Diseases, endocrinologists. MRI
Site search

Reactive (chemical) gastritis: diagnosis, treatment, prevention. Gastritis symptoms Acute attack and exacerbation of chronic gastritis

The most common causes of chemical gastritis are bile reflux and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Morphological changes are stereotypical:

    foveal hyperplasia,

    edema,

    and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the lamina propria against a background of very mild inflammation.

Foveal hyperplasia defined as expansion of mucous cells. With reflux gastritis, it concerns exclusively the superficial epithelium and this differs from Helicobacter gastritis, in which hyperplasia of not only the superficial but also the pit epithelium develops.

"True" reflux gastritis develops in patients who have undergone gastric surgery. The term “alkaline gastritis” is used as a synonym for reflux gastritis. This term is not entirely accurate, since the main role in damage to the mucous membrane is played not by the alkaline properties of the intestinal contents, but by the characteristics of bile acids. In addition, a necessary condition for developed gastritis is the presence of HCL.

The morphological picture of reflux gastritis is quite characteristic, but this mainly applies to gastritis of the operated stomach.

In the presence of duodenogastric reflux, which is often visible during endoscopy, it is rarely observed. Apparently, this is related to the denial of the role of reflux in the etiology of chronic gastritis.

Reflux gastritis is different from “normal” gastritis not only more pronounced, but also a number of other features.

    Gastric ridges are high papillomatous,

    sometimes deformed with small thickenings and “adhesions”,

    sometimes having the appearance of villi, the pits can be | twisted, corkscrew-shaped.

    The most characteristic sign of reflux gastritis is sharply flattened basophilic epithelium, saturated with RNA and almost free of mucus. In appearance, it resembles the epithelium of the edges of ulcers.

As one would expect, duodenogastric reflux was significantly more common after vagotomy with gastroduodenoanastomosis than with duodenoplasty, and in almost all patients it was permanent.

Ménétrier's disease clinically manifested by protein loss and hypochlorhydria.

The main morphological feature is giant folds reminiscent of the convolutions of the brain. Histological examination reveals a mucous membrane sharply thickened due to elongation of the pits.

Based on formal characteristics, we can talk about hypertrophic gastritis.

R. Whitehead (1995), objecting to this designation, writes that with Ménétrier's disease, it is not hypertrophy, but hyperplasia that occurs. This contrast between hypertrophy and hyperplasia requires some clarification.

If we talk about the essence of the process that led to the thickening of the mucous membrane, then this is, of course, hyperplasia.

However, in relation to the mucous membrane itself, as a kind of organ structure, the term “hypertrophy” is quite legitimate.

Therefore, a macroscopically thickened mucous membrane can be called hypertrophied. At the same time, the presence of inflammatory infiltration obliges the pathologist to note, when examining biopsy or surgical material, the presence of gastritis and its features in accordance with the classification, adding: “against the background of Menetrier’s disease.”

In a number of patients, Menetrier's disease may undergo reverse development, including under the influence of treatment with antisecretory drugs.

In this case, in children, the normal mucous membrane is restored, and in adults, transformation into atrophic gastritis occurs.

Recently, evidence has emerged that cytomegalovirus infection may be the trigger for the disease, however, further research will be required to confirm this.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome characterized by two components: parietal cell hyperplasia and chronic “peptic” ulcer. Due to hyperplasia of parietal cells, thickening of the fundic mucosa occurs.

Stimulation of HCL secretion causes the development of chronic ulcers of the initial part of the duodenum or stomach in 90-95% of such patients. These ulcers do not heal for a long time and recur.

In addition, almost half of patients develop diarrhea due to the entry of large volumes of HCL into the duodenum.

Hypergastrinemia also causes hyperplasia of ECL cells in the fundus of the stomach.

Cystic polypous gastritis.

The term "cystic polypous gastritis" was proposed to refer to changes in the area of ​​gastroenteroanastomosis.

Depending on the location of the cysts, such gastritis can be:

    Superficial

    Deep.

    In superficial cases, cysts are located in the mucous membrane,

    with deep - in the submucosa.

