Gastrointestinal Health: Understanding and Managing Gastritis

What is Gastritis?

Gastritis, a common gastrointestinal condition, refers to inflammation of the stomach lining. This lining forms a protective barrier against the stomach's digestive fluids, including stomach acid and enzymes.

Types of Gastritis

Gastritis can be acute, with sudden onset and short duration, or chronic, with gradual onset and potentially lasting for months or years.

Acute gastritis often results from the use of certain medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or from consuming alcohol excessively. Chronic gastritis, on the other hand, is frequently caused by bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders, or bile reflux from the small intestine.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Common symptoms of gastritis include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and bloating. Diagnosis involves a physical examination, medical history, and, in some cases, an endoscopy, which allows a gastroenterologist to visualize the stomach lining.