Gastritis
What is gastritis?
Gastritis is nothing more than the inflammation of the stomach lining. The stomach lining (gastric mucosa) consists of a number of layers which in turn are protected by the mucosal barrier (composed of gastric mucus and bicarbonate). Once this protective barrier has been weakened, stomach acid and pepsin irritate and inflame the stomach lining.
Gastritis is generally classified as being acute or chronic.
Acute gastritis is the most common type of gastritis and is characterised by superficial inflammation of the stomach lining that occurs quickly and unexpectedly. It’s generally transient and, if treated promptly, will resolve quickly however, if not, can become chronic with the passage of time.
The most common causes of acute gastritis are:
Chronic gastritis is characterised by progressive inflammation of the stomach lining over time. The main difference between acute and chronic gastritis is its time of onset: acute gastritis arises suddenly but its symptoms disappear as the condition improves, chronic gastritis tends to be more deep rooted and has been in existence longer.
The causes of chronic gastritis are similar to those for acute gastritis, however, in addition:
Why is it difficult to cure gastritis?
With appropriate treatment, most cases of acute gastritis don’t last longer than a few weeks. The problem however is, once gastritis has become chronic, it can be more difficult to cure if the factors that slow down healing aren’t treated. One of the most common mistakes made by people who suffer from gastritis is having acidic food and drinks, which cause direct and indirect damage to the stomach lining.
In addition, there’s a very strong link between the digestive system and the brain (the gut-brain axis): the digestive system is extremely sensitive to changes in mood and, conversely, emotions and mental health are affected by the health of the gut. It’s now believed that stress and anxiety are the main causes of digestive problems, such as irritable bowel, acid reflux and gastritis, and thus these need to be addressed too.
What to do
The key thing, particularly for chronic gastritis, is time. There are no quick fixes. Consistent diet and lifestyle changes are needed. The good news though is, if you take back control and make the decision to heal, you absolutely can!
Get in touch for more information
Gastritis is nothing more than the inflammation of the stomach lining. The stomach lining (gastric mucosa) consists of a number of layers which in turn are protected by the mucosal barrier (composed of gastric mucus and bicarbonate). Once this protective barrier has been weakened, stomach acid and pepsin irritate and inflame the stomach lining.
Gastritis is generally classified as being acute or chronic.
Acute gastritis is the most common type of gastritis and is characterised by superficial inflammation of the stomach lining that occurs quickly and unexpectedly. It’s generally transient and, if treated promptly, will resolve quickly however, if not, can become chronic with the passage of time.
The most common causes of acute gastritis are:
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) i.e. ibuprofen. This class of drugs can damage the stomach mucosa by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins which regulate the production of gastric mucus and bicarbonate
- Helicobacter pylori – one of the most common causes of gastritis is H. pylori infection which colonises and inflames the stomach
- Alcohol – excessive alcohol consumption wears the mucosal barrier and inflames the stomach walls
Chronic gastritis is characterised by progressive inflammation of the stomach lining over time. The main difference between acute and chronic gastritis is its time of onset: acute gastritis arises suddenly but its symptoms disappear as the condition improves, chronic gastritis tends to be more deep rooted and has been in existence longer.
The causes of chronic gastritis are similar to those for acute gastritis, however, in addition:
- Stress – when you’re chronically stressed, gastric secretions decrease. This includes the production of gastric mucus and bicarbonate which in turn can leave the stomach lining prone to stomach acid, and other substances, that can irritate it
- Low levels of stomach acid – the production of gastric mucus is proportional to the amount of stomach acid produced. Thus when your stomach produces little acid, food spends more time in the stomach, which allows acid and other substances to irritate and inflame the stomach lining
Why is it difficult to cure gastritis?
With appropriate treatment, most cases of acute gastritis don’t last longer than a few weeks. The problem however is, once gastritis has become chronic, it can be more difficult to cure if the factors that slow down healing aren’t treated. One of the most common mistakes made by people who suffer from gastritis is having acidic food and drinks, which cause direct and indirect damage to the stomach lining.
In addition, there’s a very strong link between the digestive system and the brain (the gut-brain axis): the digestive system is extremely sensitive to changes in mood and, conversely, emotions and mental health are affected by the health of the gut. It’s now believed that stress and anxiety are the main causes of digestive problems, such as irritable bowel, acid reflux and gastritis, and thus these need to be addressed too.
What to do
- Follow a low acid diet: cutting out all irritants including acidic fruits and vegetables, spices and condiments, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, processed foods, dairy and gluten
- Make some changes to your habits and lifestyle, for example, don’t skip meals and do eat 5-7 smaller, more frequent, meals throughout the day
- Chew your food well to help support a compromised digestive system
- Protect your stomach lining using gastro protective medication or supplements, such as deglycyrrhised liquorice
- Address stress and anxiety by practicing relaxation techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, getting out into nature, etc
The key thing, particularly for chronic gastritis, is time. There are no quick fixes. Consistent diet and lifestyle changes are needed. The good news though is, if you take back control and make the decision to heal, you absolutely can!
Get in touch for more information
