Gastritis: Symptoms and Treatment

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or burning sensation, postprandial fullness (feeling fullness or gas after a meal). The symptoms of gastritis are non-specific, which means they may be present in other conditions.

Gastritis can be caused by multiple agents and can be classified into acute and chronic. Among the most common causes of acute gastritis are: NSAID´s, biphosphonates, potassium, macrolide, alcohol, stress, viruses and bacteria. Chronic gastritis is usually cause by Helicobacter pylori.

Treatment of Gastritis

Treatment of gastritis depends on its etiology. First it has to be diagnosed. The diagnosis is made endoscopically and microscopically. If it is caused by something the patient is taking, the treatment is to discontinue the agent. If the biopsy reveals pylori, it can be treated with antibiotics.

Medications sometimes are needed for the treatment of gastritis if discontinuation of the offending agent or eradication Helicobacter pylori does not completely cure the symptoms. Medications used include antacids such as Mylanta, acid blockers such as Zantac and proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec, Aciphex , Nexium and Prevacid.

Some people have used natural remedies for gastritis with good outcomes. The most important of all is to follow a well balanced diet and avoid foods that can irritate the stomach and worsen symptoms. Foods to avoid include alcohol, coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine, and tobacco. Natural remedies for both acute and chronic cases include coconut and rice water. Some people also use the herb call Marigold whose scientific name is Calendula officinalis and its Indian name is Saldbargh or Zergul (Source : home-remedies-guide.com). It is believed that this herb has wound healing and antiseptic properties.

Seeking the Help of a Gastroenterologist

My advice as a gastroenterologist is that if you are suffering from gastritis you should try keeping a log of the foods that provoke episodes of gastritis and then avoid these. Avoid excessive alcohol intake, caffeine and spicy foods. Some cases of gastritis are worsened by constipation. My recommendation is to eat yogurt every day to keep regular bowel movements. And YES, in some people, gastritis is activated by stress so avoid stressful situations if you are one of them. In my experience, the symptoms of gastritis are difficult to treat so be patient it will get better.

 

Source:

1. McNally Peter et al, GI/Liver Secrets third edition
2. Home-remedies-guide.com
3. MayoClinic.com

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Gastritis Symptoms and Treatments

Gastritis is a medical term which means that you have inflammation in the lining of your stomach.

The common symptoms of gastritis are, (1) feelings of indigestion in the stomach, (2) upset stomach, (3) no appetite, (4) vomiting, (4) feeling bloated and belching, (5) feelings of fullness in the stomach, and (6) weight loss that is unexplained.

What is Acute Gastritis

When a person has acute gastritis, it causes a lot of burning and discomfort in the stomach, whereas in chronic gastritis there is sometimes no symptoms or you lack appetite. Gastritis can be serious enough however, to cause bleeding. The blood can pass through stool or you may vomit it back up. If this serious symptom happens, you need to run to the doctor quickly and have it checked out since it is nothing to ignore.

The most common complication of gastritis is that it can cause not only bleeding, but stomach ulcers. This is the most important of reasons to have it treated.

Medications are Available

There are many medications out there that will help your gastritis pains. One of the drugs that you might be able to use is proton pump inhibitors like Nexium, which hold down the acid production in the stomach by blocking pumps that control the acid formation in your stomach.

Sometimes it is the bacteria H. Pylori that can bring on gastritis. If this has been determined, then two antibiotics will be prescribed to stop the infection along with a proton pump inhibitor.

Acid blockers also help a person with hyper acidity or gastritis. These are drugs like Gamete, Zaneta, or else Ax id. These medicines are only given if you have trouble getting complete relief from taking regular antacids.

Manta, and other antacids such as Maalox can also help with breaking down the acid in the stomach so that you have faster relief from your stomach pain from gastritis.

Treatment of Gastritis

Also, when treating your gastritis, there are things you can do at home to help yourself. Your diet should include foods that are free of high acid contents, and eating smaller portions also helps. Stuffing yourself full to the max will only make matters worse.

