Gastritis

Stomach problems range from mild, occasional gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) to ulcers to stomach cancer. Most physicians agree that there is a lot a person can do to control and/or prevent these conditions. Most entail lifestyle choices.

Practice good eating habits:

Equally important as what goes into your stomach, is how you practice eating. Portion control is not only good for weight control, but also enables you to digest your food more effectively, without undue stress. Eating at regular times makes sure that your stomach isn't growling and working overtime to be heard to let you know the stomach is hungry. Finally, eating in a relaxed environment without hurrying the experience will also aid digestion and not overwhelm the processes of the stomach; plus, you may enjoy eating more by slowing down.

At one time, alternative therapies were the only treatments available to patients with gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) or ulcers. When an ulcer was discovered, the patient immediately was placed on a bland diet (no spices, no salts), and drank an ounce of cream or milk every 30-60 minutes during the emergent phase of ulcer therapy.

After the immediate hospitalization was over, patients were told to continue their bland diets, along with not drinking any alcohol or caffeinated products. Anxiety was also something which contributed to the diagnosis of ulcers, so the patient was advised to relax and take it easy--not get excited about the small things. Golf may have been picked up at this time as a national pasttime, to provide a stress free environment and give the ulcer a chance to heal.

Helicobacter Pylori is a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. It is caught through oral ingestion such as food, water, and possibly even contact by kissing.

Some people are exposed to H. Pylori, but fight the bug off. However, others aren't so lucky. The bug neutralizes the stomach acids, so it is not killed, and starts to burrow into the soft stomach lining. When it reaches the inner lining it burrows under the lining to protect itself from acid and other natural killers present in the body, and multiplies and thrives. When the disease makes people symptomatic (and symptoms aren't always present until an emergency stage), the person enters the health care system for treatment.

Treatment for Gastritis is usually aimed at decreasing the stomach acid, to allow the stomach lining time to heal. As the treatments available are also utilized with people who have stomach ulcers, both are included in the information stated in this article.

• Antacids. Antacids neutralize the acid in your stomach and are useful in the cases of mild gastritis. For patients who also have heartburn, Gaviscon is advised; as when the acid pushes through the stomach valve into the esophagus, Gavison will provide some protective barrier for the esophagus as well as the stomach. antacids can be purchased over the counter. Usually, if the cause is mild gastritis, antacids will provide quick relief from the symptoms.

Treatment for Gastritis

Treatment depends on the specific cause. Some of the causes will disappear over time. Medications to decrease stomach acid release may be recommended.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outlook depends on the cause, but is usually good.

Complications

See the specific types of gastritis.

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