GASTRITIS

General Infomation
Definition: 

Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of your stomach. It develops when stomach's protective mucus layer becomes damaged and stomach digestive acids come into direct contact with the exposed part of the stomach.

Causes of Gastritis.

Swallowing of poison or eating too much acidic or spicy foods.

Bacterial infection by Helicobacter pylori may break down the stomach's inner protective coating, causing changes in the stomach's lining.

Regular use of pain relievers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve), can cause both acute gastritis and chronic gastritis.

Excessive alcohol use. Alcohol can irritate and erode your stomach lining, which makes your stomach more vulnerable to digestive juices. Excessive alcohol use is more likely to cause acute gastritis.

Stress. Severe stress due to major surgery, traumatic injury, burns or severe infections can cause acute gastritis.

Bile reflux disease. Too much Bile fluid being released in your small intestine due to weak sphincter muscle (pyloric valve)which regulates bile from flowing into your stomach.

Auto Immune Disease. Your own body attacking cells in your stomach. Called autoimmune gastritis, this rare condition occurs when your body attacks the cells that make up your stomach lining.

Other diseases and conditions. Gastritis may be associated with other medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, parasitic infections, some connective tissue disorders, and liver or kidney failure.

Symptoms: 

Signs and symptoms of gastritis:

• A severe burning pain in your abdomen aggravated by foods.
• Nausea
• Vomiting after meals
• Loss of appetite
• Belching or bloating
• A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating

Acute gastritis occurs suddenly and causes nausea and burning pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen.

Chronic gastritis develops slowly and causes a dull pain and a feeling of fullness or loss of appetite after a few bites of food. In majority of people, though, chronic gastritis causes no signs or symptoms at all.

Occasionally, gastritis may cause stomach bleeding, although it's rarely severe. But be aware that bleeding in your stomach that causes you to vomit blood or pass black, tarry stools requires immediate medical care.

If you are vomiting blood or have blood in your stools, see your doctor immediately.

Causes & Complication
Complications: 

Untreated gastritis may lead to
- stomach ulcers.
- stomach bleeding.
- stomach cancer.
- Death

Tests
Tests and Diagnosis: 

A doctor may detect the cause of your gastritis after consultation but it is always advisable to do tests to pinpoint the exact cause of gastritis.
Doctor may advice you to do these tests.

Blood tests. Your doctor may order a blood test to check for the presence of H. pylori antibodies. Blood tests can also check for anemia, which may result from stomach bleeding associated with gastritis.
Breath test. This simple test can help determine whether you're currently infected with H. pylori bacteria.
Stool tests. This test checks for H. pylori in a sample of your stool. Your doctor may also test for the presence of blood in your stool, a sign of stomach bleeding that can accompany gastritis.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This procedure allows your doctor to see abnormalities in your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract that may not be visible on X-rays.
Upper gastrointestinal X-ray.

Medication & Prevention
Treatments and Drugs: 

Treatment of gastritis depends on the specific cause.

- Acute gastritis caused by NSAIDs or alcohol may be relieved by stopping use of those substances.

- Chronic gastritis caused by H. pylori infection is treated by eradicating the bacteria.
- Medications to treat stomach acid
- Medications to treat H. pylori
- Pain relieve medications.
- Medications to treat sphincter muscle

Doctors use several regimens to treat H. Pylori infection. Most use a combination of two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor. Sometimes bismuth (Pepto-Bismol) is added to the mix. The antibiotics help destroy the bacteria, and the proton pump inhibitor relieves pain and nausea, heals inflammation and may increase the antibiotics' effectiveness.

- To ensure that H. pylori has been eliminated, your doctor may test you again after treatment.

Alternative Medicine: 

At Neem Foundation, we treat gastritis by use of natural herbs which have been well researched in our laboratories.

If one has Helicobacter Pylori, we give mastic gum or Matula herbs Formula.

We also give stomach acid control herbs that neutralize excessive acid such as activated charcoal.

For those in pain, we administer natural herbal pain killers.

Sphincter muscles repair. In case of sphincter muscles damage, we give medicines to repair it.

For Treatment, Contact our Specialist via this phone Number. +254720760419

Prevention: 

Although you can't always prevent H. pylori infection, these suggestions can help reduce your risk of gastritis:
Eat smart. Avoid too much spicy, acidic, fried or fatty foods.
Limit or avoid alcohol. Excessive use of alcohol can irritate and erode the mucous lining of your stomach, causing inflammation and bleeding.
Stop Smoking. Smoking increases stomach acid, delays stomach healing and is a leading risk factor for stomach cancer.
Switch pain relievers. If possible, avoid taking NSAIDs — aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. These over-the-counter medications can cause stomach inflammation or make existing irritation worse. Instead, switch to pain relievers containing acetaminophen.
Follow your doctor's recommendations. Your doctor may recommend that you take an over-the-counter antacid or acid blocker to help prevent recurring gastritis.

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By Anonymous on 25 April 2011

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