Acute gastritis

Acute Gastritis is a sudden inflammation or swelling in the lining of the stomach. It can cause severe and nagging pain. However, the disease is temporary and symptoms can be relieved after appropriate treatment.

Causes

Acute gastritis can be caused by several factors, including consumption of excessive alcohol, chronic vomiting, stress, and certain medications like aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs. It can also be caused by infections or bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori, which lives in the mucous lining of the stomach.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of acute gastritis include upper abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, it can also lead to bleeding in the stomach, which can be life-threatening.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of acute gastritis is typically made through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. These tests may include a gastroscopy, where a thin tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth to look at the stomach lining, and a biopsy, where a small sample of the stomach lining is taken for examination under a microscope.

Treatment

Treatment for acute gastritis usually involves taking antacids and other drugs to reduce stomach acid and thereby help relieve symptoms and promote healing in the stomach. In cases where gastritis is caused by H. pylori infection, a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be used.

Prevention

Prevention strategies for acute gastritis focus on modifying the risk factors. This includes limiting alcohol intake, avoiding use of NSAIDs, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy diet.

See Also

• Chronic gastritis
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Gastroenteritis