What are the symptoms of chronic gastritis?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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The symptoms of chronic gastritis are mainly digestion-related, such as nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, abdominal bloating, and stomach pain. Belching is a more prominent symptom, with food easily refluxing back up to the throat. Many patients with chronic gastritis have atypical symptoms, and Helicobacter pylori infection is often discovered during examinations. Patients with this type of infection need treatment for Helicobacter pylori, which clinically often involves a triple therapy consisting of two antibiotics plus a proton pump inhibitor or a mucosal protective agent. It is also necessary to adjust the diet appropriately. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor, based on the specific situation.)

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Written by Li Ying
Gastroenterology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Can chronic gastritis eat apples?

Chronic gastritis is caused by many factors, including various medications, irritating foods, gallbladder adenomas, environmental conditions, and personal factors, among others. Therefore, while we treat the symptoms, post-treatment maintenance of the stomach is crucial. Diet plays a significant role here. It is important to avoid particularly irritating foods, including items that are too cold, too hot, too cool, too spicy, or too acidic. Raw foods and those that are difficult to digest should also be avoided. It's beneficial to eat slowly and chew thoroughly; avoid overeating or eating too hastily. Thus, it's essential to eat regularly and in proper amounts. Some fruits, like apples, can be consumed, although they should be limited in the early stages of gastritis if there is excessive stomach acid. However, intense beverages like strong tea and coffee, and spicy foods such as chili peppers, should be avoided.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 13sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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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.)

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Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
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Diagnosis methods for chronic gastritis

Chronic gastritis symptoms are relatively common, often including abdominal pain and bloating. Patients with abdominal pain and bloating often present these symptoms. To rule out gastrointestinal tumors, ulcers, and other diseases, we need to go through some short-term medical treatments. If the symptoms do not improve, we need to consider the possibility of gastric ulcers or gastric tumors. Of course, the fundamental diagnostic method is still through gastroscopy, to definitively diagnose chronic gastritis. If necessary, a pathological examination should be conducted for confirmation.

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Written by Li Ying
Gastroenterology
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The main manifestations of chronic gastritis

The main clinical symptoms of chronic gastritis include dull pain in the upper abdomen, a feeling of fullness after meals, acid reflux, or reduced appetite in patients. The severity of symptoms does not necessarily correspond to the extent of gastric mucosal lesions. Since chronic gastritis lacks specific symptoms, most individuals may experience no symptoms or various degrees of indigestion. Chronic atrophic gastritis primarily leads to symptoms like anemia, weight loss, diarrhea, among others. Additionally, patients with erosive gastritis may experience more pronounced upper abdominal pain, potentially accompanied by vomiting blood, black stools, and irregular abdominal pain. Severe cases could lead to intense colic pain.