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

Guthrie Medical Group PC

31 Arnot Rd, 
Horseheads, NY 
 39.2 mi

Ukorn Srivatana is a Gastroenterologist in Horseheads, New York. Dr. Srivatana and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. His top areas of expertise are Gastritis, Barrett Esophagus, Choledocholithiasis, Gastrectomy, and Endoscopy.

Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology
116 Business Park Dr, 
Utica, NY 
 64.9 mi

Robert Pavelock is a Gastroenterologist in Utica, New York. Dr. Pavelock and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. His top areas of expertise are Barrett Esophagus, Benign Esophageal Stricture, Lower Esophageal Ring, Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy.

 
 
 
 
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Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology

Geisinger Clinic

675 Baltimore Dr, 
Wilkes Barre, PA 
 96.7 mi

John Boger is a Gastroenterologist in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Dr. Boger and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gastritis. His top areas of expertise are Encopresis, Bowel Incontinence, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Gastrectomy, and Endoscopy.

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.

Digestive system
Stomach and stomach lining
What are the latest Gastritis Clinical Trials?
The GAstric Precancerous Conditions Study

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...

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A Phase 2/3, Randomized, 3-Part Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Dupilumab in Adult and Adolescent Patients With Eosinophilic Gastritis With or Without Eosinophilic Duodenitis

Summary: The study is researching an experimental drug called dupilumab. The study is focused on participants with active eosinophilic gastritis (EoG) with or without eosinophilic duodenitis (EoD). Participants with EoD only are not eligible for enrollment. EoG and EoD are uncommon, persistent, allergic/immune diseases in which eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) gather in large numbers in the stomach...

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.