Keep your weight within a good normal range. Obesity causes more stomach-related problems than anything else.

Stress management and exercise is also important. Exercise helps the digestive system to work more efficiently and helps the intestines to move your food through your body in a more efficient manner. Stress reduction is also important since this can also conjure up acids in the stomach, causing them to work overtime.

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Few Words About Gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining, caused by a number of different factors, and damage can occur in forms of light to the lesion inflammation and ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. In any case, it is not a disease with which to reconcile and accept the situation as it is because the consequences of gastritis can be serious and far-reaching.

Symptoms and Causes

The symptoms of gastritis are abdominal pain or discomfort, weakened digestion, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

One of the causes of gastritis is the stress, stressful lifestyle, emotions that are not recognized, the manner in which we accept and embrace the emotions of our environment. Psychosomatics plays a major role in the etiology of gastritis.

The emphasis is, if it is gastritis, which has a psychosomatic basis, to alleviate the symptoms and not the permanent resolution of gastritis – it will permanently get rid of work on your emotions and purpose and help relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation, tai chi, and more)

Other Causes

Other causes of gastritis, but stress, modern medicine according to microbial infections (especially Helicobacter pylori), a long-term use of medication (usually nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-analgesics – aspirin, ibuprofen, ketonal and others).

Alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and fizzy drinks contribute to reinforce the symptoms as well as food that is difficult to digest with acid imbalance, expelled from the body creating balance too much stomach acid and the amount of them should be avoided.

In the event that confirmed the presence of H. pylori doctor will usually resort to antibiotic therapy, which takes at least 14 days and includes high doses of antibiotics and drugs that reduce stomach acid secretion (proton pump inhibitors).

Other drugs that alleviate symptoms include:

– Antacid: calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide with aluminum salts

– H2 receptor antagonists-ranitid, cimetidine, famotidine

– Proton pump inhibitors-omeprazole

As far as food is best to turn to those foods that will not cause symptoms and is generally to foods rich in fiber and lean foods, prepared in olive or other cold pressed and unrefined oil, and not to enter a substance that may irritate the stomach. As each of us a world in itself so I will know the best food that suits him and which I therefore do not adjust your diet.

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Does Your Baby Have Acid Reflux?

Ways to help your baby with acid reflux rather than medicine.

I have two children that have and do both suffer from “Acid Reflux”. Most people don’t realize that acid reflux hurts a baby more than it would hurt us. As it may not really be too painful for us, it is extremely painful for a baby. Not all babies suffer from it, and some babies have it worse than others may. Some people may believe that their child has colic rather than acid reflux due to all the crying the child may do.

Ways to determine if Acid Reflux is what your child has:

-Spitting up frequently or vomiting

-Your child may cry a lot and seem to be in pain

-Your child may hiccup more often

-Your child pay be refusing to eat / loss of appetite

-Your child may seem irritable while eating and arch his/her back

-Wet burps

-Frequent coughing

-Difficult sleeping

-Hoarse voice

However, some children show more frightening signs such as spells of not breathing, may seem to be having a hard time swallowing and respiratory problems such as pneumonia, wheezing, asthma and bronchitis. If you are experiencing problems such as these I would contact your pediatrician just to be positive that this is what is wrong with your child.

There are plenty of things to try and do to treat Acid Reflux rather than going right for the medicine as most doctor perscribe Zantac.

-If your child is formula fed you may want to try to switch to a more sensitive formula.

-Hold your baby upright during feedings, and for atleast 30 minutes after feedings.

-When you put your child to sleep, position your child on his back, and elevate the head of the bead. This will keep stomach contents where they belong.

-Do not overfeed your child. Smaller, but more frequent feedings. About every two to three hours when the child is awake will reduce the occurrence of reflux.

-Adding cereal to the formula or breastmilk (you will pump and add the cereal). It makes it thicker and will hold down better in your child’s belly.

-Giving your baby their bottle right out of the refrigerator and cold may help.

