Atrophic gastritis


Which fruits can be eaten with chronic atrophic gastritis?
Patients with chronic atrophic gastritis are not recommended to eat fruits. Most fruits are considered cold and raw food, which can easily irritate the stomach lining and worsen the lesions, thus patients with chronic atrophic gastritis are advised not to eat fruits. Additionally, patients with chronic atrophic gastritis should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming strong tea or coffee. They should also avoid fatty, greasy, spicy, fried, stimulating, barbecued, cold, and sweet foods. A diet that is light and easy to digest is recommended, such as porridge (e.g., millet porridge, yam porridge, or barley porridge), soups (e.g., chicken soup or pork rib soup), and well-cooked noodles, as these foods are relatively easy to digest and place less burden on the gastrointestinal tract, making them suitable for patients with chronic atrophic gastritis.


Is atrophic gastritis grade II serious?
Grade II atrophic gastritis is of moderate severity, not particularly severe. The appearance of atrophic gastritis indicates that the gastric mucosa has begun to atrophy, and the glands have reduced. In such a case, it is crucial to take care of oneself to avoid further severe progression of the condition. Typically, it is advisable to have a light diet, incorporating easily digestible and absorbable foods such as papaya, Chinese yam, or lentils. These types of food can regulate the spleen and stomach, aid digestion, and improve appetite. It is important to avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and to strictly abstain from smoking and drinking to prevent exacerbation of the condition. If suffering from chronic gastritis, do not use proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole or rabeprazole, in large amounts over a long period. These medications should be taken regularly and according to the treatment course prescribed.


Does atrophic gastritis cause diarrhea?
Generally speaking, atrophic gastritis does not cause diarrhea in patients. The main symptoms of atrophic gastritis include dull pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, belching, or accompanied by symptoms such as weight loss and anemia. If a patient with atrophic gastritis experiences diarrhea, they should promptly visit the gastroenterology department or intestinal clinic of a standard hospital to complete routine stool examinations and tests, and if necessary, an endoscopic examination of the colon. In terms of treatment, antidiarrheal medications such as montmorillonite powder can be used, as well as treatments like Bacillus coagulans to regulate the intestinal flora. It is also advised to drink more water to avoid dehydration.


"Mild active phase of atrophic gastritis"
Mild active phase of atrophic gastritis refers to the period when gastritis is occurring, typically caused by improper diet. This might be due to overeating or consuming greasy, spicy, and irritating foods, leading to exacerbation of the condition. Clinical manifestations include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite, which are inevitably linked to daily life habits. Furthermore, mental stress, excessive pressure, staying up late, and overfatigue can also have an impact.


Is atrophic gastritis C1 cancerous?
Atrophic gastritis C1 is not a cancerous change; it refers to closed atrophy, limited only to the pyloric antrum and not occurring in parts such as the gastric body or greater curvature. Patients with atrophic gastritis C1 should first be tested for the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If the Helicobacter pylori infection is positive, a standardized eradication of Helicobacter pylori should be conducted using a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for two weeks. Additionally, patients can take Chinese patent medicines like Weifuchun and Monkey Mushroom tablets to repair and protect the gastric mucosa. Moreover, patients with atrophic gastritis C1 should regularly undergo follow-up gastroscopy. Note: Please follow medical advice regarding medication.


The difference between chronic superficial gastritis and chronic non-atrophic gastritis
Chronic superficial gastritis only shows lesions on the superficial layer of the gastric mucosa, and the condition generally is not very severe; while chronic atrophic gastritis refers to the atrophy of the gastric mucosa and a reduction in glandular tissue. Both conditions can be distinguished by undergoing a gastroscopy. Symptomatically, they are generally hard to differentiate, and both may present clinical symptoms of chronic gastritis such as loss of appetite, belching, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.


How to regulate non-atrophic gastritis
Chronic gastritis is divided into chronic atrophic gastritis and chronic non-atrophic gastritis. Chronic non-atrophic gastritis, also known as chronic superficial gastritis, mainly presents symptoms such as upper abdominal distension, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. Gastroscope examination revealing redness, edema, or erosion of the gastric mucosa can diagnose chronic non-atrophic gastritis. The treatment primarily involves acid suppression, stomach protection, and enhancement of gastric motility, typically requiring about four to six weeks. It is also recommended to conduct a Carbon-14 breath test to determine if there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori; if the infection is positive, a 14-day treatment against Helicobacter pylori is necessary. Additionally, dietary considerations should focus on easily digestible foods, avoiding spicy, fried, barbecued, sweet, or cold foods. Smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided, as well as foods like milk, soy milk, glutinous rice, and sweet potatoes.


Atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia of the glands is cancer?
Atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia of the glands is not cancer, but it is a precancerous lesion that requires high attention from the patient. If the patient does not promptly revisit gastroscopy, does not undergo periodic review, or does not adopt active medication treatment, it may eventually degenerate into gastric cancer over time. Therefore, once atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia is detected, active treatment should be initiated. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine can be considered, but it should be carried out under the diagnosis and treatment of an experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor.


The difference between superficial gastritis and atrophic gastritis.
Chronic superficial gastritis and atrophic gastritis are both types of chronic gastritis. Chronic superficial gastritis refers to the condition where there is no atrophy of the gastric glands in the gastric mucosa, while atrophic gastritis involves atrophy of the gastric glands in the gastric mucosa. Gastroscope examination can confirm the diagnosis; if gastric gland atrophy is observed under the gastroscope, a biopsy and histopathological examination can definitively diagnose atrophic gastritis. In contrast, superficial gastritis primarily shows symptoms of mucosal hyperemia, edema, or erosion under gastroscope examination. The symptoms of both conditions are similar, including upper abdominal distension, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. As for treatment, superficial gastritis primarily involves acid suppression, gastric protection, and promoting gastric motility, while the treatment for atrophic gastritis includes targeting Helicobacter pylori, along with acid suppression and gastric protection. The prognosis for superficial gastritis is relatively good, whereas treating atrophic gastritis is more challenging and it carries a higher risk of malignancy transformation.


The symptoms of atrophic gastritis include:
The primary symptoms of atrophic gastritis include upper abdominal distension and pain, post-meal fullness, early satiety, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients may also experience weight loss, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and forgetfulness. Additionally, some may suffer from dizziness, weakness, and pale complexion. If the gastric mucosa is eroded or even bleeding, it can lead to gastric bleeding and result in anemia. In terms of treatment, the primary approach is the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, using a regimen that includes a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. Additionally, treatments include acid suppression, gastric protection, and enhancing gastric motility. Traditional Chinese medicine and herbal treatments are also very important methods for treating atrophic gastritis.