Gastritis: causes, symptoms, prevention, treatment

Gastritis is a disease caused by inflammation of the stomach walls. Due to the fact that the stomach lining no longer functions as it should, the digestive system is disrupted. The body experiences stress associated with improper functioning of the stomach. Ultimately, a person feels discomfort and pain, which leads to overexertion.

Causes of gastritis

This disease is associated with poor nutrition and overload of the body. To avoid the appearance of gastritis, and also to know what gives it its beginning, consider the main causes of its occurrence:

1. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori (Helicobacter pylori) is the most common and common cause of gastritis. It was discovered not very long ago, but as a result there was a breakthrough in medicine in the prevention of gastritis. Treatment of the disease has moved to the next stage. Helictobacteriosis (or disease with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori) partially damages the gastric mucosa, which entails its destruction. But bacteria do not always cause disease. Based on statistics, 90% of the planet's inhabitants have it. However, not everyone gets gastritis. The fact is that Helicobacter pylori is free in the stomach and does not cause illness until it is provoked by any reasons: low immunity, foreign objects in the stomach.
2. If a person suffers from a stomach disease, as a result of which the digestive tract does not move the contents correctly. In this case, the main factor provoking gastritis will be bile, which enters the intestines in large quantities. The point is that, like an acid, it corrodes the protective layer of the gastric mucosa. Then the gastric juice destroys its walls, causing burns. Basically, this development of the disease is typical for those who are nervous a lot. Due to excessive mental or physical stress, the functioning of the autonomic nervous system is disrupted.
3. Burn of the mucous wall of the stomach. Caused by alcohol abuse, or by poisoning with a harmful substance (acetic acid, alkali).
4. Poor nutrition.
5. Increased stomach acidity. Caused by stress and overload of the body.

Symptoms of gastritis

It is not always possible to immediately recognize whether a person is sick or not. However, untimely intervention leads to a deterioration of the condition and causes serious illnesses such as ulcers or even oncology.

In the initial stages of gastritis, the patient feels:

• unpleasant pressure in the upper abdominal cavity;
• abdominal pain;
• appears heartburn, unpleasant belching;
• the tongue becomes covered with a white coating;
• Nausea or even vomiting is possible;
• appears diarrhea;
• the temperature rises.

If you have identified at least a few signs, you need to consult a doctor. He will prescribe an examination for you and, based on the results, prescribe a full course of treatment.

What can you do for gastritis?

People with this type of disease should adhere to a strict diet. The diet will depend on what form of the disease he has. Gastritis is divided into several types: acute and chronic.

Acute gastritis or worsened chronic gastritis entail a strict diet. For weaker species, the diet may be more extensive. If acidity is high, it needs to be reduced. If the matter is atrophy of the mucous membrane, then it is worth making an effort to stimulate the functioning of the glands. However, gastritis in any form excludes alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, spicy, fatty, smoked and fried foods. Diets or preventive fasting (fasting days) are also excluded.

Basics of nutrition when sick:

• The kitchen should be different. The maximum amount of calories is 3000 per day.
• All food should be either steamed or baked. This way it will retain its beneficial qualities and be more easily absorbed by the body.
• With low acidity, omelettes, cottage cheese, vegetable purees, pureed soups and liquid porridges are welcome. Everything, as mentioned earlier, needs to be steamed. With high acidity, everything is a little more complicated, so the diet should only be prepared by a specialist.
• Food should be at room temperature before consumption.
• Salt is limited to a minimum, if possible it is better to eliminate it completely.
• You should eat in small portions, but more often.
• Don't eat proteins and carbohydrates at the same time.

What not to eat if you have gastritis

Gastritis is a disease that is caused by haste, unhealthy diet, and stress. Every day, millions of people do not notice how they are leading themselves to it. Quick snacks, lack of hot dishes in the diet, excessive smoking and caffeine consumption. All this slowly but surely provokes gastritis.

In order to reduce the symptoms of gastritis and get rid of it, you need to eat right. It is necessary to exclude from the diet:

• dishes with a high content of spices and pepper;
• alcohol, tobacco;
• fatty foods: lard, fried meat;
• exclude baked goods and fresh baked goods;
• rye bread;
• smoked meats, marinades.

Acute gastritis

Acute gastritis is a painful condition characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa. This happens mainly due to the fact that a person leads an unhealthy lifestyle. The body does not receive the required amount of vitamins and enzymes. Acute gastritis occurs as a result of overeating, excessive consumption of alcohol, antibiotics, acidity disorders, and poisoning. Impaired metabolism may also be the cause.

Acute gastritis is expressed in the process of inflammation of the entire stomach and intestines. This inflammatory process can spread both to the entire muscle layer and to the epithelium.

