Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach that must be treated quickly to avoid its possible complications, like gastric ulcer and even cancer in the stomach.
Although the treatment is usually easy, it is very important to find out what causes it to recur, causing very uncomfortable symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or lack of appetite. Learn how to identify the symptoms of gastritis.
Thus, the most common causes of the onset of gastritis are:
1. Excessive stress
Stress is one of the most common causes of gastritis and other gastric discomforts. In some intense moments of life, the stomach can produce more hydrochloric acid and less mucus protective of the mucosa of the stomach and this can lead to an irritation and inflammation of the stomach, causing the gastritis. It can also be called acute or erosive nervous gastritis , which is characterized only by a superficial lesion. Learn more about gastritis nervosa.
What to do: Generally this type of gastritis heals itself with the control of anxiety and nervousness that caused it. It is very common for students in periods of testing and testing to develop acute gastritis, as well as people subjected to too much pressure at work, for example.
2. Consumption of contaminated food
Consumption of foods contaminated with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium is a common cause of gastritis and often the person remains symptomless for many years. The bacteria remain on the surface of raw foods and, when ingested, colonize the stomach. This causes an infection, disrupting the control of hydrochloric acid secretion and causing a decrease in mucosal defense. See the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach .
What to do: Gastritis is usually cured with the eradication of the bacteria, through the use of specific antibiotics, directed by the gastroenterologist. The definitive diagnosis of the presence of the bacteria can be made through a biopsy of the tissue of the stomach, removed during a digestive endoscopy.
Not all people who ingest the bacteria are sensitive to it, but some people develop gastritis when they eat food contaminated with this bacteria. See how the diet should be for treating gastritis and ulcers.
3. Use of some medicines
The need to take some medications, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause gastritis, a common cause of gastritis in older people. This is because this type of medicine weakens the lining of the stomach, causing gastritis. Gastritis caused by long-term use of the medication is known as chronic gastritis and usually develops slowly, with the onset of ulcers and occurrence of bleeding. Understand what chronic gastritis is and what to eat.
What to do: The lesions present in the gastritis caused by the continued use of medicines usually disappear with the suspension of the use of the medicine according to the doctor's advice.
4. Alcohol and cigarette consumption
Both alcohol and cigarette can irritate and inflame the lining of the intestine and stomach, leading to the formation of gastric ulcers and gastritis. See what are the major diseases caused by alcohol and smoking.
What to do: To reduce the symptoms of gastritis caused by alcohol and cigarette smoking, it is important to eliminate these habits from the routine and to adopt healthy habits, such as regular physical exercise and the adoption of a balanced diet. Check out simple tips for healthy eating.
5. Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, which corresponds to inflammation of the digestive system, can also lead to gastritis, as well as characteristic symptoms such as ulcers, diarrhea and the presence of blood in the stool. See what the symptoms are and what causes Crohn's disease.
What to do: Crohn's disease has no cure, and it is recommended by the doctor to improve eating habits, such as reducing the amount of fat consumed and milk products. Learn what to eat in Crohn's disease.
Watch the video to know how to identify the symptoms:
