Introduction

What are gastrites (plural of gastritis)?

Gastrites are an inflammation of the mucosa (inner lining) of the stomach. They can be acute or chronic.

What is acute gastritis?

Acute gastritis is a sudden inflammation of the mucosa of the stomach.

What causes acute gastritis?

Some of the causes are:

  • Overloading the stomach by eating excessive amounts of fatty or spicy foods, or consuming too much alcohol.
  • Food poisoning, which can be caused by bacteria such as staphylococcus, salmonella etc, which are agents that produce exo and endotoxins, which in turn cause the inflammation. The causative agents may also be viruses.
  • Certain medication, especially NSAID drugs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)(including ibuprofen, voltaren, etc), corticosteroids.
  • Acute gastritis can be caused by aspirin, and this case it is called erosive gastritis.
  • Accidentally ingesting corrosive substances (hydrogen chloride, sulfuric acid, etc).
  • Other factors such as exposing the stomach to extreme temperatures, such as ingesting something very cold or very hot.
  • Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that causes peptic ulcers. Its presence may cause gastritis.

What are the symptoms of acute gastritis?

Main symptoms of acute gastritis are:

  • Severe abdominal pain in the epigastric region (in the upper central region of the abdomen).
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps

How is acute gastritis diagnosed?

In cases of food poisoning or viral conditions, acute gastritis can be quickly diagnosed by means of acquiring a thorough history of the patient’s condition.

In other cases, when acute gastritis has other causes, the doctor may order the following tests:

  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Blood, breath, or saliva test (to check for H. pylori)
  • A fecal test (to check for blood in the stool)
  • Fibrogastroscopy
  • X-Ray of the stomach (after ingesting contrast dye)

How is acute gastritis treated?

Some of the treatments, include:

  • Stomach pumping (gastric lavage) (treatment for food poisoning)
  • Following the cessation of vomiting, the patient should drink water often in small sips, as well as simultaneously drinking a sodium bicarbonate solution (Trisol), often in small sips.
  • Consuming light foods, low in protein and fat, non-spicy as well as eating frequent, small meals.
  • Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, esomeprazole, panthoprazole to inhibit the production of stomach acid.
  • Antibiotics (only used in cases of a bacterial infection)

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 24 Jan 2018
Medical Author: Dr. med. Diana Hysi