Acute Gastritis Definition: Gastritis is a condition in which the stomach lining - known as the mucosa - is inflamed.

The stomach lining contains special cells that produce acid and enzymes, which help break down food for digestion, and mucus, which protects the stomach lining from acid. When the stomach lining is inflamed, it produces less acid, enzymes, and mucus.

Gastritis, an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach, is not a single disease. Rather, gastritis is a condition that has many causes. Common to all people with gastritis is pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly (abdomen), also called dyspepsia. Gastritis can be a brief and sudden illness (acute gastritis), a longer-lasting condition (chronic gastritis), or a special condition, perhaps as part of another medical illness.

An example of acute gastritis is stomach upset that may follow the use of alcohol or certain medications such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach. Infection with this bacteria may lead to chronic gastritis. Gastritis is a common medical problem, with up to10% of people who come to a hospital emergency department with the complaint of abdominal pain being ultimately diagnosed with gastritis.

Gastritis Causes
Gastritis is associated with various medications, medical and surgical conditions, physical stresses, social habits, chemicals, and infections. Some of the more common causes of gastritis are listed here.

Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff

Stomach and pyloric valve

Digestive Health

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Sign up now Gastritis describes a group of conditions with one thing in common: inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The inflammation of gastritis is often the result of infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. However, other factors such as injury, regular use of certain pain relievers or drinking too much alcohol also can contribute to gastritis. Gastritis may occur suddenly (acute gastritis) or it can occur slowly over time (chronic gastritis). In some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn't serious and improves quickly with treatment.

Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff Digestive Health
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Sign up now The signs and symptoms of gastritis include:

A gnawing or burning ache or pain (indigestion) in your upper abdomen that may become either worse or better with eating

Nausea Vomiting A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating Gastritis doesn't always cause signs and symptoms. When to see a doctor Nearly everyone has experienced a bout of indigestion and stomach irritation. Most cases of

indigestion are short-lived and don't require medical care. But if you experience signs and symptoms of gastritis consistently for a week or longer, see your doctor. And be sure to tell your doctor if you experience stomach problems after taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, especially aspirin or other pain relievers. If you are vomiting blood, you have blood in your stools or your stool appears black, see your doctor right away to determine the cause.

Acute gastritis is stomach inflammation that develops quickly and lasts for a short period of time.

Acute gastritis is the sudden onset of a medical condition in which the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed, leading to irritation that results in a burning ache or pain in a sufferer's upper abdomen. Acute gastritis develops when the stomachs mucus lining, which protects the walls of the stomach from the acids that assist in the digestion of food, becomes weakened or damaged. Gastritis can be termed "acute," meaning it is rapid and abbreviated in its onset; subacute, which means the onset changes less rapidly and has a longer lifespan; or chronic, meaning the condition is of indefinite duration and may have almost no change.

Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staff Digestive Health
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Sign up now Factors that increase your risk of gastritis include: Bacterial infection. People infected with Helicobacter pylori can experience gastritis most commonly chronic gastritis. Half the world's population is thought to be infected with this bacterium, which is thought to pass from person to person. But the majority of those infected don't experience any complications of H. pylori infection. In some people, H. pylori may break down the stomach's inner protective coating, causing changes in the stomach's lining. The reason why some people experience complications from H. pylori infection, such as gastritis and ulcers, and others don't isn't clear. However, doctors believe vulnerability

to the bacterium could be inherited or it could be caused by lifestyle choices, such as smoking and high stress levels. Regular use of pain relievers. Common pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), can cause both acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. Using these pain relievers regularly or taking too much of these drugs may reduce a key substance that helps preserve the protective lining of your stomach. Stomach problems are less likely to develop if you take pain relievers only occasionally. Older age. Older adults have an increased risk of gastritis because the stomach lining tends to thin with age and because older adults are more likely to have H. pylori infection or autoimmune disorders than younger people are. Excessive alcohol use. Alcohol can irritate and erode your stomach lining, which makes your stomach more vulnerable to digestive juices. Excessive alcohol use is more likely to cause acute gastritis. Stress. Severe stress due to major surgery, injury, burns or severe infections can cause acute gastritis. Bile reflux disease. Bile a substance that helps you digest fats is produced in your liver and stored in your gallbladder. When it's released from the gallbladder, bile travels to your small intestine through a series of thin tubes. Normally, a ring-like sphincter muscle (pyloric valve) prevents bile from flowing into your stomach from your small intestine. But if this valve doesn't work properly, or if it has been surgically removed, bile can flow into your stomach, leading to gastritis. Your own body attacking cells in your stomach. Called autoimmune gastritis, this type of gastritis occurs when your body attacks the cells that make up your stomach lining. This produces a reaction by your immune system that can wear away at your stomach's protective barrier. Autoimmune gastritis is more common in people with other autoimmune disorders, including Hashimoto's disease and type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune gastritis can also be associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency. Other diseases and conditions. Gastritis may be associated with other medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease and parasitic infections.

