Is acute gastritis serious?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 07, 2024
00:00
00:00

Acute gastritis is a relatively common disease, and if not treated actively, the symptoms can be quite severe. This is because acute gastritis can lead to damage to the gastric mucosa, causing erosion of the mucosa, or symptoms such as bleeding and perforation of the gastric mucosa, leading to severe symptoms. For acute gastritis, active treatment is necessary, primarily involving the use of medications to protect the gastric mucosa and inhibit gastric acid secretion, as well as appropriately selecting antibiotics. If there is an associated Helicobacter pylori infection, it is necessary to completely eradicate the Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, dietary adjustments should be made, such as eating more vegetables and fruits and avoiding spicy foods.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
46sec home-news-image

Symptoms of acute gastritis attack

Acute gastritis is also a common and frequently occurring disease in gastroenterology, with a relatively sudden onset and more severe symptoms compared to other types of gastritis. The majority of causes are due to inappropriate diet, such as excessive consumption of cold, spicy food, or alcoholic beverages. Certain medications can also lead to this condition, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. Symptoms often manifest as episodic upper abdominal bloating or colic, accompanied by acid reflux, heartburn, abdominal distension, etc. If acute gastric mucosal lesions occur, there are often signs of bleeding, such as black stools or even vomiting blood.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
58sec home-news-image

What to do if acute gastritis flares up?

Active medication is required for the recurrence of acute gastritis. The current treatment principles involve the use of medications that suppress gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa. Medications that suppress gastric acid secretion mainly include proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists. Additionally, it is important to check for Helicobacter pylori infection. If this bacterium is present, one can choose triple therapy to eradicate it or opt for traditional Chinese medicines, which are effective in regulating the spleen and stomach. For those with obvious stomach pain, antispasmodic analgesics should be used. Regular care is also particularly important, including consuming soft, easily digestible foods and avoiding spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods, especially strong tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
45sec home-news-image

Does acute gastritis require hospitalization?

Acute gastritis often presents with symptoms such as acute abdominal pain, bloating, acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. The symptoms are typically more severe than those of chronic gastritis. Whether hospitalization is necessary depends on the specific symptoms. If the symptoms are not severe and the patient can eat, treatment can be achieved through oral medication. If there is severe vomiting or inability to eat, hospitalization for intravenous therapy may be needed. Additionally, acute gastric mucosal lesions caused by certain medications may lead to bleeding, which also requires hospital observation to prevent worsening of the condition. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
53sec home-news-image

How long does acute gastritis require hospitalization?

Acute gastritis usually has a sudden onset and relatively severe symptoms. It can include upper abdominal pain, acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and even an inability to eat. This condition is most often caused by poor diet, such as excessive drinking, spicy and irritating foods, etc., and can also be induced by medication, such as non-steroidal drugs or hormonal drugs. The duration of hospital treatment depends on the specific situation. If the patient's general condition is acceptable and they can eat, recovery typically takes about three to five days. Therefore, the duration is not usually very long. However, in some cases, such as drug-induced acute gastric mucosal lesions, which are relatively severe and can involve bleeding, treatment with medications usually requires at least a week or more.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
49sec home-news-image

Causes of acute gastritis

The causes of acute gastritis are varied, primarily involving external factors, internal factors, and psychological factors. For example, irregular eating habits, consuming foods that are too cold or too hot, and overly coarse foods can all irritate and damage the gastric mucosal barrier. Additionally, some medications can directly cause congestion of the gastric mucosa, and acute gastritis can be directly caused by bacterial or viral infections. The gastrointestinal tract is regulated by various hormones, and if one is overly tense, agitated, or exhibiting symptoms of neurosis, this can affect the normal levels of the mucosa through hormonal regulation, leading to mucosal damage and triggering inflammation.