Gastritis Specialist

What is gastritis?

Gastritis is a term for inflammation in the lining of your stomach. Acute gastritis comes on rapidly, while chronic gastritis symptoms gradually worsen over time. Typical symptoms of gastritis include:

• Upper abdominal discomfort
• Tenderness or pain in your stomach
• Indigestion
• Nausea and vomiting

You might get an unusual feeling of being overfull after eating. The discomfort in your upper abdomen may get worse when you eat, although some people find eating eases their symptoms.

An odd bout of indigestion or abdominal discomfort is probably not a cause for concern. However, if you're experiencing frequent or prolonged episodes of gastritis, you should contact GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, to find out the cause.

Left untreated, gastritis can lead to bleeding in the stomach and the development of ulcers. Chronic gastritis combined with excessive thinning of your stomach lining and cell changes may increase your risk of stomach cancer.

Why would I get gastritis?

Gastritis is most often due to a bacterial infection with H. pylori – the same bacteria that can trigger the development of stomach ulcers. It lives in the digestive tract, spreading via contact with infected food, drink, or people.

Other possible causes of gastritis include:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Overuse of pain medication
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Chronic stress
• HIV/AIDS
• Crohn's disease
• Parasitic infections

Gastritis is more likely to affect older people because the stomach lining thins with age.

To determine why you have gastritis, your provider at GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, performs a physical examination, looks at your medical history, and goes over all your symptoms with you. 

They may also test your blood, a stool sample, or your breath, get an X-ray or other diagnostic imaging scan, or perform an upper endoscopy.

What treatments are there for gastritis?

The treatment you require for gastritis depends on the cause but could include:

• Antibiotics for H. pylori infection
• Proton pump inhibitor medications
• Reducing alcohol intake
• Cutting out certain pain medications

You might find that making changes to your diet and adopting a healthier lifestyle relieves your gastritis. If you have an autoimmune disorder that's affecting your gastrointestinal tract, medications to treat the disease should help reduce your gastritis symptoms.

If gastritis is becoming a frequent problem, call GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.