Gastritis

Gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach lining, often requires treatment even if symptoms are mild. The gastroenterologists at Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic provide evidence-based care to relieve gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and protect your digestive tract.

What is gastritis?

Gastritis occurs when the mucus membrane lining of your stomach becomes damaged or inflamed. This lining normally protects your stomach wall from digestive acids and enzymes. When it’s damaged, it can’t protect your stomach, which can lead to pain and digestive upset.

Causes of gastritis

The most common causes of gastritis include:

• Autoimmune response (your immune system attacks your stomach lining)
• Heavy alcohol use
• Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, which causes stomach ulcers
• Infection with other bacteria, fungi or viruses
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen (if used over a long period)
• Severe injuries or major surgery

Gastritis symptoms

Many people with gastritis do not have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may experience:

• Feeling full sooner than usual while eating or feeling too full after a typical-size meal
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Upper abdominal pain
• Weight loss

Severe gastritis can cause bleeding in your stomach, which requires immediate medical care. Signs of stomach bleeding include:

• Black or tarry-looking stool
• Dark red or maroon-colored blood in your stool
• Severe cramps or abdominal pain
• Vomit that is red or looks like coffee grounds

Gastritis types

Types of gastritis include:

• Acute gastritis, which comes on quickly and lasts for a short period
• Chronic gastritis, which develops slowly and may last for months or years
• Erosive gastritis, which causes erosion (damage) to your stomach lining
• Nonerosive gastritis, which doesn’t cause erosion of your stomach lining
• Reactive gastritis, which results from long-term exposure to irritating substances like alcohol or NSAIDs

Gastritis diagnosis

Doctors usually diagnose gastritis using a combination of tests, including:

• Blood tests, which provide information about your overall health and may show signs of health issues like infections
• Endoscopy, where doctors guide a thin, lighted tube with a camera into your throat and stomach
• Stool tests, which may show signs of blood or H. pylori infection
• Urea breath test, which can detect the presence of H. pylori in your stomach

Gastritis risk factors

You have a higher risk of developing gastritis if you:

• Are over age 65
• Drink large amounts of alcohol
• Have H. pylori infection
• Previously received chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Smoke or use other tobacco products
• Take NSAIDs for long periods

Certain health conditions may also raise your risk for gastritis, including:

• Autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease and Type 1 diabetes
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Gastritis prevention

You can reduce your risk of developing gastritis by:

• Avoiding alcohol or consuming only a moderate amount (one drink per day for females, two drinks per day for males)
• Not smoking, or quitting smoking if you do
• Taking NSAIDs for only short periods or as directed by your doctor