Gastritis happens when the stomach lining is inflamed due to excessive alcohol use, chronic stress, use of anti-inflammatories or any other cause that affects the functioning of the stomach. Depending on the cause, symptoms may appear suddenly or worsen over time.
So, if you think you may have gastritis, select what you are feeling to know your risk:
- 1. Constant and prick-shaped stomach pain Yes No
- 2. Feeling sick or having a full stomach Yes No
- 3. Swollen and sore belly Yes No
- 4. Slow digestion and frequent belching Yes No
- 5. Headache and general malaise Yes No
- 6. Loss of appetite, vomiting or retching Yes No
These symptoms can persist even when taking antacids such as Sonrisal or Gaviscon, for example, and therefore should always be evaluated by a gastroenterologist.
Symptoms of gastritis can be mild and appear when eating something spicy, greasy or after consuming alcoholic beverages, while symptoms of gastritis nervosa appear whenever the individual is anxious or stressed. See other symptoms: Symptoms of nervous gastritis.
How to confirm if it is gastritis
Although the diagnosis of gastritis can be made based on the person's symptoms, the gastroenterologist may order a test called a digestive endoscopy, which serves to view the internal walls of the stomach and whether the H. Pylori bacteria is present.
Although 80% of the world population has this bacterium present in the stomach, the people who suffer most from gastritis also have it and its elimination helps in the treatment and relief of symptoms. Also see the difference for stomach ulcer symptoms.
What causes gastritis
There are several factors that can lead to the development of inflammation in the lining of the stomach wall. The most common include:
- H. pylori infection: is a type of bacteria that attaches to the stomach, causing inflammation and destruction of the stomach lining. See other symptoms of this infection and how to treat it; Frequent use of anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen: this type of medication reduces a substance that helps protect the walls from the stomach's irritating effect of gastric acid; Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages: o alcohol causes irritation of the stomach wall and also leaves the stomach unprotected from the action of gastric juices; High levels of stress: stress alters gastric functioning, facilitating inflammation of the stomach wall.
In addition, people with autoimmune diseases, such as AIDS, are also at increased risk of having gastritis.
Although it is easy to treat, when treatment is not done properly, gastritis can result in complications such as ulcers or gastric bleeding. Understand how gastritis is treated.
See also what care you should take to treat and relieve gastritis:
