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Gastritis
Gastritisisinflammation(irritation)ofthestomachlining.Thismaybecausedbymanyfactors includinginfection,alcohol,particularmedicationsandsomeallergicandimmuneconditions. Gastritiscanbeeitheracute(withsevereattackslastingadayortwo)orchronic(withlong-term appetitelossornausea).Inmanycases,gastritishasnosymptoms(asymptomatic). Someforms,includingchronicatrophicgastritis,havebeenassociatedwithanincreasedriskof stomachcancer.Treatmentoptionsincludeavoidingexposuretoknownirritantsandtaking medicationtoreducetheamountofgastricjuices. Symptoms Inmanycases,gastritishasnosymptoms.Commonsymptomscaninclude: Lossofappetite Painintheupperabdomenjustundertheribs Nauseaorindigestion Hiccups Vomiting Bloodinthevomit Bloodinthebowelactions,ifthestomachlininghasulcerated(thisturnsstoolsblackand iscalledmelaena) Weightloss.

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The stomach Thestomachisanorganofthedigestivesystem,locatedintheabdomenjustbelowtheribs. Swallowedfoodismixedwithgastricjuicescontainingenzymesandhydrochloricacid.Theliningof thestomach,calledtheepithelium,islayeredwithmultiplefolds.Theepitheliumiscoatedwith mucus(gastricmucosa)secretedbyspecialglands.Inflammationcausedbygastritisoccursinthis lining. A range of causes Gastritiscanbecausedbymanydifferentfactors,including: Medicationssuchasaspirinandnon-steroidalanti-inflammatorydrugs(NSAIDS) InfectionwiththeHelicobacter pylori bacteria,theorganismresponsibleforthemajorityof stomachandduodenalulcers Alcohol Protractedvomiting Overproductionofgastricjuices,whichisastressresponseinsomepeople Thebackflowofbilefromthesmallintestine(duodenum) Someallergicandimmuneconditionsforexample,perniciousanaemia Exposuretoradiation.

Diagnosis Diagnosinggastritisinvolvesavarietyoftests,including: Endoscopyathinflexibletubeisthreadeddowntheoesophagusintothestomach.The endoscopeisfittedwithasmallcamerasothephysiciancanlookatthestomachlining.If thegastricmucosaisreddened,thismayindicategastritis.Abiopsyisneededfor confirmation. Biopsysmalltissuesamplesaretakenduringanendoscopyandtestedinalaboratory. Thepathologistwilllookforchanges,includingthepresenceofinflammatorycellsand epitheliumdamage.

Gastritis

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Treatment Treatmentforgastritismayinclude: Identifying the causeoncethecauseisidentified,stepscanbetakentoavoid exposure.Forexample,ifalcoholistriggeringtheinflammation,youcanabstainorreduce theamountofalcoholyoudrink.Anti-inflammatorydrugstakentohelpmanageother conditionsmayneedtobestoppedorreplacedwithanalternative. Medicationstabletsareavailabletoreducetheacidcontentinthegastricjuices.You mayneedtotakethesemedicationsforafewweeksormonths,dependingonyour situation. Dietary modificationssuchaslimitingoravoidingalcoholandcaffeine,whichcan irritatethestomachlining. No treatment oftengastritisisfoundbychanceduringanendoscopy.IfHelicobacter pyloriisnotpresent,andtherearenootherfeaturesseenonbiopsy,thereisusuallyno needtotreatthegastritis.

Helicobacter pylori infection TheHelicobacter pylori bacteriumcausesgastritisandisalsoresponsibleformostpepticulcers.A pepticulcerisaholeintheliningofthestomach,duodenumoroesophagus.Helicobacter pylori bacteriumisthoughttobeacauseofindigestionandacontributingfactorinthedevelopmentof stomachcancer. Thegermsliveintheliningofthestomachandthechemicalstheyproducecauseirritationand inflammation.Diagnosisincludesaspecialbreathtesttocheckforgaseousby-productsofthe bacteria.Treatmentincludesacombinationofdifferentantibiotics,followedbybreathteststo makesurethemedicationhasworked. Where to get help Yourdoctor NurseonCallTel.1300606024forexperthealthinformationandadvice(24hours,7 days) Gastroenterologist

Things to remember

Gastritisisinflammation(irritation)ofthestomachlining. Commoncausesincludeinfection,anti-inflammatorydrugsandalcohol. Treatmentoptionsincludeavoidingexposuretoknownirritants,andmedicationtoreduce theamountofgastricjuices.

This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:

CanberraHospital-GastroenterologyUnit

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Gastritis

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