Homeopathic Treatment, Cure & Medicines

Hpathy Ezine - June, 2007

Gastritis
Acute & Chronic Gastritis -- Dr. Rehana Khan

What is Gastritis?
Gastritis is an inflammation, irritation or erosion of the stomach mucosa. Gastritis is not one disease but a group of conditions, which are characterized by inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Gastritis can broadly be divided into acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. Acute Gastritis: Acute gastritis is a sudden inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Acute gastritis is a term covering a broad Spectrum of entities which include inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa. Inflammation of the whole stomach is called PANGASTRITIS and an inflammation of a part of stomach is called ANTRAL GASTRITIS. Acute gastritis can divided into:
1. Erosive 2. Non-erosive

Causes include medications, alcohol, eating or drinking corrosive substances, extreme physiological stress, and infections. Acute gastritis is often associated with a severe, acute illness, or trauma. The risk factors include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (NSAIDs), recent heavy alcohol use, and physiological stress such major surgery, head trauma, renal failure, liver failure, or respiratory failure.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Gastritis?

The signs and symptoms of gastritis include:
A gnawing or burning ache or pain in the upper abdomen that may become either worse or better after eating. Loss of appetite. Bloating: A feeling of fullness in upper abdomen after eating Weight loss.

 Belching: Belching either does not relieve the pain or relieves it only briefly. Nausea and vomiting: The vomit may be clear, green or yellow, blood-streaked, or completely bloody, depending on the severity of the stomach inflammation.

In more severe gastritis, bleeding may occur inside the stomach. Any of the following symptoms can be seen as well as those already mentioned.

Pallor, sweating, and rapid (or "racing") heart beat. Feeling faint or short of breath Chest pain or severe stomach pain Vomiting large amounts of blood Bloody bowel movements or dark, sticky, very foul-smelling bowel movements

How Gastritis is Diagnosed?

Gastritis is diagnosed on the basis of medical history and physical examinations of the patient and the following tests: Blood tests. Blood test to detect presence of H. pylori antibodies. A positive

test shows that you've come in contact with the bacteria at some time in your life, but it doesn't necessarily indicate current infection. Blood tests can also check for anemia, which may result from stomach bleeding associated with gastritis.

Stool tests. To check H. pylori presence in a sample of stool. A positive result

shows current infection. Test for the presence of blood in stool, a sign of gastric bleeding.

Upper gastrointestinal X-ray. After swallowing barium liquid which coats the

lining of digestive tract, it is easier to check signs of gastritis and other digestive problem.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. On taking X-ray if gastritis is still

doubtful then we will go for endoscopy. This procedure allows seeing abnormalities in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract that may not be visible on X-rays. If any tissue in your upper intestinal tract looks suspicious, your doctor can remove a small sample (biopsy) using instruments inserted through the endoscope. The sample is then sent to a lab for examination by a pathologist. Risks of the procedure are rare and include bleeding and perforation of the stomach lining. The most common complication is a slight sore throat from swallowing the endoscope.

What is the Treatment of Gastritis?

Conventional/Allopathic Treatment Treatment depends upon the cause of gastritis. It may include lifestyle changes, medication or rarely surgery. Medication includes, Antacids, H2 blockers, Proton pump inhibitor, Antibiotics, antidiarrheal agents etc. In some patients the side effects of these drugs may seen: Antacids: Antacids containing Aluminum and Magnesium are given but

contraindicated in documented hypersensitivity, it cant be safely used in pregnancy as it decreases effect of allopurinol, amprenavir, chloroquine, corticosteroids, diflunisal, digoxin, ethambutol, iron salt, H2 antagonists, isoniazid, penicillamine, phenothiazines, tetracycline, thyroid hormones & ticlopidine; increases effect of benzodiazepines & amphetamine; may cause Aluminum toxicity with ascorbic acid. Magnesium containing antacids may cause diarrhea and may lead to dehydration. Patient having history of gastrointestinal bleeding can not take Aluminum and Magnesium containing antacids. H2 Blockers: Cimetidine [Tagmet] is commonly given to the patient, it may

lead to confusional states; may cause impotence and gynaecomastia in young males. Proton Pump Inhibiters: Omeperozol [Prilosec] drug given to patients may

increase toxicity of warfarin, digoxin and phenytoin. Antibiotics: Amoxicillin [Amoxil, Trimox], is contraindicated in hepatic

dysfunction. It reduces efficacy of oral contraceptives. Tetracycline used during teeth development can cause permanent discoloration of teeth. Antidiarrheal Agents: They are used along with antibiotics and proton pump

inhibitors/H2 Receptor Antagonists to eradicate H.Pylori. Administration along with anticoagulants may increase risk of bleeding. It may cause darkening of tongue and black stool which is temporary.