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.
Kazuhiko Koike practices in Tokyo, Japan. Koike is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. Their top areas of expertise are Liver Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Hepatitis, Endoscopy, and Stent Placement.
Peter Malfertheiner practices in Magdeburg, Germany. Mr. Malfertheiner is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. His top areas of expertise are Gastritis, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, Chronic Erosive Gastritis, Endoscopy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Massimo Rugge practices in Padova, Italy. Mr. Rugge is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. His top areas of expertise are Gastritis, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, Viral Gastroenteritis, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.
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: Gastric cancer afflicts 27,000 Americans annually and carries a dismal prognosis. One reason for poor outcomes is late diagnosis, as the majority of gastric cancers in the United States are diagnosed at a relatively advanced stage where curative resection is unlikely. Gastric precursors (such as atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia) are precancerous changes to the stomach mucosa which incr...
Summary: This study aims at evaluating efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii combined with bismuth-containing quadruple Therapy versus bismuth-containing quadruple Therapy(bismuth#esomeprazole#tetracycline and furazolidone) in H. pylori rescue therapy. It is hypothesized that Saccharomyces boulardii combined with bismuth-containing quadruple Therapy is superior to bismuth-containing quadruple Ther...
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.