Gastritis symptoms, like stomach pain, bloating, loss of appetite and nausea, can vary from person to person depending on the underlying cause of the condition. Symptoms can come on quite suddenly and last for days to weeks, or they can develop gradually and worsen overtime, lasting for months at a time.
Gastritis is characterized by the inflammation of the lining of stomach. This condition is commonly caused by excessive alcohol intake, chronic stress, use of anti-inflammatory drugs, or infections.
Gastritis symptoms that are mild can often be relieved with diet changes, rest and hydration. However, symptoms that do not resolve on their own and are impacting your activities of daily living (sleeping, eating, working etc) should be assessed and treated by your family doctor or a gastroenterologist.
Main symptoms
Gastritis symptoms include:
- Sharp stomach pain
- Bloating that is uncomfortable
- Headache and general malaise;
- Frequent belching;
- Loss of appetite;
- Vomiting
- The feeling that your stomach is full
- Nausea
Gastritis symptoms can be quite uncomfortable and can persist even after taking antacids such as Pepto-Bismol or Gaviscon. Therefore, if your symptoms do not resolve on their own, you should be assessed by your doctor or gastroenterologist. Once the cause of your gastritis is identified, appropriate treatment can be started.
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If you suspect you may be experiencing gastritis, enter your symptoms below:
Please note that this quiz is just a guidance tool, and does not replace a consult or diagnosis from your doctor.
Confirming a diagnosis
A gastritis diagnosis is typically initiated with an assessment of the patient's symptoms, medication use, stress levels and digestive issues.
If gastritis is suspected, the doctor may order an endoscopy, which is a procedure that involves inserting a small camera down the throat and into the stomach to examine the inner walls of the stomach. Through this exam, the doctor can assess the stomach tissue and determine whether H. pylori bacteria, a common cause of gastritis, may be present within the stomach.
An H. pylori infection can be confirmed by performing a urease test. The doctor retrieves a small sample of stomach cells during the endoscopy, and places it in a test tube containing urea and a pH indicator. A positive test will change the test tube color from yellow to pink, thus indicating an H. pylori infection. Learn more about the other causes and types of gastritis.
In addition to these tests, the doctor may also order blood work to test for anemia or other infections, as well as a stool test to check for any signs of bleeding along the digestive tract.
Also recommended: Chronic Gastritis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Risk Factors tuasaude.com/en/chronic-gastritisTreatment options
Gastritis symptoms can often be relieved through diet changes, like reducing your intake of alcohol, fatty food, and spices. Eating smaller meals on a more frequent basis can also help to prevent flare-ups and worsening of symptoms. Read more about the gastritis diet your doctor may recommend.
More moderate to severe symptoms may require more targeted gastritis treatment with medications, like proton-pump inhibitors, H2-blockers and antacids to help reduce or neutralize stomach acid. Antibiotics may also be prescribed (especially if an H. pylori infection is confirmed) to help eliminate the bacteria causing the stomach inflammation.