GASTRITIS
What are the Symptoms of Gastritis?
The most common symptoms are stomach upset or pain. You may also experience belching, abdominal bloating, nausea, and vomiting or a feeling of fullness or of burning in your stomach. If you see blood in your vomit or stool, your stomach lining may be bleeding a bit.
How is Gastritis Diagnosed?
Gastritis is diagnosed through one or more medical
tests:
Gastroscopy - The
doctor eases a gastroscope, a thin tube containing a tiny camera,
through your mouth and down into your stomach to look at the
stomach lining. The doctor will check for inflammation and may
remove a tiny sample of tissue for tests. This procedure to
remove a tissue sample is called a biopsy.
Blood test -
The doctor may check your red blood cell count to
see whether you have anemia, which means that you do not have
enough red blood cells. Anemia can cause gastritis.
Stool test -
This test checks for the presence of blood in your
stool, a sign of gastritis
What is the Treatment for Gastritis?
Treatment usually involves taking antacids and other drugs to reduce stomach acid and thereby help relieve symptoms and promote healing. (Stomach acid irritates the inflamed tissue in the stomach.) You will also need to avoid any foods, beverages, or medicines that cause symptoms. If smoking is the problem, you should quit.
If your gastritis is related to an illness or infection, that problem will have to be treated as well. For example, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to clear up a bacterial infection or vitamin B12 to treat anemia. Once the underlying problem disappears, the gastritis usually does, too. Talk to your doctor before stopping any medicine or starting any gastritis treatment on your own.
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