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Reviewed by: Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. The most common symptoms of gastritis patients are pain and/or discomfort in the upper abdomen.
In specific cases, medicinal treatment may be appropriate. Primarily, antibiotics are used to treat severe cases of H. pylori infection.
Most other medications are used to address the symptoms of gastritis, as the causes are sometimes not addressable.
For example, since pain relievers to treat another disease may cause gastritis, antacids and medications such as proton pump inhibitors/H-2 blockers can be used to lower stomach acid levels and decrease the weakening of the stomach lining.
In many cases, gastritis can be managed through diet.
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What Causes Stomach Inflammation?
There are many potential causes of stomach inflammation. It can stem from diet or medication use, as well as certain medical conditions and more.
Below are some of the most common causes of gastritis:
- Long-term use of certain medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- The presence of H. pylori bacteria
- Certain illnesses, such as diabetes or kidney failure
- Autoimmune disorders
- Persistent, intense stress that also affects the immune system
- Bile flowing into the stomach, or bile reflux
Other Food Causes
Gastritis is often caused by eating foods that exacerbate gastritis and its symptoms. Avoid eating spicy, fried, or fatty foods.
Acidic foods and alcohol are two of the most common types of food and beverages that irritate a stomach with gastritis.
Since everyone’s body is different and reacts uniquely to a range of food, patients suffering from gastritis may find benefit out of keeping a “food journal.” In this journal, you would list all the foods you consumed that day and highlight the ones that made the gastritis symptoms worse.
This way, you can connect your foods to their symptoms, rather than just guessing with your diet.
What Does Gastritis Feel Like?
The symptoms of gastritis will vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:
- Burning pain or aching in the upper abdomen that may get worse or better when eating
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling of fullness in upper abdomen after eating
Does Gastritis Go Away?
Acute gastritis that is exacerbated by certain medications or alcohol can go away in a matter of hours. But chronic gastritis can take months or even years to go away if it is not treated properly.
For example, without careful measurements taken, gastritis can take up to 4 days for the proton-pump inhibitor, such as Omeprazole, to take its full effect.
When gastritis is not properly managed by lifestyle changes, the addition of supplements, and the use of anti-acidic medication, further damage to the lining often takes place and could lead to more serious illnesses.
Read: Antral Gastritis: Signs, Symptoms and Treatments
Home Remedies For Gastritis
In many cases, gastritis can be managed using home remedies, specifically diet changes.
Diet changes for gastritis focus on alleviating the common causes of gastritis, and can be an effective gastritis treatment.
Please note that gastritis is a serious condition that should receive professional medical advice to ensure the best course of action is utilized.
A Gastritis Diet
As mentioned before, certain foods such as spicy, caffeinated, high-in-sugar content, and most importantly, highly acidic foods all contribute to the arrival and development of gastritis.
Eating a varied diet, including healthy foods from all of the food groups, is important for helping with gastritis, especially getting enough fruits, vegetables, and low-fat nutrient-dense fare.
White wheat flour, including breads, pasta, and rice are also beneficial. Choosing meats that are lower in fat content like chicken and turkey is also recommended.
Eating a diet low in fat, salt, and added sugar is an effective gastritis treatment in the long term.
Incorporating probiotic foods and avoiding raw vegetables and salads have been proven in previous studies to be beneficial for gastritis.
Regulation of bowel movements from foods such as canned or cooked vegetables, apples, and bananas, and avoiding vegetables that makes you gassy, helps.
Foods containing a rich portion of healthy fats, proteins, and foods low in fiber will further help protect the stomach lining.
Some great foods of these types include tofu, weak tea, pudding, creamy peanut butter, cage-free eggs, and pasture-raised chicken, lean, tender meats.
Read: Get Gastritis Treatment Online
Gastritis Treatments
Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria Food Treatments
The typical treatment of this bacteria is a combination of two antibiotics with an acid-suppressing drug. One study found that antibiotics eradication of H. pylori was more successful when kefir was consumed during treatment compared to the antibiotics treatment alone. Other fermented foods like kombucha, miso, kimchi, or tempeh are under further investigation if they have a positive effect on H. pylori eradication.
B12 Deficiency
Production of intrinsic factor is essential for vitamin B12 absorption. When the intrinsic factor producing cells in the stomach lining are damaged by gastritis, vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed through the intestinal tract. In this case, you have to receive B12 shots to provide this vitamin for your body. When vitamin B12 intake from food or supplements is low, one can develop B12 deficiency, causing serious conditions like pernicious anemia. Plants don’t make this vitamin; however, you can increase your intake by consuming eggs, dairy, meat and other animal food sources and from adequate supplements. The addition of probiotics increases the stomach’s ability to intake nutrients, including vitamin B12, making it a possible treatment for gastritis that is present with pernicious anemia.
-
Book on our free mobile app or website.
Our doctors operate in all 50 states and same day appointments are available every 15 minutes.
-
See a doctor, get treatment and a prescription at your local pharmacy.
-
Use your health insurance just like you normally would to see your doctor.
Meal Timing and Gastritis
A final aspect of the diet to examine is the importance of properly timing food consumption.
Eliminating food consumption right before sleeping is essential.
A general rule of thumb is to stop eating foods and only drinking water two hours before your expected bedtime.
Eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day is also better for a weak stomach than eating a traditional three meals a day. If you suffer from gastritis, try out some of the diet suggestions and see if they might improve your symptoms.
Whether experiencing indigestion or suffering from acute or chronic gastritis, watching your diet and following the proper dietary treatment can improve symptoms.
Continued inflammation and lasting effects can occur if not taken seriously. However, with the right treatment plan, the effects of gastritis can often be mitigated.
While these treatments listed above all have proven effective, consulting a physician for an accurate diagnosis before using most home remedies is the best course of action.
If you or a loved one is experiencing gastritis-like symptoms, you can make an appointment with your primary care physician or see schedule an urgent care appointment in order to be tested.
