter medication you are taking because more than 300 medications contain aspirin in some form.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) also cause gastritis.

Your health care provider may recommend that these medications be taken with food or with antacids.
Doing this may lessen the chance of developing gastritis symptoms.

Switching from aspirin or NSAIDs to another pain reliever may help as well. Acetaminophen (Liquiprin, Tylenol, Panadol) is not known to cause gastritis.

Talk with your health care provider before simply switching to acetaminophen, however.
He or she may have recommended aspirin or an NSAID for a specific purpose.
Acetaminophen and aspirin are both pain relievers, but they are different medications.

If gastritis symptoms continue, antacids are sometimes recommended. Three main types of antacids are available. All 3 are about equal in effectiveness.

Magnesium-containing antacids may cause diarrhea. People with certain kidney problems should use these cautiously or not at all.
Aluminum-containing antacids can cause constipation.
Calcium-containing antacids have received a great deal of attention for their ability to control stomach acid and also supplement body calcium. Calcium supplementation is most important for postmenopausal women. Calcium-based antacids can also lead to constipation, however.
Antacids may also change your body's ability to absorb certain other medications.
If you require an antacid more than occasionally, let your health care provider decide which one is best for you.

Histamine (H2) blockers have received a lot of attention for stomach problems.

Some of these medications-cimetidine (Tagamet) and ranitidine (Zantac) are 2 examples-are available without a prescription.
Histamine blockers work by reducing acid secretion in the stomach.
This reduces gastritis pain and other symptoms.
If you need one of these medications regularly, you should consult your health care provider for a recommendation.

Stronger medications that protect the stomach's lining or lessen acid production in the stomach are available by prescription. Talk to your health care provider if the nonprescription medications do not work for you.