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Gastritis

Types & Causes

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Gastritis happens after a weakening of the protective mucus lining of the stomach. Digestive juices can then damage and inflame the walls of the stomach.

There are two main types of gastritis.

  • Erosive gastritis: This form of gastritis is severe, and involves both inflammation and the gradual wearing down of the stomach lining. An example is acute stress gastritis, which follows changes due to critical illness. Erosive gastritis usually has a quick onset, but this may take longer with chronic gastritis.

  • Nonerosive gastritis: The nonerosive form of gastritis involves changes in the stomach lining

The most common cause of gastritis is H. pylori infection in the stomach lining. However, some types occur when the immune system inappropriately attacks the stomach lining, such as autoimmune atrophic gastritis.

There are other types that result from trauma or damage to the stomach lining. One example of this is postgastrectomy gastritis, where the stomach lining degenerates after the removal of part of the stomach.

It is not known how this occurs. It is thought that gastrectomy may cause increased reflux, reactions from the vagal nerve, or reduction in the number of acids triggered by hormones.

Others types include:

  • Infectious gastritis not caused by H. pylori: Viruses or fungi can cause gastritis in people with immune difficulties or long-term illnesses.

  • Radiation gastritis: Exposure of the abdominal area to radiation can irritate the stomach lining.

  • Eosinophilic gastritis: This form of gastritis can occur due to an allergic reaction. The cause of the allergic reaction is not known.

  • Ménétrier disease: This disorder is rare and involves the development of thick folds and cysts on the stomach wall.

It is not currently known how gastritis spreads. Contaminated food, water, or cutlery are thought to play a part in transferring H. pylori from one person to the next.

However, the wide range of causes makes this difficult to confirm.

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Treatment

Treatment for gastritis is dependent on several factors. These include the cause of the condition and whether the presentation of gastritis is acute or chronic.

Treatment options for gastritis involve a range of medications, such as:

  • Antibiotic medications: A 10-to-14-day course of antibiotics can directly attack H. pylori. Regimens may include clarithromycin and metronidazole.

  • Proton pump inhibitors: These include omeprazole and lansoprazole. Proton pump inhibitors block the production of acid and aid healing.

  • Histamine (H-2) blockers: Histamine blockers, such as ranitidine and famotidine, can decrease acid production.

  • Antacids: These can neutralize stomach acid.

  • Coating agents: Sucralfate or misoprostol can coat and protect the stomach lining.

  • Anti-nausea medications: This type of medication can reduce sickness symptoms.

The treatment depends on the cause. For example, if the cause of gastritis is not bacterial, antibiotics will have no effect.

Combining these treatments with the recommended dietary changes is the surest way to tackle gastritis.

Prevention

A person can reduce the risk of developing gastritis by following these steps:

  • Practice good hand-washing hygiene and eat well-cooked food. This reduces the risk of contracting H. pylori.

  • Avoid certain medications, smoking, caffeine, and alcohol.

As some causes are unknown, there is no way to fully prevent gastritis.

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