Difference between atrophic gastritis and non-atrophic gastritis

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Chronic gastritis includes two types: chronic non-atrophic gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis. The symptoms of both can be similar, such as upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, and heartburn. Chronic atrophic gastritis tends to be more severe than non-atrophic gastritis. Over the long term, atrophic gastritis may lead to symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and even anemia. The main differentiation still requires gastroscopy and pathological examination. Under gastroscopy, chronic superficial gastritis mainly shows mucosal congestion and edema. In atrophic gastritis, due to gland atrophy, the submucosal blood vessels may appear as a net-like or petal-like pattern, and sometimes the mucosa may become granular. Pathological examinations can further clarify the diagnosis.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
1min 6sec home-news-image

What medicine should be taken for atrophic gastritis with erosion?

Chronic atrophic gastritis with erosion requires drug treatment based on the specific symptoms of the patient and whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection. The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori is very high, often exceeding 50%, so it is also necessary to check for Helicobacter pylori infection in cases of chronic atrophic gastritis. If there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, antibacterial treatment is needed, typically employing a quadruple therapy. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is generally used. Common treatments include protecting the gastric mucosa, suppressing gastric acid, and enhancing gastric motility, among others. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to daily diet and lifestyle habits, focusing on light and easy-to-digest foods, and avoiding raw, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods; quitting smoking and drinking can also be helpful. (Specific medication usage should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Is chronic non-atrophic gastritis with erosion serious?

Common symptoms of chronic non-atrophic gastritis with erosion include upper abdominal bloating, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, indigestion, heartburn, etc. A gastroscopy can reveal symptoms like hyperemia, edema, and erosion on the gastric mucosa to diagnose chronic non-atrophic gastritis with erosion. It is also recommended to perform a Carbon-14 breath test to determine if there is an infection of Helicobacter pylori. If the infection is positive, a 14-day treatment for Helicobacter pylori is required, using a regimen of a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, with the course lasting 14 days. Additionally, treatment for chronic non-atrophic gastritis with erosion should include acid suppression, gastric protection, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa, which typically requires about six weeks. With the above treatments, the disease can be cured.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Can atrophic gastritis drink honey?

Honey is very common in daily life, tastes good, and contains rich nutritional components. It has the effects of promoting saliva secretion, quenching thirst, and relieving constipation, which makes it widely loved. For chronic atrophic gastritis, in addition to conventional drug treatments, such as antibacterial Western medicine and treatments that protect the gastric mucosa, traditional Chinese medicine can also provide symptomatic treatment. In terms of diet, it is essential to eat light, easily digestible foods, and avoid raw, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods, as well as stimulants like tobacco and alcohol, while also maintaining regular and measured eating habits. Honey does not have a significant conflict with atrophic gastritis and can be consumed. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to apply moxibustion for atrophic gastritis?

For some symptoms of atrophic gastritis, moxibustion can be applied, such as on the Zhongwan acupoint located on the Ren meridian, as well as the Xiawan and Liangqiu acupoints. Moxibustion can also be done on the Zusanli acupoint along the stomach meridian, as well as on Neiguan and Gongsun acupoints, which are intersections of the eight meridians and can regulate atrophic gastritis. However, there is a particular method to follow during moxibustion; generally, acupoints on the upper body are treated first, followed by those on the lower body. For instance, start with the acupoints on the abdomen such as Zhongwan, Xiawan, and Liangqiu, followed by Zusanli, and then Gongsun. During moxibustion, the amount of moxa used should increase gradually, and the duration of treatment should extend from short to longer periods, indicating that the treatment period for atrophic gastritis might be longer.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How to treat chronic non-atrophic gastritis with bile reflux?

For cases of chronic non-atrophic gastritis with bile reflux, it is first necessary to clarify whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, which can be determined by a breath test. Based on this, regular visits to the department of gastroenterology for diagnostics and treatment can be established. Firstly, it is important to take oral medication to protect the gastric mucosa and then to promote gastrointestinal motility. Regular follow-ups are very important. Generally, for patients with non-atrophic gastritis and bile reflux, it depends on whether the condition is high or low. For those in the high category, it is necessary to undergo a gastroscopy every six months.