Gastritis
Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. This is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which has recently become more and more widespread.
Given that the stomach is a key link in the breakdown of food entering the body, it is understandable why gastritis affects not only the entire gastrointestinal tract, but also all systems of the body without exception, significantly reducing the patient's quality of life.
The cause of gastritis
For a long time, it was believed that the main cause of gastritis is nutritional errors and constant psycho-emotional stress. However, Australian scientists Robin Warren and Barry Marshall, in the course of their studies, including on themselves, have convincingly proved that Helicobacter pylori plays a leading role in the occurrence of gastritis.
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that has managed to adapt to high acidity and lives in the mucous membrane of the human stomach, adjoining there as if nothing had happened with the glands secreting caustic hydrochloric acid. Infection occurs from person to person, presumably through the oral-oral route: through common dishes, toothbrushes, kisses, etc. Before the discovery of Warren and Marshall, this was considered impossible, it was assumed that the hydrochloric acid of the stomach destroys absolutely all microorganisms. In 2005, scientists received the Nobel Prize for their discovery, as it allowed them to develop an effective treatment for gastritis and stomach ulcers.
However, gross dietary bias and exposure to stress are the prerequisites that allow Helicobacter pylori to multiply and lead to gastritis. Otherwise, it all comes down to carriage, in which the bacterium is contained in the stomach in small quantities, and does not lead to disease. The fact is that Helicobacter pylori is one of the most widespread bacteria in the world, about two-thirds of the world's population is infected with it, and the prevalence of gastritis, although high, is still much lower.
Types of gastritis
By the nature of the course, acute gastritis and chronic gastritis are distinguished.
By the type of inflammation, gastritis is divided into the following forms:
- Erosive (hemorrhagic) gastritis, in which bleeding erosions form on the gastric mucosa;
- Superficial gastritis, in which only the upper layer of the mucous membrane is involved in the process;
- Atrophic gastritis;
- Hypertrophic gastritis;
- Gastritis with increased secretion of gastric juice;
- Gastritis with decreased secretion of gastric juice.
Different forms have different symptoms of gastritis.
Symptoms of gastritis
Acute gastritis has a sudden onset. Usually, an attack of gastritis begins 20-30 minutes after eating, and almost always food that is heavy for the stomach: fatty, fried, smoked food, drinking alcohol, eating fast food, or simply overeating.
An attack of acute gastritis is accompanied by intense dull pain in the epigastrium (upper abdomen located directly under the sternum), nausea, bloating, heartburn, belching and other dyspeptic symptoms. In the absence of treatment, the symptoms of acute gastritis gradually subside on their own, but this should not be misleading, since in this case, acute gastritis almost always turns into a chronic form.
Chronic gastritis proceeds in waves, with periods of remission and exacerbation. During remission, gastritis symptoms are either absent or mild. During an exacerbation, chronic gastritis proceeds in the same way as acute, except that the patient himself is no longer new to the symptoms of gastritis. Symptoms of chronic gastritis may be less intense than symptoms of acute gastritis, although the attack is different.
Symptoms of gastritis with increased secretion of gastric juice differ in that they are characterized by the so-called hunger pains: pain occurs 2-3 hours after the last meal, and subside after the patient eats or takes an antacid drug. Symptoms of gastritis with low acidity, on the contrary, manifest themselves as "satiated" pains: pain occurs 20-30 minutes after eating, or even immediately after eating.
If untreated, the disease progressively progresses, and some types of chronic gastritis can degenerate into stomach cancer (atrophic gastritis), and some give rise to stomach ulcers (erosive gastritis).
Gastritis treatment
The effective treatment of gastritis, taking into account its etiology, was proposed by all the same Robin Warren and Barry Marshall, proving its effectiveness on themselves. The basis for the treatment of gastritis is a course of antibiotic therapy with drugs to which Helicobacter pylori is sensitive (Barry Marshall used Metronidazole for himself) and a drug containing bismuth salts. The antibiotic destroys Helicobacter pylori, and bismuth salts help to heal the resulting defects in the gastric mucosa.
Additionally, drugs can be prescribed that reduce the secretion of gastric juice, pain relievers and antispasmodics. However, it must be taken into account that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which patients themselves like to prescribe to themselves, are categorically unsuitable for the treatment of gastritis, seeking pain relief. These drugs (especially Aspirin, Indomethacin, Ketoprofen) themselves are a factor in an increased risk of gastritis, as they irritate the gastric mucosa.
During the period of remission of chronic gastritis, treatment of gastritis with the use of mineral waters is effective, for which the patient is usually prescribed a spa treatment.
Diet for gastritis
Treatment of gastritis is ineffective without diet. Diet for gastritis, especially with chronic gastritis, should become a way of life, at least for the period until a stable remission is achieved, which is not interrupted for one to two years.
The gastritis diet is an important adjunct to gastritis treatment, and should include the following rules:
- Compliance with a clear diet: four to five meals a day in small portions, at regular intervals, at the same time of the day;
- Severe restriction of a number of products: fatty, fried, spicy, salty, spicy food, smoked meats, industrially prepared food (excluding baby food), fast food, alcohol, carbonated drinks, concentrated fruit juices, chocolate, canned food, strong coffee, tea;
- Products are used thermally processed, but gentle methods: cooking, stewing, baking, steaming;
- During the period of remission, the gastritis diet allows the use of a certain amount of fresh vegetables and fruits, excluding vegetables with a burning taste. It is advisable that fresh vegetables and fruits are either chopped in a blender, or grated, or thoroughly chewed;
- During an exacerbation of chronic gastritis or an attack of acute gastritis, food should be taken homogenized, that is, homogeneous, in the form of mashed potatoes or thin gruel.
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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