-A lot of people seem to think that Playtext drop-ins bottles and liners also helped their baby decrease the amount of acid reflux they were having.

If nothing that you do seems to work, your pediatrican may suggest something else, such as medicine and such.

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Can Vitamin C Help Cure Gastritis?

Gastritis is a common medical condition that affects millions of people. It is an inflammation within the lining of the stomach that is possibly caused by infections, irritants, backup of bile into the stomach and autoimmune disorders. People who have gastritis may develop peptic ulcers that eat away at the stomach lining and may affect the small intestine. If ulcers develop and are untreated, bleeding may occur. In many cases, no specific cause for the inflammation is found and no permanent damage is done to the stomach lining. The most common signs and symptoms associated with gastritis are heartburn, hiccups, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and dark colored stool.

Gastritis and Infection

As mentioned, gastritis can be caused by infection. The infection could be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic. Irritation to the stomach lining is another common cause for the development of gastritis. This irritation can be caused by many things. The long-term use of medications, including aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications, can cause an irritation. Consumption of alcohol, coffee and acidic beverages are also causes. Cigarette smoking has also been linked to gastritis. Many times when patients are stressed, their body will secrete gastric acid. This acid will irritate the lining of the stomach, causing gastritis.

Diagnosing gastritis consists of several tests that must be performed. Usually, the first test is an endoscopy of the stomach. During this procedure, a small tube is inserted down the throat into the stomach. A small camera is located at the tip of the tube, allowing doctors to visualize the walls and lining of the stomach. A biopsy may be taken at the same time if necessary. Other tests include stool tests, blood tests and breath tests. The stool test is helpful to determine if blood is present. Many times, a biopsy of the esophagus will be taken to determine the exact cause of the discomfort being experienced. Once the diagnosis of gastritis is made, there are various preventative methods and treatments.

Lifestyle Changes

It is suggested patients make lifestyle changes and avoid the use of irritants that could cause attacks of gastritis. Removing these irritants will help prevent the formation of ulcers. Many times, just removing these irritants from the patient’s life will cure the gastritis completely. In some cases, medications will be prescribed to relieve symptoms and treat infections or complications from present ulcers. Many patients opt to use herbal remedies to control gastritis. These herbs include asparagus, bitter chamomile, fennel, ginger, licorice, rhubarb and sandalwood. It is advised to keep your diet bland to reduce any further irritation to the stomach. Salt and spices will cause irritation and increase inflammation. Most patients are told to steer clear of salt. Some patients have found that eating a banana in the morning will help to reduce the acid in the stomach.

Aside from herbal cures, vitamins play a large role in relieving symptoms of gastritis. Vitamin C is one of the recommended vitamin supplements to use. Many people with chronic gastritis have a low level of vitamin C. this powerful vitamin is an antioxidant and neutralized acids in the stomach. In studies, the vitamin C reduced the infection caused by H. pylori, one of the most common infections causing gastritis. Vitamin C also absorbs iron and calcium salt in the body. These aggravate the digestive process. An increase of vitamin C can ease the process and calm the irritation in the lining of the stomach. Though it is not a cure for gastritis, vitamin C will make a significant difference for those who suffer with chronic gastritis.

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Build Up Your Immune System with Astragalus Root

Flu season is a good time to build up your immune system and Astragalus Root can help you build it up. It is a good immune booster if you have had chemo therapy recently or if you suffer from frequent illnesses like colds or flu. Astragalus root uses the bodies own abilities to rejuvenate and maintain good health. When you take Astragalus in pill or tea form every day you will stay healthier and have less illnesses.

The Astragalus plant

The Astragalus plant has an antibacterial and anti-inflamatory effect that can help boost your immune system. It also helps to eliminate fluid buildup in the body. You can take Astragalus root in a pill form or you can drink it as a tea. Astragalus root in tea form seems to work better but for some people it is easier to just swallow a pill. Astragalus in tea form tastes like drinking hot water. It has no bitter flavor in fact it has no flavor at all.

