What causes gastritis?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 25, 2024
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Chronic gastritis can be divided into two main categories: chronic non-atrophic gastritis, which was previously referred to as chronic superficial gastritis, and chronic atrophic gastritis. The primary cause of chronic gastritis is generally considered to be Helicobacter pylori infection, which has a very high infection rate in our country, exceeding 50%. Moreover, inappropriate diet can also cause chronic gastritis, such as stimulation from smoking and drinking, irregular eating habits, overeating, as well as excessive consumption of raw, greasy, spicy, and other irritating foods. Additionally, emotional factors are closely related to chronic gastritis.

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Symptoms of gastritis

Gastritis is an acute and chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by various reasons. The most common types of gastritis are acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. The common symptoms of acute gastritis include upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Severe cases may experience vomiting blood, fever, dehydration, and even shock. Symptoms of chronic gastritis are not specific; many cases are asymptomatic. Those with symptoms may experience upper abdominal pain or discomfort, loss of appetite, belching, acid reflux, and nausea. Symptoms are often related to food intake, and a significant number of patients may not show any symptoms at all. Patients with gastric erosion may experience minor or major bleeding, and chronic minor bleeding can lead to iron deficiency anemia.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
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Is hot compress good for gastritis?

Gastritis is a common disease in clinical practice and is most frequently seen in gastroenterology departments. Patients often experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and belching. While local heat application can alleviate some symptoms, it does not address the underlying issue. Gastritis is generally considered to be inflammation of the stomach caused by various factors and can be categorized into acute and chronic types. From a treatment perspective, medications that reduce acid and protect the stomach are commonly used. Local heat may relieve stomach pain, bloating, and even pain caused by gastric spasms, but it is not beneficial for controlling stomach inflammation. Therefore, patients are advised to pursue active pharmacological treatment, including medications that protect the stomach. If Helicobacter pylori infection is detected during gastritis examination, treatment targeting Helicobacter pylori is recommended. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
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Can gastritis cause bad breath?

Gastritis can cause bad breath; the reasons may include poor digestion and reduced gastric motility in patients after developing gastritis, or possibly due to infection with Helicobacter pylori. Besides gastritis, other stomach diseases can also cause bad breath, such as peptic ulcers, malignant gastric tumors, and erosive gastritis, among others. Apart from stomach diseases, diseases related to the liver, gallbladder, and oral diseases can also cause bad breath. Therefore, when patients experience bad breath, they should visit the department of stomatology to determine if there are any oral diseases, complete imaging examinations of the liver and gallbladder, and, if necessary, also complete gastroscopic examinations.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of gastritis?

Gastritis is a common gastrointestinal disease with a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and hiccups. Sometimes, patients may feel full quickly, such as feeling bloated, abdominal pain, and burping after eating, so the symptoms are generally not specific. If treatment is necessary, an initial choice could be a gastroscopy. If no issues are found during the gastroscopy, symptomatic treatment could be provided. However, if symptoms extend beyond gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting, and include anemia, fever, noticeable weight loss, and wasting, it is especially advised for elderly individuals to visit the hospital for further examinations including gastroscopy to rule out diseases such as gastric ulcers.

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What department should I go to for gastritis?

When gastritis is present, symptoms such as abdominal pain, acid reflux, belching, and bloating typically occur. Clinically, one can register under the Gastroenterology department, as the stomach is part of the digestive system. If the hospital is small and lacks a Gastroenterology department, registering under the Internal Medicine department could be considered. For gastritis diagnosis, registration should be made under Gastroenterology, and examinations such as gastroscopy and tests for Helicobacter pylori are required. Both gastroscopy and Helicobacter pylori tests require fasting for more accurate results. Moreover, treatment in Gastroenterology is more targeted.