Treating gastritis

Treatment aims to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach to relieve symptoms, allowing the stomach lining to heal and to tackle any underlying cause.

You may be able to treat gastritis yourself, depending on the cause.

Easing symptoms

  • antacids these over-the-counter medicines neutralise the acid in your stomach, which can provide rapid pain relief
  • histamine 2 (H2) blockers such asranitidine these medicines decrease acid production, and are available both over the counter and on prescription
  • proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such asomeprazole these medicines decrease acid production even more effectively than H2 blockers, and are available both over the counter and on prescription

Treating H. pylori infection

If you've been diagnosed with an H. pylori infection, you'll need totake a course of antibiotics alongside a medication called aproton pump inhibitor.

pylori infection .

What else can I do to help myself?

If you think the cause of your gastritis is repeated use of NSAID painkillers, try switching to a different painkiller that isn't in the NSAID class, such as paracetamol. You may want to talk to your GP about this.

Also consider:

  • eating smaller, more frequent meals
  • avoiding irritating (spicy, acidic or fried) foods
  • avoiding or cutting down on alcohol
  • managing stress (read our relaxation tips )
Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018