The Astragalus plant is a plant that is about 20-30 inches tall. It has hairy stems and pairs of leaves on each stem. The stem of the Astragalus plant can have between 12 and 18 pairs of leaves on it. The Astragalus plant makes a beautiful purpleish flower that is small and at the ends of the stems. Milk Vitch is another name for the Astragalus plant. It is a perenniel plant that means it comes back every year.

Where can you find the Plant

Astragalus plants are native in China, Mongolia and Korea. The Astragalus plant has been used as a healing herb since ancient times in the Orient. It is the root of the Astragalus plant that has the medicinal properties in it. The Astragalus root can be used in tea or in a pill form like a vitamin.

Astragalus root is also good for many other purposes like Anemia, Fatigue, colds, diarrhea, gastritis, influenza and fibromyalgia.

The tea made from Astragalus root is very clear and tasteless. You hardly know you are drinking anything that could be good for you. It seems like you are just drinking hot water. My son couldn’t believe that he was drinking anything that could help his immune system. He suffered from a continual cold but since he has been drinking Astragalus Root tea he has not had a cold. It has been months that he has drunk Astragalus Root tea and he has not had one cold. It works.You can find Astragalus Root in tea or pill form in your local health food store. Find out more about Astragalus Root at http://vitamins.ultimatefatburner/astragalus.

Stay healthier and feel better by drinking a cup of Astragalus tea every day. Or if you don’t like tea then you can take Astragalus in pill form. Take Astragalus every day for more energy and live a healthier life.

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Best Acid Reflux Natural Treatments

Acid Reflux is a curse for many people in this nation. Not only is Acid Reflux very painful, it is also one of the “un-treatable” things in the modern medicine. All you can really do to battle Acid Reflux medically is change your life style to discourage it, and take some antacids to counter the pain. This leads to a condition where every single mistake results in a return of Acid Reflux with a vengeance. One thing that is not very widely known is the fact that Acid Reflux can be easily countered by a variety of readily available and inexpensive natural cures.

Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux was a very uncommon thing around 30 years ago, and in past decade especially, has grown to unprecedented levels. However, we have many natural cures at our disposla for Acid Reflux today as well. So here are the best natural cures for Acid Reflux:

Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple Cider Vinegar has so many benefits that it’s hard to see why the medical world has not been reporting on it (maybe the money that the FDA and the doctors make off of the patients has something to with it). Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the easiest to use, cheapest, and the most effective cure for Acid Reflux.

Mix a teaspoon or two of Apple Cider Vinegar with water and just drink it. You can vary the concentration of the drink as per your taste and Apple Cider Vinegar drinking capabilities. You can add some cider to your food, and there are many different ways to add Apple Cider Vinegar. Try and take at least 2 teaspoons 3 times a day for one of the fastest natural cures of Acid Reflux.

Apples – Yup. One of the best natural treatments for Acid Reflux is just plain old apple. Eat a couple apples a day and you’ll be just fine. Even eating some slices before you go to bed is a great idea. The old saying – “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” still stands. This is by far the easiest treatment of Acid Reflux.

Lemon Juice and lemonade – This may sound paradoxical in that you are taking citric acid to treat acid reflux, but this really works. It causes your body to produce an alkaline response to the citric acid, and that completely overwhelms the reactions of Acid Reflux. Drink a glass of lemonade in the morning and you’ll be fine through the day. Finish the day with an apple. This simple addition to your diet will bring many more health benefits than just relief from Acid Reflux too.

Unflavored Yogurt – Start eating unflavored yogurt, and you should notice a big relief in your Acid Reflux within days. Yogurt has bacteria that help tighten the stomach walls and improve your immune system. This is a great natural cure for Acid Reflux. Try eating some with dinner everyday and you’ll be fine.

Cayenne Pepper – Another natural cure that has applications all across the board. This will make acid reflux and heart burn literally disappear within minutes. Take a cayenne pepper capsule with a glass of hot water. This is probably the fastest relief from Acid Reflux that you can get.

