Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Gastritis

by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Definition

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. In some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers in the lining of the stomach. Gastritis can be:

  • Acute—comes on suddenly and lasts briefly
  • Chronic—either long lasting or recurrent
Causes

Causes of gastritis include:

  • Bacterial infection, such as Helicobacter pylori
  • Drugs (such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications [NSAIDs], as well as steroid drugs)
  • Severe illness, which can occur from:
    • Burns
    • Head injury
    • Liver or kidney disease
    • Respiratory failure
    • Sepsis
    • Shock
    • Surgery
  • Viral infection (for example, herpes or cytomegalovirus )
  • Alcohol
  • Atrophy of the lining of the stomach (atrophic gastritis), usually associated with older age
  • Crohn's disease
  • Excess production of stomach acid
  • Fungal infection
  • Injury to the blood vessels that bring blood to the stomach
  • Pernicious anemia (causes autoimmune gastritis)
  • Radiation treatment
  • Reflux of bile into the stomach, especially after surgery of the bile system
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Smoking
  • Swallowing caustic substances
  • Syphilis
Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chance of gastritis include:

  • Severe illness, such as can occur with:
  • Age 60 and older
  • Diseases of the lymph system
  • Heavy alcohol use
  • NSAID use
  • Pernicious anemia
Symptoms

Symptoms include:

  • Bloody or black vomit
  • Burping
  • Dark black, tarry stools
  • Hiccuping
  • Indigestion
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain
Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Tests may include:

  • Blood, breath, or stool tests—to check for infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori
  • Biopsy —removal of a sample of stomach tissue to examine in a lab
  • Endoscopy —a thin, lighted tube inserted down the throat and into the stomach to examine the inside of the stomach
  • Upper GI Series (Barium Swallow) —a series of x-rays of the upper digestive system taken after drinking a barium solution

Treatment

Treatment may include:

Medications

These include:

  • Antibiotics to treat Helicobacter pylori infection
  • H 2 blockers
  • Antacids
  • Proton pump inhibitors

If you are diagnosed with gastritis, follow your doctor's instructions .

Prevention

To help prevent gastritis:

  • Avoid alcohol .
  • If you smoke, quit .
  • Ask your doctor if any of the medications you are taking might be irritating your stomach. You might need to change your current medicines. You may need to take another medication to coat and protect your stomach lining.
  • If you notice that certain foods are irritating, stop eating them. Spicy food may cause irritation. Some people feel better when they eat a bland diet.

Last reviewed: September 2011 by Daus Mahnke, MD.

RESOURCES:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References:
  • Conn HF, Rakel RE. Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2001.
  • Mulley AG, Goroll AH. Primary Care Medicine . 4th ed. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins; 2000.
  • Wyngaarden JB. Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2000.