Gastritis

Gastritis includes any condition that causes inflammation of the stomach. Hussein Abidali, DO, and the gastroenterology team at Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc. in Rancho Cucamonga, California, takes a patient-centered approach to gastritis, focusing on finding and treating the root cause of your gastritis, benefitting your whole health. To learn more about gastritis and your treatment options, call the office or request an appointment online today.

What is gastritis?

Gastritis is a general medical term that means inflammation of the stomach. Your stomach is part of your digestive system and secretes a highly acidic substance that helps break down food before it moves to the small intestine.

Your stomach has a protective lining called mucosa that prevents the strong acids from damaging the stomach tissue. However, if your mucosa is weak or damaged, then inflammation may occur.

Gastritis may happen suddenly (acute gastritis) or gradually over time (chronic gastritis).

What causes gastritis?

Many conditions cause gastritis. Common causes include:

• Excessive use of alcohol
• Long-term use of certain over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
• Smoking
• Stress
• Eating spicy foods
• Autoimmune disorders
• Abdominal surgery or injury
• Pernicious anemia
• Bile duct reflux

You can also develop gastritis from an infection. Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria and one of the most common causes of chronic gastritis. 

What are the symptoms of gastritis?

Gastritis symptoms vary. Some people feel a steady ache or pain in the upper abdomen, while others may feel full all the time. People with gastritis may also have nausea and vomiting or a poor appetite.

Gastritis may also cause bleeding, which may lead to blood in your vomit or stool.

What are the treatments for gastritis?

The team at Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc. customizes your gastritis treatment plan after running various tests to determine the cause. Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc. is a state-of-the-art gastroenterology practice that uses innovative diagnostic tools to find the cause of your symptoms. 

In most people, gastritis isn’t serious and improves quickly.

Depending on the cause, your provider may recommend diet changes or prescribe medications such as antibiotics, antacids, or proton pump inhibitors (PPI).

Though gastritis isn’t always a serious health issue, it causes symptoms that are similar to other, more serious conditions. The team at Hussein Abidali, DO, Digestive Health Inc. recommends you schedule a consultation if you have abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.

To schedule your gastritis evaluation, call Hussein Abidali, DO, Digestive Health Inc., or request an appointment online today.