What is Gastritis?

People who deal with intestinal and digestion issues know that there are many different 
levels of it. One common thing is that medical conditions often go undiagnosed because 
the symptoms are similar for many other causes of those same symptoms. One 
condition that might contribute to worsening gut issues is gastritis.

About Gastritis

Gastritis is not actually one specific medical condition, but a term used for multiple 
conditions related to the stomach. Gastritis is used when the lining of the stomach 
becomes inflamed. The inflammation can range from mild to severe, depending on the 
cause and how long it has been going on for. Many people have gastritis, and don’t 
realize it, assuming they just have a sensitive stomach or ate something bad. Many gut 
issues are related to gastritis, but the good news is that it can be treated.

Causes of Gastritis

There are quite a few different things that can cause gastritis. Knowing your possible 
cause is the first way to determine the best way to treat it. A common cause is when 
you take anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin in large quantities, over a long 
period of time. Another common cause is when you drink very heavily or have high 
amounts of stress.

It is also possible that you have a bacteria in your stomach lining called H. Pylori. This 
doesn’t have many symptoms, except the symptoms of gastritis. The bacteria can lead 
to stomach ulcers and even stomach cancer if left untreated. 

Treating Gastritis

Once you figure out what caused your gastritis, you can then work on finding the right 
treatment. The great thing about gastritis is that it is not typically difficult to treat once 
your doctor helps you to narrow down why you got it in the first place. 

To start with, stop using anti-inflammatory drugs, not only because they might have 
caused your gastritis, but they can also make it worse. Switch to Tylenol instead since it 
is much gentler on your stomach. You should also stop other unhealthy habits like 
drinking alcohol and smoking.

Avoid drinking caffeine and limit your use of drinks with citric acid, like juice, energy 
drinks, and carbonated flavored water with citric acid. You should cut back on dairy, 
high-fat foods, and vegetables that cause a lot of gas, like broccoli. 

If your doctor finds the H. Plyori bacteria, they will provide you with a medication to help 
get rid of the bacteria, as well giving you some lifestyle changes to make. 