The origin of the latter is associated with damage to the muscular plate of the mucous membrane and hemorrhages during the formation of an anastomosis and subsequent proliferation of glands. Displacement of the mucous membrane into the deeper layers of the wall of the gastroenteroanastomosis is also allowed.

Cysts in the gastric mucosa are common; they are found in 70% of stomachs resected for cancer and in 43% for peptic ulcers.

Their number averages 5.5 per stomach, ranging from 1 to 28.

In 1977, K. Elster et al. identified a special type of cyst, which they called " gastric gland cysts"They are clearly visible during gastroscopy.

X-ray examination cannot detect them. Macroscopically, such cysts look like single polyps, but much more often they are multiple, with a smooth surface and a wide base.

They are rare under the age of 30, but their frequency increases sharply after 40 years.

CLASSIFICATION.

FREQUENCY:

Type - A: 5%,

type - B:85%,

type - C: 10%. All patients with chronic gastritis

At age >50 years, 50% of people have chronic superficial gastritis type B.

A group of diseases of different origins with acute or chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Manifested by epigastric pain, dyspepsia, intoxication, asthenia. It is diagnosed using endoscopy, gastric X-ray, urease test, intragastric pH-metry, examination of gastric juice, and other laboratory and instrumental methods. For treatment, antibacterial, antisecretory, gastroprotective drugs, components of gastric juice are used in combination with drugs that affect individual links of pathogenesis. For some forms of the disease, surgical treatment is indicated.

ICD-10

K29 Gastritis and duodenitis

General information

Gastritis is one of the most common diseases of the digestive organs, accounting for up to 80% of stomach diseases. The incidence of the disorder increases with age. According to observations in the field of gastroenterology, up to 70-90% of elderly patients suffer from various types of pathology. In recent years, cases of diagnosis of gastritis in children have become more frequent, the role of the bacterial factor in the development of inflammation has increased - up to 90% of cases are associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The tendency towards a predominantly chronic course of the process remains; the prevalence of acute variants of the disease does not exceed 20%.

Causes of gastritis

Gastritis is a polyetiological disease that occurs when the stomach is exposed to various damaging factors. Its development is facilitated by pathological processes in which the local resistance of the mucous layer, the general reactivity of the body, and the regulation of the secretory and motor functions of the organ are disrupted. The main causes and prerequisites for gastritis are:

  • Infectious agents. In 90% of patients with chronic inflammation, Helicobacter is cultured. Acute gastritis can be caused by E. coli, staphylococci, streptococci, and other opportunistic microflora. Less commonly, the disease is of viral origin or develops against the background of syphilis, tuberculosis, candidiasis, and helminthic infestations.
  • Chemical influences. Most acute processes occur due to the entry of aggressive substances into the stomach. In case of poisoning with sublimate, acids, fibrinous inflammation is observed, with alkalis, salts of heavy metals - necrotic inflammation. When taking NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, a number of antibiotics, cardiac glycosides, cocaine, or alcohol abuse, erosive gastritis is possible.
  • Altered reactivity. Inflammation caused by the formation of antibodies to parietal cells and intrinsic Castle factor is observed in Addison-Biermer disease. Less commonly, the disease is associated with autoimmune thyroiditis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I. Hyperreactivity caused by sensitization of the body causes allergic gastritis.
  • Other diseases of the digestive organs. The gastric mucosa becomes inflamed when irritated due to the reflux of intestinal contents. Biliary reflux gastritis develops due to the functional failure of the pyloric sphincter in chronic duodenitis, biliary dyskinesia. Prerequisites for bile reflux are observed in diseases of the operated stomach and duodenal tumors.
  • Chronic stress. Neurohumoral imbalance is often a predisposing factor, although ischemia during an acute stress reaction can provoke the formation of erosions and even hemorrhagic gastritis. Chronic stress is accompanied by prolonged vasospasm and insufficient blood supply to the mucous membrane. The situation is aggravated by depletion of reserve capacity and gastrointestinal dyskinesias.
  • Food errors. Eating disorders are one of the main prerequisites for the development of chronic superficial gastritis. The constant intake of fatty, spicy, hot foods, dishes with extractive substances, and carbonated drinks causes irritation of the mucous membrane and enhances the effect of other factors. Less commonly, chemical damage or mechanical trauma provokes an acute process.

In old age, the main provoking factor is involutive thinning of the mucosa, leading to a decrease in local resistance. In sepsis, severe somatic diseases, and oncopathology, the prerequisite for inflammation is chronic ischemia of the gastric wall. Iatrogenic genesis of the disease is possible due to radiation therapy for cancer of the stomach, esophagus, other malignant neoplasia of the gastrointestinal tract or mechanical damage to the organ during gastroscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, nasointestinal intubation. In some cases (for example, with hyperplastic gastritis), the etiology remains unknown. It is possible that a number of forms of pathology are of hereditary origin.

Pathogenesis

The mechanism of inflammation of the stomach is associated with an imbalance of damaging and protective factors. Exposure to toxins, chemicals, autoantibodies, allergens, solid foods, instruments and x-rays provokes local reactions. The more massive the damaging effect, the more acute the inflammatory process. After a short alteration phase, microcirculation is disrupted, swelling, exudation of intravascular fluid and blood components are noted with the development of classic catarrhal gastritis. In more severe cases, acute degeneration and tissue necrosis are observed.

Chronization of acute inflammation is accompanied by atrophic, hyperplastic, metaplastic, and other dystrophic-regenerative changes in the glandular apparatus. At low intensity of damaging loads, a key role is played by a decrease in local resistance caused by both local and general influences. Constant irritation of the epithelium by food, alcohol, bile, endotoxins, dysregulation of secretory-motor function contributes to the occurrence of chronic inflammation with a gradual increase in pathomorphological changes.

A separate link in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis is a violation of acid-producing function. Under the influence of ammonia secreted by Helicobacter, the production of gastrin increases, the content of somatostatin decreases, which leads to hyperproduction of hydrochloric acid. As a result, the patient develops gastritis with high acidity. Atrophy of the mucous membrane of the fundus of the stomach and autoimmune damage to parietal cells inhibit the secretion of hydrochloric acid with moderate inflammation. This mechanism underlies gastritis with low acidity.

Classification

When systematizing the clinical forms of gastritis, the peculiarities of the course of the pathological process, morphological changes in the mucous membrane, the leading etiological factor, the localization of inflammation, the state of secretory function, the stage of the disease, and the presence of complications are taken into account. The most complete is the Houston classification of the disease, taking into account the clinical and morphological criteria proposed by R. Strickland and I. McKay (1973):

  • Type of inflammation. According to the nature of the course, acute and chronic variants of gastritis are distinguished. Special forms of the disease are considered separately - allergic, hypertrophic, lymphocytic, granulomatous, and other atypical inflammations.
  • Localization of the lesion. Often the disease affects one of the organ sections (fundic, antral gastritis). When the entire stomach is involved in the pathological process, which is more typical for acute forms of pathology, they speak of pangastritis.
  • Etiology. Taking into account the most significant causes, chronic autoimmune gastritis (type A), Helicobacter pylori inflammation (type B), and chemical toxic damage (type C) are distinguished. When several factors are combined, the disease is considered as a mixed process.
  • Nature of morphological changes. Depending on the depth of distribution and the characteristics of the pathological process, inflammation can be catarrhal, fibrinous, corrosive, phlegmonous, erosive. In chronic gastritis, atrophic processes often predominate.
  • Features of gastric secretion. When carrying out systematization, the acid-forming function of the stomach is assessed. Depending on the content of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice, gastritis is distinguished with low, high, and normal acidity.

Symptoms of gastritis

Signs of acute gastritis usually appear suddenly against the background of errors in diet, taking NSAIDs, or poisoning. Patients are concerned about epigastric pain of varying intensity, nausea, vomiting, belching, loss of appetite, and increased frequency of stools. Violations of the general condition in acute inflammation are represented by weakness, dizziness, and decreased ability to work. With an infectious genesis of the disorder, fever, chills, runny nose, cough, myalgia, and arthralgia are possible. A feature of the erosive variant of the disease is the presence of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, which manifests itself in the form of hematemesis or melena.

Symptoms of chronic gastritis depend on the secretory activity of the stomach. Inflammation, accompanied by increased acidity, is characterized by intense pain in the epigastric area, occurring 20-30 minutes after eating, chronic constipation, heartburn, and sour belching. With a long course, the patient is concerned about increased fatigue, emotional lability, and insomnia. In patients suffering from chronic gastritis with low acidity, the pain syndrome is mild or absent. There is morning sickness, a feeling of rapid satiety, heaviness in the stomach, diarrhea, flatulence, belching of air, a bitter taste in the mouth, and a gray coating on the tongue. Due to impaired digestion and absorption of food, weight loss, muscle weakness, and swelling in the legs are observed.

Complications

Diagnostics

Usually, in the presence of typical clinical signs, making a diagnosis of gastritis is not difficult. The main task of the diagnostic stage is a comprehensive examination of the patient to identify the root cause and determine the clinical variant of the disease. The following instrumental and laboratory methods are considered the most informative:

  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Examination of the mucous membrane during endoscopy reveals pathognomonic morphological signs of the disease. Gastritis is characterized by swelling, hyperemia, erosion, thinning and atrophy of the epithelium, areas of metaplasia, and increased vascular pattern.
  • X-ray of the stomach. A contrast study with a barium mixture is indicated. The presence of gastritis is indicated by thickening of the folds (more than 5 mm), the presence of mucosal nodes, enlarged gastric fields, and multiple erosions.
  • Intragastric pH-metry. Using daily measurements of acidity in the stomach, the secretory function of the organ is assessed and the clinical form of gastritis is determined. The method can also be used to assess the effectiveness of antisecretory therapy.
  • Breath test for Helicobacter. To detect H. pylori, the carbon concentration in the exhaled air is measured. The results are positive when the rate is more than 4‰. In doubtful cases, PCR diagnostics and determination of antibodies to Helicobacter in the blood are recommended.
  • Study of gastric juice. The method is aimed at studying the secretory function of the stomach. During the analysis, total acidity, the content of enzymes, mucus, and other substances are assessed. Microscopy of the sediment reveals epithelial cells, muscle fibers, etc.

In a general blood test, signs of B12 deficiency anemia are possible: a decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin, the appearance of megaloblasts. If the autoimmune nature of the disease is suspected, serological tests are performed to search for antiparietal antibodies. Diagnostically significant is the determination of serum levels of pepsinogens 1 and 2, gastrin. The coprogram reveals a large amount of undigested muscle fibers, starch grains, and fiber; the Gregersen reaction can be positive. In difficult cases, MSCT of the abdominal organs, ultrasound of the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and antroduodenal manometry are recommended. The most accurate method for establishing a morphological diagnosis is histological examination of a biopsy specimen.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with functional dyspepsia, other gastrointestinal diseases (peptic ulcer, chronic pancreatitis, cholecystitis), intestinal pathology (celiac disease, Crohn's disease), vitamin deficiency (pernicious anemia, pellagra), intestinal infections (salmonellosis, escherichiosis, sprue). In addition to consulting a gastroenterologist, the patient is recommended to be examined by an infectious disease specialist, hematologist, and hepatologist. To exclude myocardial infarction, a consultation with a cardiologist is prescribed, and in case of possible stomach cancer, a consultation with an oncologist.

Treatment of gastritis

Therapeutic tactics are determined by the factors that provoked the development of gastritis and the clinical form of the disease. The patient is recommended complex differentiated therapy, supplemented by diet correction, smoking cessation, and alcohol consumption. The basic regimen of conservative treatment usually includes the following groups of drugs:

For acute gastritis, the treatment plan includes gastric lavage, sorbents, antidotes, and infusion therapy. For patients with severe neurovegetative disorders, sedative herbal medicines and tranquilizers are recommended. For autoimmune inflammation, corticosteroids are used. Patients with severe pain are prescribed myotropic antispasmodics, and analgesics with caution. To stop bleeding and replenish blood loss in hemorrhagic gastritis, hemostatic agents are used, whole blood, red blood cells, and plasma are transfused. For duodenal-gastric reflux, ursodeoxycholic acid derivatives and dopamine receptor inhibitors are effective. Prokinetics are indicated to improve motor skills. Surgical operations are performed in cases of massive destruction of the gastric wall in patients with phlegmonous gastritis and the occurrence of profuse bleeding.

Prognosis and prevention

The outcome of the disease in an acute process is often favorable; chronic inflammation usually has a relapsing course with periods of exacerbations and remissions. The most unfavorable prognosis is chronic atrophic gastritis, leading to an irreversible decrease in acid formation in the stomach and malignancy. Prevention measures include limiting spicy and fatty foods, stopping smoking and drinking alcohol, taking medications only as prescribed by a doctor, and timely detection and treatment of diseases that can cause inflammation in the stomach.

Gastritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane (in some cases, even deeper layers) of the stomach wall. The disease leads to a decrease in the quality of food processing by gastric juice, due to which the entire functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is destabilized, and the body begins to experience a lack of substances even with a varied diet.

Symptoms include pain in the stomach on an empty stomach or after eating, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, etc. Due to the many varieties of this disease, the term “gastritis” is collective and serves to designate inflammatory and dystrophic changes in the mucous membrane of this organ of various origins.

In the article we will consider: what kind of disease this is, what are the causes and symptoms, as well as how to treat gastritis in adults without consequences and follow a proper diet.

What is gastritis?

Gastritis (lat. gastritis) is an inflammation of the mucous layer of the stomach, leading to disruption of the functions of this organ. Gastritis is dangerous because if it is not treated correctly or if the mucous membranes of the stomach are damaged by concentrated acids, alkalis or chemicals, the disease can be fatal. In addition, gastritis can be a precursor to oncological processes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

The stomach is the most vulnerable part of the digestive system. At least three complex digestive processes occur in it: mechanical mixing of the food coma, chemical breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients. The inner wall of the stomach is most often damaged– the mucous membrane, where the production of two mutually exclusive components of digestion occurs - gastric juice and protective mucus.

Currently, gastritis can already be called the disease of the century. It affects both adults and children. And according to health statistics, in Russia about 50% of the population has gastritis in some form.

Causes

Gastritis is manifested by inflammation and destruction of the gastric mucosa. The inflammatory reaction in the human body always develops in response to the action of damaging factors on healthy tissue. In the case of gastritis, it can be an infection, chemicals, high or low temperatures.

Thus, the main causes of this pathology are now placed as follows:

  • the effect of bacteria and fungi on the walls of the stomach;
  • eating disorders;
  • alcohol abuse;
  • taking medications;
  • presence;
  • chronic stress.

Internal causes of the disease include:

  • hereditary predisposition to gastrointestinal diseases;
  • presence of duodenal reflux;
  • violation of the protective properties of cells at the immune level;
  • hormonal imbalances;
  • reflex transmission of pathogenesis from neighboring organs.

But the main cause of gastritis is a bacterium, which is found in 85% of registered cases.

Very often, the cause of gastritis is an incorrect diet:

  • Hasty eating and poorly chewed food or dry food mechanically injure the mucous membrane
  • Eating food that is too hot or too cold causes gastritis due to thermal damage to the stomach lining.
  • Eating savory foods (mostly spicy and highly salted foods) irritates the stomach lining, similar to the effects of caustic chemicals.

Classification

Gastritis is classified according to several indicators - by type, by localization of the inflammatory process, by etiological factor, by endoscopic picture, by morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. All these indicators are very important for diagnosing and choosing treatment for the disease.

Depending on the degree of damage and the duration of exposure to irritating factors, acute and chronic gastritis are distinguished.

Acute gastritis

Acute gastritis is understood as a single and rapid inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by exposure to damaging factors of various etiologies (drugs, poisons, food contaminated with microorganisms, alcohol, etc.). With proper treatment, acute gastritis (depending on the form) lasts up to 5-7 days, but complete recovery of the stomach occurs much later.

Signs of acute inflammation of the mucous membrane appear suddenly and are caused by overeating, poor quality food, an allergic reaction to certain foods, and stress.

If factors that irritate the mucous membrane are not eliminated, inflammation passes into a chronic form.

Depending on the clinical manifestations and the nature of damage to the gastric mucosa, the following types of acute gastritis are considered:

  • catarrhal - is the mildest form of the disease, in which only the very top layer of the gastric mucosa is affected. This type of gastritis occurs as a result of food poisoning or allergies to food or medications. The stomach can also suffer from severe emotional stress and overeating;
  • fibrinous - with this form of gastritis, a protein is released at the site of inflammation - fibrin, which is contained in the blood plasma and has a fibrous structure. Externally, the site of such inflammation () is covered with a cloudy film of yellow-brown or gray color. Underneath it are numerous erosions of the mucous membrane, the formation of which can lead to an abscess, that is, phlegmonous gastritis. ;
  • necrotic - not a very common form of gastritis; it occurs as a result of poisoning with chemicals. When, for example, acids enter the gastrointestinal tract, so-called coagulation necrosis is formed, if we are talking about salts - colliquation necrosis.;
  • phlegmous - the most serious form of acute gastritis. May be a consequence of catarrhal gastritis. Accompanied by damage to all layers of the stomach. In the most severe cases it can be fatal. Requires immediate medical attention.

Chronic gastritis

Chronic gastritis is a long-term recurrent inflammation of the gastric mucosa, during which a number of dystrophic changes develop:

  • increased infiltration,
  • violation of the regenerative function of the glandular epithelium,
  • proliferation of connective tissue.

Signs of chronic gastritis in adults are expressed in the following conditions:

  • sweating after eating;
  • losing weight;
  • heartburn;
  • pale skin;
  • coated tongue.

According to etiology, chronic gastritis is divided into:

  • Associated with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
  • Autoimmune, caused by the formation of antibodies to stomach cells.
  • Chemically mediated, that is, arising from long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, or, in other words, NSAIDs) or the reflux of bile into the stomach.
  • Idiopathic, that is, mediated by repeated exposure to the stomach of the same factor.
  • Eosinophilic, allergic in nature.
  • Granulomatous gastritis, which occurs along with granulomatous inflammation of other organs: Crohn's disease, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, etc.

Also distinguished:

  • Superficial gastritis
  • Atrophic
  • Reflux gastritis.

Depending on the secretory activity of the stomach, gastritis is distinguished:

  • with high or normal acidity;
  • with low or zero acidity.

It is quite possible to distinguish the symptoms of these conditions, but the final diagnosis is made on the basis of an analysis of gastric juice taken by intubation. In some cases, the pH of gastric juice is determined by indirect methods using urine tests.

Remember that only a doctor can determine the type, shape and course of gastritis. Under no circumstances take medications prescribed to your loved ones and friends - each individual form of gastritis requires an individual approach, and a drug that helped one person cope with gastritis can have a detrimental effect on the body of another.

Symptoms of gastritis in adults

How gastritis manifests itself in adults also depends on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body. Some patients patiently endure even the most severe pain, while others, at the first signs of damage to the inner lining of the stomach, experience many negative syndromes.

  • weakness;
  • vomiting;
  • dizziness;
  • epigastric pain;
  • weight loss;
  • cardiovascular disorders;
  • drowsiness;
  • irritability;
  • lack of appetite;
  • unpleasant taste;
  • stool disorders.

The first signs of gastritis of the stomach

Gastritis has a variety of symptoms, but can occur without pronounced manifestations. The most characteristic sign:

  • pain in the solar plexus area;
  • aggravated after ingestion of certain types of food, liquids and medications, especially those with increased aggressiveness to the gastric mucosa;
  • sometimes the pain intensifies between meals.
Types of gastritis Symptoms
Spicy In acute gastritis, the following symptoms of gastric dyspepsia are observed:
  • a feeling of unpleasant, musty taste in the mouth;
  • pain localized in the epigastric region;
  • profuse drooling and nausea, leading to vomiting of stomach contents;
  • repeated belching of air or unpleasant odor of consumed food;
  • weakness, dizziness occur with repeated vomiting;
  • loose stools;
  • the temperature increase can be either insignificant or critical (up to 40C);
  • elevated .
Chronic Chronic inflammation of the stomach manifests itself as follows:
  • unpleasant taste in the mouth;
  • the occurrence of aching pain and heaviness in the upper part of the stomach;
  • belching and heartburn;
  • constipation;
  • lack of appetite.
With high acidity
  • heartburn is noted,
  • belching sour,
  • sometimes vomiting.

Patients with gastritis are bothered by pain in the epigastric region, night pain and hunger pain.

Low acidity
  • bad taste in the mouth,
  • loss of appetite,
  • nausea especially in the morning,
  • belching air,
  • rumbling and transfusion in the stomach,
  • constipation or diarrhea.

The presence of at least one or more of the listed symptoms should force you to seek help from a gastroenterologist.

Complications

Gastritis of the stomach (with the exception of phlegmonous gastritis) does not belong to the group of dangerous diseases. However, gastritis gives rise to dangerous complications:

  • internal bleeding: more typical for;
  • hypovitaminosis;
  • , sepsis: characteristic of purulent phlegmous gastritis;
  • (anemia), vitamin B12 deficiency: develops due to inadequate absorption of vitamin B12 in the stomach. Anemia may develop for the same reason;
  • : gastritis can become an impetus for the development of inflammation of the pancreas, especially in the presence of additional risk factors - drinking alcohol, taking medications, smoking;
  • dehydration: with prolonged vomiting;
  • : loss of appetite and metabolic disorders can lead to significant depletion of the body;
  • gastric ulcer: in the absence or inadequate treatment, progression of damage to the stomach walls is possible;
  • Stomach cancer: gastritis is a risk factor for the occurrence of gastric cancer.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of any type of gastritis must necessarily include consultations with doctors such as a gastroenterologist and endoscopist. In order not just to suspect a pathological process, but to confirm that the assumptions are correct, the patient must be sent for a diagnostic examination.

When diagnosing gastritis, a specialist needs to establish the main cause of the pathology. Further therapy will largely depend on this.

The disease in adults is diagnosed using tests such as:

  • gastroscopy - examination of the gastric mucosa with special equipment;
  • biopsy;
  • study of gastric juice in laboratory conditions;
  • stool and blood analysis.

To identify Helicobacter pylori, a sample of a part of the mucous membrane removed during FGDS or blood is used - when examining it, it is determined whether it contains specific antibodies against the bacterium of interest.

Only the results of a comprehensive diagnosis allow a gastroenterologist to obtain a holistic picture, understand the causes of functional failure, and develop an individual treatment program.

Treatment of gastritis

In adults, treatment of gastritis is aimed primarily at eliminating factors that provoke the development or exacerbation of the disease (infection, poor diet), stimulating restoration processes in the gastric mucosa and preventing new episodes of the disease (exacerbations).

How to treat gastritis of the stomach? It depends on the form of the disease. An important part of therapy is diet - without following certain rules of eating behavior, the medicinal effect will be much less effective.

Medications for gastritis:

  1. Antibiotics: amoxiclav, clarithromycin, metronidazole, furazolidone, amoxicillin. Medicines must be taken for at least 7 days, one tablet twice a day;
  2. Enveloping agents: gastal, phosphalugel, almagel - drugs that need to be taken three times daily for a month;
  3. Antisecretory drugs: omez, ranitidine, famotidine - take a tablet daily 20 minutes before meals. Medicines significantly reduce pain. The course of therapy is about a month;
  4. Antispasmodics: no-spa, platifilin, metacin - 3 tablets for severe pain;
  5. Cytoprotectors protect the gastric mucosa from the influence of hydrochloric acid - the duration of treatment is 20 days;
  6. Enzymatic preparations: pangrol, pancreatin, gastal, festal, mezim improve intestinal functionality. Take 1 tablet three times a day for a month;
  7. Hormonal agents improve the protective properties of the gastric mucosa;
  8. Antiemetic drugs: cerucal, metoclopramide - twice daily for a week.

You should not self-prescribe certain medications for yourself or your loved ones. This can lead to undesirable consequences and complications. A gastroenterologist knows how to cure gastritis.

