GASTRITIS

Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, and has many possible causes.The main acute causes are excessive alcohol consumption or prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (also known as NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Sometimes gastritis develops after major surgery, traumatic injury, burns, or severe infections. Gastritis may also occur in those who have had weight loss surgery resulting in the banding or reconstruction of the digestive tract. Chronic causes are infection with bacteria, primarily helicobactor pylori.Certain diseases, such as pernicious anemia, chronic bile reflux, stress and certain autoimmune disorder can cause gastritis as well.

Signs and symptoms

A peptic ulcer may accompany gastritis.endoscopy image
                             SIGN AND SYMPTOMS

Many people with gastritis experience no symptoms at all. However, upper central abdominal pain is the most common symptom; the pain may be dull, vague, burning, aching, gnawing, sore, or sharp. Pain is usually located in the upper central portion of the abdomen, but it may occur anywhere from the upper left portion of the abdomen around to the back.
Other signs and symptoms may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting (if present, may be clear, green or yellow, blood-streaked, or completely bloody, depending on the severity of the stomach inflammation)
• Belching (if present, usually does not relieve the pain much)
• Bloating
• Feeling full after only a few bites of food
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• 
  

Diagnosis

Often, a diagnosis can be made based on the patient's description of his or her symptoms, but other methods may be used to verify:

• Blood tests:
  • Blood cell count
  • Presence of H. pylori
  • Pregnancy
  • Liver, kidney, gallbladder, or pancreas functions
• Urinalysis
• Stool sample, to look for blood in the stool
• X-rays
• ECGs
• Endoscopy, to check for stomach lining inflammation and mucous erosion 

• Stomach biopsy, to test for gastritis and other conditions

  TREATMENT  

• Over-the-counter antacids in liquid or tablet form are a common treatment for mild gastritis. Antacids neutralize stomach acid and can provide fast pain relief. When antacids don't provide enough relief, medications such as cimetidine, ranitidine, nizatidine or famotidine that help reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces are often prescribed. An even more effective way to limit stomach acid production is to shut down the acid "pumps" within acid-secreting stomach cells. Proton pump inhibitors reduce acid by blocking the action of these small pumps. This class of medications includes omeprazole, lansoprazole, and rabeprazole.