What to do about the pain from atrophic gastritis?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Atrophic gastritis is a condition where the mucous membrane of the stomach atrophies, associated with poor neural nutrition and excessive gastric acid secretion, leading to a reduction in the barrier function of the gastric mucosa. To first alleviate pain, proton pump inhibitors can be used to reduce the secretion of gastric acid, and at the same time, gastric mucosal protectants should be used. If there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori, active use of triple or quadruple therapy should be employed to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. It is important to adjust one's diet, eat regularly, and avoid overeating. Greasy and spicy foods should be consumed less, and more bland, soft, and easily digestible foods should be eaten. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Can atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers eat sweet potatoes?

Patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers should not eat sweet potatoes. Common symptoms for patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers include upper abdominal distension and pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, indigestion, and heartburn. After a clear diagnosis, standardized medication treatment is required. Additionally, it is essential for these patients to quit smoking and drinking alcohol; they should not drink strong tea or coffee. Foods that are rich, greasy, spicy, fried, grilled, cold, sweet, along with milk, soy milk, glutinous rice, and sweet potatoes are also not recommended. For example, sweet potatoes are difficult to digest and can increase gastric acid secretion, which further irritates the gastric mucosa and aggravates these two diseases. Therefore, patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers should not eat sweet potatoes.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Why is a biopsy necessary for atrophic gastritis?

Atrophic gastritis is generally treated with biopsy, which is the standard for diagnosing atrophic gastritis, so biopsy is typically conducted when considering atrophic gastritis. Atrophic gastritis is increasingly common in clinical settings, especially among middle-aged and elderly patients. It begins with symptoms of chronic gastritis, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and belching, and sometimes may include changes in appetite. Patients usually undergo gastroscopy, which shows atrophy of the gastric mucosa, alterations in red and white patches, or white-like mucosa. Histopathological examination can further support the atrophic changes. In clinical settings, when considering atrophic gastritis, treatment focuses on protecting the stomach and screening for Helicobacter pylori. If Helicobacter pylori is positive, treatment targeting Helicobacter pylori is recommended. Regular gastroscopic examinations are necessary, typically every six months to a year.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Chronic non-atrophic gastritis

Chronic non-atrophic gastritis is also known as chronic superficial gastritis. It is a classification of chronic gastritis, which also includes chronic atrophic gastritis and special types of gastritis as other classifications. Chronic non-atrophic gastritis refers to a condition where the glands in the gastric mucosa do not show atrophy, thus it is called chronic non-atrophic gastritis. Generally, the endoscopic appearance of the gastric mucosa being hyperemic, edematous, or eroded can lead to a diagnosis of chronic non-atrophic gastritis. Treatment mainly focuses on acid suppression, protecting the stomach, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa. If there is a positive Helicobacter pylori infection, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is required. Patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis should primarily consume a light and easy-to-digest diet.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Is atrophic gastritis serious?

Chronic atrophic gastritis, compared to chronic non-atrophic gastritis, is relatively more severe. It is usually due to the atrophy of the gastric mucosal glands that this condition occurs. Under gastroscopy, the gastric mucosa can be seen to become pale, and the submucosal blood vessels are easily exposed. Sometimes, the gastric mucosal cells are replaced by intestinal epithelial cells, which is what we refer to as intestinal metaplasia. Some believe that this condition is a precancerous lesion, so it must be given sufficient attention. Firstly, it is necessary to check for Helicobacter pylori infection; if present, comprehensive antibiotic treatment is required. Some believe that if Helicobacter pylori is completely eradicated, partial reversal of gastric mucosal atrophy can happen, and in some cases, it may even return to normal, making the eradication of Helicobacter pylori particularly important. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is advocated, such as protecting the gastric mucosa, etc. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine has relatively better effects in treating atrophic gastritis compared to Western medicine, and further diagnosis and treatment in a traditional Chinese medicine department can be considered. (Note: The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Non-atrophic gastritis with focal erosion treatment

Non-atrophic gastritis with erosive lesions, primarily diagnosed through gastroscopic examination that revealed erosive and other changes in the gastric mucosa. If erosion is detected, doctors generally perform a biopsy under gastroscopy to ascertain the nature of the erosion. If the erosion is inflammatory, it can be treated with oral medications, including acid-suppressing and stomach-protective drugs, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa. If the erosion involves intestinal metaplasia or atypical hyperplasia, it requires endoscopic APC treatment or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to eliminate the erosive areas, thereby addressing the erosion fundamentally. Additionally, attention should be paid to a light and easily digestible diet.