Hard to find someone who has never heard of gastritis? And it is no accident! After all, according to data from the Brazilian Federation of Gastroenterology, 7 out of 10 Brazilians suffer from the problem.
Yes, many people suffer from gastritis, which is an infectious or inflammatory process in the stomach lining, even if some people are slow or have no symptoms.
But from the moment the patient begins to notice pain and discomfort, it is likely that the inflammation has evolved (triggered by external events), and it is from there that he tends to seek medical advice. Learn more about the causes, characteristics, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of gastritis.
Causes of Gastritis
These can be highlighted as the main causes of gastritis:
- Presence of bacteria, especially the Helicobacter pyloriin the mucosa of the stomach;
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Biliary reflux;
- Metabolic stress (burns and major surgery, for example);
- Alcohol, drug and cigarette abuse;
- Some foods or beverages (such as coffee and soda, for example);
- Autoimmune diseases.
Hermes Aguiar Júnior, gastroenterologist at the Santa Lúcia Norte Hospital in Brasilia, and a full member of the Brazilian Society of Gastroenterology, stresses that there are several causes of gastritis, the most common being caused by anti-inflammatory drugs and Helicobacter pylori.
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Types of Gastritis
In general, gastritis is usually classified into two groups:
- Acute Gastritis: It has sudden onset symptoms and is usually associated with poor diet, use of certain medications or emotional factors.
- Chronic gastritis: when inflammation is present for a longer time in the body.
However, as Aguiar Júnior explains, differently from what is thought, chronic gastritis is not a disease that has no cure. What characterizes the acute or chronic picture of gastritis is the type of inflammatory infiltrate, or white blood cells, that are found at the site on microscopic examination. If the cells present are neutrophils, gastritis is acute; if they are lymphocytes or plasma cells, is it characterized by chronic gastritis?
? There are still infectious gastritis caused by bacteria like Helicobacter pylori, spirochetes (syphilis), tuberculosis bacillus, fungi; and gastritis caused by chemical agents (medicines, caustics, alcohol and tobacco) ?, adds the gastroenterologist.
Gastritis Symptoms
Aguiar Júnior points out that the most common symptoms of gastritis are:
- Pain in the epigastrium ("mouth of the stomach"), with burning or cramping;
- Feeling of "stomach emptiness";
- Stacking (feeling of "heaviness in the stomach");
- Vomiting;
- Nausea;
- Eructation (belching).
The gastroenterologist points out that their symptoms and intensity vary from person to person. In addition, in some cases gastritis is asymptomatic.
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Diagnosis and Treatment
Aguiar Júnior explains that the diagnosis of gastritis is made by upper digestive videoendoscopy with macroscopic evaluation of the stomach by the endoscopist and removal of mucosal fragments for histopathological (microscopic) analysis.
Endoscopy biopsy is also important to accurately diagnose the disease and the degree of impairment.
Treatment
The gastroenterologist points out that the treatment of gastritis depends on its etiology. But, in general, can be cited as main forms of treatment:
- Medicines: • Most of the time we use acid secretion-lowering drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Esomeprazole and Rabeprazole), H2 antagonists (Ranitidine, Cimetidine) and antacids (aluminum hydroxide). In infectious gastritis do we add specific antibiotics ?, explains Aguiar Júnior.
- Change of habits: Avoiding alcohol, stopping smoking, not eating fried foods, very fatty foods and even acids are measures that contribute greatly to the improvement of symptoms. The guideline in most cases is to associate these changes with the indicated drug (s).
It is noteworthy that only the doctor can indicate the appropriate drug for you, as well as dosage and duration of treatment. Self-medication can often make the problem worse.
Also, strictly follow the doctor's directions? not only with regard to the use of medicines, but also to change habits? It is essential for successful treatment.
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Nervous gastritis exist?
Nervous gastritis It is a term widely used by the general population, but technically, this type of gastritis does not exist nor is there a precise and unique definition for its meaning.
It usually refers to the symptoms that appear with mood swings (anxiety, sadness, anger). ? But it is good to know that this stimulus intensity generates the symptoms but does not cause mucosal inflammation. So there is no "nervous gastritis". But is there stress gastritis, present, for example, in patients who suffer head trauma or major burns ?, adds the gastroenterologist.
Living with gastritis
Habit change is essential especially when gastritis symptoms are frequent and disrupt the patient's quality of life. Check out some important tips to help treat and / or avoid triggering symptoms:
- Avoid fried foods and very fatty foods;
- Avoid very acidic and spicy foods;
- Avoid coffee and soda;
- Do not consume too much sugar;
- Do not smoke;
- Chew food well;
- Avoid alcoholic beverages;
- Do not stay long without eating;
- Make conscious use of anti-inflammatory drugs (only when medically indicated);
- Avoid stress situations as much as possible.
In some cases, the gastroenterologist may indicate the use of medications to protect the stomach; however, they should be taken only if medical advice is given.
Risk factors
Learn what are the main risk factors for gastritis:
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Anti-inflammatory Usage: Inadequate use of some medications leads to irritation of the gastric mucosa, especially in people over 60 years.
Lack of basic sanitation: As Aguiar Júnior points out, the infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori It is closely related to the intake of unfiltered water and sewage treatment.
Bad hygiene habits: The bacteria can be transmitted through contaminated food and water, or from person to person. Therefore, basic hygiene care, such as washing your hands often and consuming only foods of good origin are important.
Alcoholic beverages: Excessive alcohol consumption irritates the stomach lining.
Smoking: Cigarette has detrimental action on all organs of digestive tract and increases acid production in the stomach.
Stress: Stress situations lead to greater release of hormones that increase the secretion of gastric juice, and may thus accentuate symptoms in those who already have gastritis.
Such factors, individually or associated with each other, can significantly increase a person's chances of developing gastritis.
Complications
Hermes Aguiar Júnior explains that the most common complication of acute gastritis is bleeding; and chronic gastritis, is gastric cancer. However, other factors must be involved for this type of complication, such as mucosal atrophy, the presence of intestinal metaplasia and bacteria. Helicobacter pylori?, he says.
"To assess the risk of progression to gastric cancer we used the classification of Olga (gastritis staging system) described in the histopathological report," adds the doctor.
Untreated gastritis can also cause ulcers. But overall, the treatment is successful, especially when the patient takes the gastroenterologist's directions seriously.
It is interesting, however, to start treatment as soon as possible. So in case of frequent symptoms? as burning, nausea, vomiting, among others? and / or very intense, do not hesitate to see your trusted doctor.
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