The chronic form is when the acute form continues for a long time (a week). This provokes an impetus for the appearance of a chronic type of disease. It can also be positioned as a result of poor nutrition and incomplete treatment. In addition, this form of the disease may be caused by a genetic predisposition.

Symptoms of acute gastritis:

• Diarrhea.
• Nausea.
• Weakness in the body, malaise.
• Whitish coating on the tongue.
• Heavy salivation.
• Burning in the stomach area.

The causes of acute gastritis are the same as for gastritis in general. Leads to it, recklessness. The person felt a little better, the treatment did not continue, and visits to the doctor were neglected. Hence, complications and all the ensuing consequences.

Diet for gastritis

As mentioned above, the diet is chosen based on the type of gastritis. Its observance is necessary both during the treatment process and in the short period after completion. The purpose of the diet is to improve the patient’s condition, improve the digestion process, and avoid relapse.

Diet for inflammation of the gastric mucosa

• Dietary boiled meat: chicken, turkey, rabbit meat. In order for the stomach to better absorb such a difficult product as meat, you should chew it very well. Or chop it in advance.
• Fish recommended for consumption: pink salmon, hake, tuna.
• Vegetable or fruit puree.
• Kissel.
• Light porridge with water.
• Reduce portion sizes and time between meals.

Diet for low acidity

This type of gastritis requires a special diet with a strict daily routine and meal schedule. These simple manipulations will help stabilize the production of gastric juice. Will normalize the level of acidity in the stomach.

Excluded from the diet: alcoholic beverages, grapes, everything fried and spicy; control over the amount of salt is important.

Food is taken in small portions 5 or 6 times a day. After the amendment, it is worth following this regimen for several more months to consolidate the positive result.

Treatment of gastritis

Treatment of gastritis comes down to eliminating the symptoms and causes of the disease in a short time and preventing relapse. How the treatment itself will proceed depends on what stage the disease is at and what form it has taken.

Treatment of gastritis with medications is prescribed by a doctor. It is carried out in a complex with the exclusion of causes that are causative agents of the disease.

To combat the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, antibiotics are used, as well as drugs that reduce the level of acidity in the stomach: Metronidazole, Gaviscon, Clarithromecin. The duration of treatment is up to two weeks. It all depends on how much damage is done to the body.

Omez or Pancreatin can reduce the level of acidity in the stomach. The use of these medications will help increase the effect of others, and also protect the walls of the stomach from burns.

There are hormones that reduce the excessive production of gastric juice, thereby protecting the mucous membrane. Such drugs are prescribed to everyone except pregnant women. Hormones help stimulate the uterus to give birth.

There are medications that act as protection for the walls of the stomach (Almogel, Phosphalugel). They create an additional layer on the walls, which helps protect them from the harmful effects of acid.

For gastritis caused by an autoimmune disease, treatment is carried out with the help of hormones that suppress the immune system, which in this situation have a negative effect.

Treatment of gastritis is a multi-level process, including: dietary nutrition, medication treatment, and boosting immunity. Gastritis, with a high incidence rate, is not a common disease. Therapy is required, since untreated gastritis leads to ulcers and cancer.

Treatment of gastritis with folk remedies

In folk medicine, the first aid for gastritis is herbal infusions. At the first symptoms, mint will help you. If the disease has already started, St. John's wort or plantain. After preparation, the decoctions are infused for several days in a dark place. Duration of use is two weeks.

To bring the acidity level back to normal, a decoction of yarrow, St. John's wort and mint in equal proportions will help. The infusion should be infused in a thermos for 24 hours. Application: every couple of hours, a few sips. Duration: two weeks.

Blueberry infusion will help relieve stomach pain. Tea on currant leaves will also relieve symptoms and relieve heaviness.

The following recipes will help you get rid of gastritis in an advanced stage:

• Beat 2 egg whites until foamy. Consume immediately before breakfast.  Application time is one and a half, two months. Just be careful, use only the product you are confident in its quality!
• Dissolve mummy in a small amount in a glass of water and drink before meals.
• A popular, effective method of getting rid of gastritis is green apple therapy. The apple is peeled and grated. In this form, they can be eaten in any quantity. However, it is worth remembering that before and after eating apples you cannot eat for five hours. During the first month of therapy, apples are eaten every day, the second - three times a week, the third - once a week. Avoid eating fruit at night.

Prevention of gastritis

It doesn’t take much to avoid such an unpleasant disease. Just patience and self-care. Particular attention to this issue should be given to people who are at risk of the disease, those who have already suffered from gastritis or who are predisposed to the chronic form.

Preventive measures are as follows:

• maintaining proper nutrition;
• proper physical activity;
• try to refrain from nervous overexertion;
• carefully monitor your immune system.

Prevention of a chronic disease should be aimed at avoiding exacerbation of gastritis and step-by-step recovery. In order to achieve results, it is necessary to use herbal medicine. The primary indicator is the psychological atmosphere.