Chronic Gastritis


Can you get an IV for chronic gastritis?
In gastrointestinal diseases, chronic gastritis is probably the most common. Its treatment primarily depends on whether there is an infection by Helicobacter pylori. If there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, the treatment mainly involves antibacterial therapy. If there is no infection, symptomatic treatment is sufficient, such as protecting the gastric mucosa and suppressing stomach acid, etc. As for whether chronic gastritis requires intravenous fluids, if the patient does not exhibit significant vomiting symptoms and is able to eat on their own, intravenous fluids are generally not advocated, as oral medications can usually achieve the therapeutic goals. If chronic gastritis acutely flares up with significant vomiting that affects eating, intravenous fluid treatment may be appropriate.


How to treat chronic gastritis
The common symptoms of chronic gastritis include upper abdominal bloating, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and indigestion. A gastroscopy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis; if the gastroscopic examination reveals redness, swelling, and erosion of the gastric mucosa, a diagnosis of chronic gastritis can be made. The main treatment includes acid suppression and gastric protection, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa, with a treatment course of 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 for Helicobacter pylori is necessary, using a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics and a bismuth agent. Additionally, it is advised to consume easily digestible food, increase physical activity, avoid overworking and staying up late, and avoid feelings of anxiety and depression.


Does chronic gastritis cause nausea?
Chronic gastritis generally does not manifest with nausea; the main symptoms are indigestion, such as decreased appetite, acid reflux, and pain in the upper abdomen. Chronic atrophic gastritis may also present with anemia and diarrhea. More severe cases can lead to vomiting blood and black stools. The primary causes are directly related to Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic damage to the gastric mucosa. Treatment mainly involves protecting the gastric mucosa, suppressing gastric acid secretion, and eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection.


Can chronic gastritis exercise?
Patients with chronic gastritis can exercise, but they should not engage in excessive physical activity. The main considerations for patients with chronic gastritis are dietary and medicinal precautions. In terms of diet, it is advisable to eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and to avoid foods that irritate the stomach, such as strong tea, coffee, and hard liquor. Regarding medication, it is important to avoid drugs that can damage the stomach lining, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antirheumatic drugs, and steroids. Additionally, patients with chronic gastritis should quit smoking. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional doctor.)


What to do about chronic gastritis vomiting?
If vomiting occurs with chronic gastritis, it is first necessary to rule out whether it is related to other diseases. Common issues such as gallbladder problems, pancreatic issues, or intestinal diseases, etc., can be excluded through related examinations. If vomiting is confirmed to be caused by chronic gastritis, treatment usually starts from two aspects: one is drug therapy. Drugs commonly used include those that suppress stomach acid, increase gastric motility, or medications for symptomatic treatment of vomiting. Attention should also be paid to dietary structure, with a principle of light and easily digestible foods. For example, rice porridge, soft noodles, along with a small amount of fresh vegetables, and avoiding raw, spicy, and greasy foods.


Does chronic gastritis cause bad breath?
Chronic gastritis can cause dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to bad breath. Additionally, it can manifest symptoms of indigestion such as pain and acid reflux in the upper abdomen, and decreased appetite. Atrophic gastritis may present with anemia and diarrhea. The primary treatment principles for chronic gastritis should focus on eliminating the cause, reducing recurrence of inflammation, and improving the patient's quality of life. Medications that inhibit gastric acid secretion, protect the gastric mucosa, and promote gastrointestinal motility are used for treatment.


How to completely cure chronic gastritis?
The treatment principles for chronic gastritis focus on eliminating the cause, alleviating symptoms, and reducing the recurrence of the disease. If there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori, it should be completely eradicated. Additionally, antispasmodic analgesics, gastric mucosal protectants, and acid secretion inhibitors should be used symptomatically. During treatment, attention should be paid to dietary adjustments, consuming soft, easily digestible foods, and avoiding overeating. Meals should be regular and portion-controlled. Stimulants such as strong tea, coffee, and hard liquor should be avoided. During the treatment period, it is important to manage emotional health and engage in appropriate outdoor exercises, as a good mood positively impacts the treatment of chronic gastritis.


What should I do if chronic gastritis flares up?
If chronic gastritis flares up, patients need not be overly anxious. Standard treatment can quickly cure chronic gastritis. Following an acute flare-up of chronic gastritis, the first step involves using medications such as magnesium carbonate, aluminum sucrose sulfate, and aluminum-magnesium suspension to protect the gastric mucosa. Then, use H2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors to suppress stomach acid secretion and increase the pH level inside the stomach. Sometimes, traditional Chinese medicine is also quite effective in treating chronic gastritis, such as Qi Stagnation Stomach Pain Granules, Wen-Wei Shu, Yang Wei Shu Capsules, and Xiang Sha Yang Wei Pills. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)


Is chronic gastritis easy to treat?
Chronic gastritis is relatively common in clinical settings and generally responds well to standardized treatment, so there is no need for excessive worry. As the name implies, chronic gastritis is caused by various factors that lead to inflammatory changes in the stomach, which may manifest as congestion and edema of the gastric mucosa, erosion, and even the formation of multiple superficial ulcers. Common symptoms of chronic gastritis include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and belching, usually with a long history. The abdominal pain typically occurs in the upper abdomen and is related to food intake, which may improve after eating. Nausea and vomiting generally involve gastric contents, sometimes including blood. Patients undergo gastroscopy and biopsy to further confirm chronic gastritis, and tests for Helicobacter pylori are commonly performed. If the treatment involves Helicobacter pylori and results are positive, treatment to protect the stomach and eradicate Helicobacter pylori is recommended.


The likelihood of chronic gastritis turning malignant
Generally speaking, the chances of chronic gastritis turning malignant are very low. However, if chronic gastritis involves atrophy, there is still a certain risk of malignancy. Therefore, patients with atrophic gastritis should undergo regular gastroscopy and pathological biopsy. At the same time, patients with chronic gastritis should eat more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, consume mild foods, and avoid drinking strong tea, coffee, and spirits, as well as quit smoking. Foods that are overly acidic, overly spicy, overly salty, or overly hot should also be avoided as much as possible.