Learn About Gastritis

What is the definition of 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).

What are the causes of Gastritis?

The most common causes of gastritis are:

  • Certain medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen and other similar drugs
  • 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)
  • Extreme stress
  • 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.

What are the symptoms of 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
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What are the current treatments for Gastritis?

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)

Antibiotics may be used to treat gastritis caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

Who are the top Gastritis Local Doctors?
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology

First Medical Center Inc

11841 S St, 
Cerritos, CA 
 2.2 mi

Jaesoo Pak is a Gastroenterologist in Cerritos, California. Dr. Pak and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. His top areas of expertise are Indigestion, Chronic Erosive Gastritis, Gastritis, and Menetrier Disease.

Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology

Oc Gastrocare

408 S Beach Blvd, Suite 211, 
Anaheim, CA 
 3.3 mi
Offers Telehealth

Jason Yip is a Gastroenterologist in Anaheim, California. Dr. Yip and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. His top areas of expertise are Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Chronic Erosive Gastritis, Gastritis, Gastrectomy, and Gastrostomy.

 
 
 
 
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Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology
7891 Westminster Blvd, 
Westminster, CA 
 6.8 mi

Long Dang is a Gastroenterologist in Westminster, California. Dr. Dang and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Erosive Gastritis, Gastritis, Menetrier Disease, Gastrectomy, and Gastrostomy.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Gastritis?

The outlook depends on the cause, but is often very good.

What are the possible complications of Gastritis?

Blood loss and increased risk for gastric cancer can occur.

When should I contact a medical professional for Gastritis?

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
How do I prevent Gastritis?

Avoid long-term use of substances that can irritate your stomach such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or alcohol.

What are the latest Gastritis Clinical Trials?
Atrophic Gastritis Predicts the Risk of Gastric Cancer: a Prospective Cohort Study

Summary: Despite declining incidence rates, gastric cancer (GC) ranks the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with the highest incidence reported in Eastern Asia. The 5-year overall survival rate of early GC exceeds 90%, which was well above advanced GC. Most intestinal-type GCs follow the Correa cascade-inflammation,atrophy, intestinal metaplasia (I...

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Family Members At INcreased-risk for Developing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (FIND-IBD)

Summary: First-degree relatives of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) have an increased risk for developing IBD themselves. This study will follow unaffected first-degree relatives (who do not have IBD) over time to understand if their behaviors, diet, and biomarkers for IBD can help predict who gets IBD and if IBD can be prevented in these high-r...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: January 30, 2023
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

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, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 130.