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Gastritis

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and can be caused by infection, medications, alcohol, and other factors. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment may involve identifying and avoiding causes, using medications to reduce stomach acid, and dietary changes.

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127 views

Gastritis

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and can be caused by infection, medications, alcohol, and other factors. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment may involve identifying and avoiding causes, using medications to reduce stomach acid, and dietary changes.

Uploaded by

kapczuk
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Gastritis
Gastritisisinflammation(irritation)ofthestomachlining.Thismaybecausedbymanyfactors includinginfection,alcohol,particularmedicationsandsomeallergicandimmuneconditions. Gastritiscanbeeitheracute(withsevereattackslastingadayortwo)orchronic(withlong-term appetitelossornausea).Inmanycases,gastritishasnosymptoms(asymptomatic). Someforms,includingchronicatrophicgastritis,havebeenassociatedwithanincreasedriskof stomachcancer.Treatmentoptionsincludeavoidingexposuretoknownirritantsandtaking medicationtoreducetheamountofgastricjuices. Symptoms Inmanycases,gastritishasnosymptoms.Commonsymptomscaninclude: Lossofappetite Painintheupperabdomenjustundertheribs Nauseaorindigestion Hiccups Vomiting Bloodinthevomit Bloodinthebowelactions,ifthestomachlininghasulcerated(thisturnsstoolsblackand iscalledmelaena) Weightloss.

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The stomach Thestomachisanorganofthedigestivesystem,locatedintheabdomenjustbelowtheribs. Swallowedfoodismixedwithgastricjuicescontainingenzymesandhydrochloricacid.Theliningof thestomach,calledtheepithelium,islayeredwithmultiplefolds.Theepitheliumiscoatedwith mucus(gastricmucosa)secretedbyspecialglands.Inflammationcausedbygastritisoccursinthis lining. A range of causes Gastritiscanbecausedbymanydifferentfactors,including: Medicationssuchasaspirinandnon-steroidalanti-inflammatorydrugs(NSAIDS) InfectionwiththeHelicobacter pylori bacteria,theorganismresponsibleforthemajorityof stomachandduodenalulcers Alcohol Protractedvomiting Overproductionofgastricjuices,whichisastressresponseinsomepeople Thebackflowofbilefromthesmallintestine(duodenum) Someallergicandimmuneconditionsforexample,perniciousanaemia Exposuretoradiation.

Diagnosis Diagnosinggastritisinvolvesavarietyoftests,including: Endoscopyathinflexibletubeisthreadeddowntheoesophagusintothestomach.The endoscopeisfittedwithasmallcamerasothephysiciancanlookatthestomachlining.If thegastricmucosaisreddened,thismayindicategastritis.Abiopsyisneededfor confirmation. Biopsysmalltissuesamplesaretakenduringanendoscopyandtestedinalaboratory. Thepathologistwilllookforchanges,includingthepresenceofinflammatorycellsand epitheliumdamage.

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Treatment Treatmentforgastritismayinclude: Identifying the causeoncethecauseisidentified,stepscanbetakentoavoid exposure.Forexample,ifalcoholistriggeringtheinflammation,youcanabstainorreduce theamountofalcoholyoudrink.Anti-inflammatorydrugstakentohelpmanageother conditionsmayneedtobestoppedorreplacedwithanalternative. Medicationstabletsareavailabletoreducetheacidcontentinthegastricjuices.You mayneedtotakethesemedicationsforafewweeksormonths,dependingonyour situation. Dietary modificationssuchaslimitingoravoidingalcoholandcaffeine,whichcan irritatethestomachlining. No treatment oftengastritisisfoundbychanceduringanendoscopy.IfHelicobacter pyloriisnotpresent,andtherearenootherfeaturesseenonbiopsy,thereisusuallyno needtotreatthegastritis.

Helicobacter pylori infection TheHelicobacter pylori bacteriumcausesgastritisandisalsoresponsibleformostpepticulcers.A pepticulcerisaholeintheliningofthestomach,duodenumoroesophagus.Helicobacter pylori bacteriumisthoughttobeacauseofindigestionandacontributingfactorinthedevelopmentof stomachcancer. Thegermsliveintheliningofthestomachandthechemicalstheyproducecauseirritationand inflammation.Diagnosisincludesaspecialbreathtesttocheckforgaseousby-productsofthe bacteria.Treatmentincludesacombinationofdifferentantibiotics,followedbybreathteststo makesurethemedicationhasworked. Where to get help Yourdoctor NurseonCallTel.1300606024forexperthealthinformationandadvice(24hours,7 days) Gastroenterologist

Things to remember

Gastritisisinflammation(irritation)ofthestomachlining. Commoncausesincludeinfection,anti-inflammatorydrugsandalcohol. Treatmentoptionsincludeavoidingexposuretoknownirritants,andmedicationtoreduce theamountofgastricjuices.

This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:

CanberraHospital-GastroenterologyUnit

Copyight 1999/2009StateofVictoria.ReproducedfromtheBetterHealthChannel(www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au)at nocostwithpermissionoftheVictorianMinisterforHealth.Unauthorisedreproductionandotherusescomprisedinthe copyrightareprohibitedwithoutpermission. ThisBetterHealthChannelfactsheethaspassedthrougharigorousapprovalprocess.Forthelatestupdatesandmore informationvisitwww.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.

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