After the onset of remission, you need to maintain regular eating up to 4-5 times a day, without long breaks. Do not overindulge in cold snacks, pizzas or hot dogs. It is advisable to completely eliminate strong alcohol. Low-fat fermented milk products, boiled vegetables, lean meat and fish are shown.

Diet and treatment with folk remedies complement conservative therapy, which allows you to quickly achieve long-term remission.

The prognosis for all types of gastritis is favorable, but only with timely treatment, following a diet, and giving up bad habits. Do not forget that a long course of chronic gastritis can lead to the formation of adenocarcinoma and stomach cancer.

Diet

The diet for gastritis is different and depends on the form and stage of the disease. In the event of an attack, it is advisable to refuse food and drink for a day. This helps unload the stomach and intestines. If you are very thirsty, you can drink some still water at room temperature.

An exacerbation of the disease should be a signal to exclude from the diet:

  • alcoholic drinks,
  • coffee,
  • marinades,
  • seasonings,
  • fried foods,
  • sodas,
  • conservation,
  • semi-finished products,
  • food from the fast food category,
  • fatty foods,
  • products that promote fermentation (grapes, black bread, milk),
  • rich pastries.

If the disease is accompanied by increased acidity, a ban is imposed on:

  • fried, fatty, spicy foods (digesting them requires an increased amount of hydrochloric acid),
  • fresh fruits and vegetables,
  • food with coarse fibers (lean meat, preferably veal, young poultry),
  • Cereal porridges and soups should be high in mucus.

For gastritis with low acidity, the following dishes and ingredients should be included in the diet:

  • Meat broths in the form of borscht soups or simply as a separate dish
  • Bread made from wholemeal flour (with bran, rye).
  • More fresh vegetables
  • Various pickles that stimulate gastric secretion, increasing the pH of the stomach.

The appropriate temperature regime for consumed foods is also observed in the diet. It is important to consider that hot food causes damage to the inflamed mucosa, while cold food remains in the stomach for a longer time, due to which the production of hydrochloric acid increases. Again, foods fried in oil and fresh baked goods are excluded. All food, including soups, should be pureed and not hot.

How to treat gastritis with folk remedies

  1. Milk. This product helps to quickly reduce stomach acidity at home. In addition, drinking a glass of warm milk quickly eliminates the symptoms of heartburn.
  2. Linen . For therapy, you can only take cold-pressed oil, which contains the required amount of beneficial substances. The duration of treatment with flaxseed product is 12 weeks. During this period, the patient’s digestion will significantly improve and the harmful effects on the mucous membrane will decrease. To obtain the necessary therapeutic result, you need to take a teaspoon of oil before breakfast and after dinner. In this case, be sure to drink the product with a small amount of warm water, which ensures better absorption.
  3. Aloe juice has anti-inflammatory and powerful regenerative properties. Egg white is able to envelop the gastric mucosa, protecting against the aggression of hydrochloric acid. Mix these two ingredients 1:1 and drink a large spoon three times a day before meals.
  4. Gastritis in adults can be treated using thyme tincture. Take two tablespoons of herb and pour 500 ml. white wine, stand in the refrigerator for a week, then the resulting mixture must be boiled and strained. Take two teaspoons daily before each meal. This tincture helps patients with chronic gastritis to completely get rid of the disease.
  5. Mumiyo - a healing remedy from Altai which helps with gastritis. Mix a quarter gram of mumiyo with honey and milk, use the folk remedy daily on an empty stomach and before going to bed. It will be best if you add homemade milk to this cocktail, it interacts better with the other ingredients.

Prevention

As for preventive measures, they must be carried out on an ongoing basis. These include:

  • rejection of bad habits;
  • maintaining proper, rational and balanced nutrition;
  • compliance with the work and rest regime;
  • physical activity;
  • avoiding prolonged stressful situations and nervous overload
  • undergo regular medical examination.

Preventive methods are not difficult to follow; they will help you maintain health, which is priceless.

Treatment of gastritis is a multifaceted process that includes diet, drug treatment, and strengthening the body's defenses. Gastritis should not be considered normal, although it occurs in a huge part of the world's population, it must be treated