(ORDO NEWS) — Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The diagnosis is inherently purely histological, and it is considered incorrect to establish it without data from additional studies, and even more so at the initial appointment.
Gastritis can be acute if it occurs in the patient’s life for the first time, and chronic if, after an episode of acute inflammation of the gastric mucosa, similar complaints disturb the patient for a long time.
Gastroenterologist Karina Uvarova gave an interview to the Planet News website , in which she answered several important questions regarding gastritis.
Types of gastritis
Autoimmune gastritis (or type A), in which antibodies are formed in the body against the cells of the gastric mucosa, which contributes to the development of inflammation mainly in the body of the stomach.
Type B gastritis is gastritis associated with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which mainly affects the antrum of the stomach.
Gastritis type C (chemical-toxic), the cause of which is most often duodeno-gastric reflux, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or chemicals.
Symptoms of gastritis
The main manifestations of inflammation of the gastric mucosa include pain and dyspeptic syndromes. Pain in gastritis is usually noted in the upper abdomen (“under the spoon”) and occurs 1.5-2 hours after eating.
Pain can also disturb patients “on an empty stomach.” The pain can be in the form of spasms, acute, intense or dull, pressing.
Dyspepsia syndrome is manifested by heartburn, belching with air or sour, a feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea and vomiting.
Diagnosis of gastritis
For the diagnosis of gastritis, instrumental research methods are the most effective. First of all, this is an endoscopic examination, called fibro esophagogastroduodenoscopy, – thanks to it, it is possible to examine the mucous membrane of the upper gastrointestinal tract from the inside and, if necessary, take material for further research – to conduct a biopsy.
I repeat, the diagnosis of gastritis is correctly established only on the basis of a histological examination of biopsy specimens. Also, when examining the biopsy material, it is possible to determine the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is most often the culprit of inflammation of the mucosa of the organ.
To assess the motor function of the stomach, it is possible to use an x-ray examination, but this method is not suitable for determining the type of gastritis.
Can gastritis be cured
Gastritis is undoubtedly curable, although there are certain difficulties in the treatment of autoimmune gastritis, the exact causes of which are unknown and, accordingly, it is not possible to eliminate them.
In general, the treatment of gastritis, like any other disease of the internal organs, includes non-drug and drug therapy. The basis of non-drug intervention is the correction of the patient’s nutrition – during the period of exacerbation, it is recommended to exclude foods that increase the secretion of gastric juice.
It is also necessary to eat food in small portions, but often – 4-5 times a day. Of course, alcohol consumption is significantly limited. During the period of remission of the disease, it is recommended to use products that do not cause pain and dyspeptic symptoms in a particular patient.
Drug therapy of gastritis is mainly indicated during periods of exacerbation of the disease and includes several groups of drugs: antisecretory, drugs for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, antispasmodics, prokinetics, gastroprotectants and others.
What happens if gastritis is not treated
Untimely treatment of gastritis or its absence at all is fraught with consequences. In the absence of effective treatment of autoimmune inflammation of the gastric mucosa and gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori, the natural stages of the further progression of the disease are atrophy of the mucous membrane with the subsequent development of precancerous changes in it.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.