There you have it. The best natural cures for Acid Reflux. Remember to make adjustments in your diet and start working out regularly for long term benefits and treatment of Acid Reflux.

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Acid Reflux Part 1

If you’re like me, and a majority of other folks both in the US and around the world, you suffer from Acid Reflux Disease. It’s one of those diseases that seems incurable, and yet, there are various supplements available on the market to relieve the pain inflicted by these annoying eruptions. The unfortunate reality of it, though, is that no doctor, at least none that I have ever met, will dare mention alternative treatments to their suffering patients. Now what do I mean by alternative treatments, and what are the typical methods? Allow me to share my story with you, and you might just be in for a surprise.

Acid Reflux

When I first “contracted” acid reflux over a year ago, I didn’t know what it was at first. Sure, I knew people who had it, but they had serious cases. Not to be disgusting, but mine started with huge, voluminous burps and the regurgitation of bile, which was nothing like what my friends had suffered. However, the problem persisted for months, and eventually worsened, so much so that I couldn’t eat properly without severely hurting my throat. So I decided to take a visit to the doctor. He instantly suggested I take Nexium, one of the most recognized names in the “typical acid reflux treatment” genre. I’m sure none of us can think of a time when we turned on the television and didn’t see a three-minute commercial for this “purple pill.” Naively, I thought my doctor’s advice was quite sound. So, I took home a 14-day sample of Nexium and gave it a shot.

The first two mornings were relatively uneventful. I didn’t feel great, but I thought that was merely due to the fact that my acid reflux was still acting up. However, on the third morning, I threw up both of the pills, partially digested. I immediately called a nurse and demanded an explanation. So she sets me up for another appointment with the doc, who then insists that the medicine was simply too strong for me, therefore inferring that the previous mornings’ discomforts were apparently due to the Nexium, and not just my acid reflux.

What to do

But instead of taking a smart action and re-thinking dosing me with yet another prescription, my doctor immediately switches me over to a 14-day supply of Prilosec. He told me it carried about half the strength of Nexium, so I should be fine. He goes on to mention a few concerns about what the inside of my esophagus might be looking like by this point. He suggested I have it scoped – a procedure very expensive, but informative for most. I considered it for a while, but thought I’d try the Prilosec first. Not surprisingly, I was less than impressed at this medication as well, so I give in and have my esophagus scoped.

The day of the procedure, during the pre-surgery appointment, a digestive tract professional asks me a few questions about my eating habits, prescriptions, etc. He finds out that I was taking Tetracycline, for acne reduction purposes. The light bulb comes on. That’s my problem.

You see, most people take Tetracycline at my age, because that’s when acne is the worst. However, I was specifically instructed by my dermatologist to take it before bed. BIG, BIG MISTAKE. The pill will dissolve and instantly travel up the esophagus and begin the deterioration process. She should have known that; it would have saved my parents a bundle.

The sad reality

As you can imagine, my family and I are livid at this point. This problem could have possibly been avoided if not for that one mistake. But that was water under the bridge at this point. I go in for the scope. When the doc finally gets the results, he determines there were only a few inflamed parts of esophagus, nothing serious. He sends me home with the same information the doc gave me; take Prilosec. Only, instead of twice a day, he wanted me to take it with each meal. For anyone, especially at my age, this was outrageous. I would be hooked on prescriptions for life.

Seeing no alternatives in the near future, I took my Prilosec like a good girl. I even cut down on the ketchup and chocolate, seeing as there was nothing else on the list I could cut down on. I obviously didn’t drink, I didn’t smoke, and I wasn’t even close to overweight. But those foods had never really brought the problem on, so I thought, why bother cutting down again? I was so fed up with the whole thing that I became reasonably discouraged. And the Prilosec was helping only for as long as the pill lasted. The problems just got worse if I wasn’t taking them, as there was no healing process going on. The “over-the-counter prescription” was merely covering up the problem. So my family and I decided to do some research on the subject. What we found out blew our minds.

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