Gastritis

A clinical evaluation by a qualified practitioner is probably the most important part in any diagnostic process. The indicators below are points of consideration for your physician in determining the possibility of gastritis, ulcers, or other causes for GI Bleeding.

Age

Age is associated with many of the auto-immune disorders which cause GI Bleeding and/or gastritis. Additionally, older people are much more likely to take NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, such as motrin), for their various aches and pains, or chronic diseases.

Gastritis may cause GI Bleeding from either the chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, or the erosion which may result. GI Bleeding (i.e. bleeding from anywhere in the gastro-intestinal tract) may have a variety of causes. It is helpful in diagnosis to determine the type of bleeding, as it may indicate where and why the bleeding is occurring.

Place: Esophagus
Type of Bleeding: Vomiting bright red (blood) or coffee ground material, Black stools Possible reason(s): Ulcer, varices (blood vessels which are over-filled with coagulated blood; much pressure is exerted against the vessel wall due to the over-filling, which may burst and cause emergent bleeding), Liver disease

Gastritis is diagnosed through one or more medical tests:

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
an endoscopy is usually done as a last resort, or if the physician suspects ulcers. Biopsies may also be done at the same time as the endoscopy procedure to evaluate for H. Pylori, or cancer.

The doctor eases an endoscope, a thin tube containing a tiny camera, through your mouth (or occasionally nose) and down into your stomach to look at the stomach lining. The doctor will check for inflammation and may remove a tiny sample of tissue for tests. This procedure to remove a tissue sample is called a biopsy.

The digestive system
The upper gastrointestinal (GI) series uses x rays to diagnose problems in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). It may also be used to examine the small intestine. The upper GI series can show a blockage, abnormal growth, ulcer, or a problem with the way an organ is working.

During the procedure, you will drink barium, a thick, white, milkshake-like liquid. Barium coats the inside lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, and makes them show up more clearly on x rays. The radiologist can also see ulcers, scar tissue, abnormal growths, hernias, or areas where something is blocking the normal path of food through the digestive system. Using a machine called a fluoroscope, the radiologist is also able to watch your digestive system work as the barium moves through it. This part of the procedure shows any problems in how the digestive system functions, for example, whether the muscles that control swallowing are working properly. As the barium moves into the small intestine, the radiologist can take x rays of it as well.

Gastritis, which is inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach, is diagnosed through one or more medical tests:

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

The doctor eases an endoscope, a thin tube containing a tiny camera, through your mouth (or occasionally nose) and down into your stomach to look at the stomach lining. The doctor will check for inflammation and may remove a tiny sample of tissue for tests. This procedure to remove a tissue sample is called a biopsy.

If you have gastritis, various tests may be done depending on the specific cause.
An X-ray of the upper digestive tract (upper Barius exam), EGD, or other tests may be advised.

As EGD's and Barium Swallows are the most complex of the tests, these will be described in detail (See Gastritis: Upper Barius for treatment information)

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope) which is inserted down the throat.