GastritisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Gastritis
Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed or swollen.
Gastritis may last for only a short time (acute gastritis) or it may linger for months to years (chronic gastritis).
The most common causes of gastritis are:
- Certain medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen and other similar medicines
- Heavy alcohol drinking
- Infection of the stomach with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori
Less common causes are:
- Autoimmune disorders (such as pernicious anemia)
- Backflow of bile into the stomach (bile reflux)
- Cocaine use
- Eating or drinking caustic or corrosive substances (such as poisons)
- Viral infection, such as cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus (more often occurs in people with a weak immune system)
Trauma or a severe, sudden illness such as major surgery, kidney failure, or being placed on a breathing machine may cause gastritis.
Many people with gastritis do not have any symptoms.
Symptoms you may notice are:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen
If gastritis is causing bleeding from the lining of the stomach, symptoms may include:
- Black stools
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material
Treatment depends on what is causing the problem. Some of the causes will go away over time.
You may need to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other medicines that may be causing gastritis. Always talk to your health care provider before stopping any medicine.
You may use other over-the-counter and prescription drugs that decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, such as:
- Antacids
- H2 antagonists: famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), and nizatidine (Axid)
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), Iansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (AcipHex), and pantoprazole (Protonix)
- Newer acid blockers called potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs) (such as vonoprazan)
Antibiotics may be used to treat gastritis caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. They are taken with an acid blocker such as a PPI or PCAB.
Nirmala Gonsalves is a Gastroenterologist practicing medicine in Chicago, Illinois. She has been practicing medicine for over 27 years. Dr. Gonsalves is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. She is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Esophagitis, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Gastritis, Viral Gastroenteritis, and Endoscopy. Dr. Gonsalves is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology (Certified).
Sullivan Digestive Center
. Dr. Sullivan is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. He is also highly rated in 37 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Swallowing Difficulty, Painful Swallowing, and Gastritis. Dr. Sullivan is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Kazuhiko Koike practices practicing medicine in Tokyo, Japan. Koike is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. They are also highly rated in 45 other conditions, according to our data. Their clinical expertise encompasses Liver Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Hepatitis, Endoscopy, and Stent Placement.
The outlook depends on the cause, but is often very good.
Blood loss and increased risk for gastric cancer can occur.
Contact your provider if you develop:
- Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen that does not go away
- Black or tarry stools
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material
Avoid long-term use of substances that can irritate your stomach such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or alcohol.
Summary: Helicobacter pylori infection is a common global gastrointestinal infectious disease, affecting approximately 43.1% of the world's population. Eradicating H. pylori is crucial for reducing the risk of developing conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. Currently, 14-day high-dose dual therapy containing amoxicillin and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy are the gui...
Summary: Purpose: The study is a cross-sectional observational study designed to determine if eosinophilic gastritis (EG) results in gastric motility impairment. Hypothesis: Gastric dysfunction occurs in the natural history of EG but is underdiagnosed due, in part, to contraindications to the use of the standard meals used in gastric emptying studies.
Published Date: January 24, 2025
Published By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Gastroenterologist, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Feldman M, Jensen PJ, Howden CW. Gastritis and gastropathy. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 52.
Kuipers EJ. Acid peptic disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 125.