YOUR STOMACH CAN BE FIRED!
Has your stomach been experiencing pain more often lately and is it getting worse? Then watch out! Your stomach may be inflamed…
What is Gastritis?
Gastritis can be defined as gastric inflammation. Due to the damage, white blood cells in the blood accumulate on the stomach wall. However, gastritis does not mean that the stomach has ulcers or cancer.
What are the causes of gastritis?
Helicobacter Pylori Microbial: Helicobacter Pylori Microbial (HP) is a bacterium found in the thick mucus layer in the stomach. Although it does not directly infect the tissue, it causes acute or chronic inflammation. HP begins to be present in the stomach from early childhood and may remain lifelong if left untreated. This infection can lead to ulcers, and even cancer in some patients.
Autoimmune gastritis-pernicious anemia: Our immune system provides a protective function against agents that can cause infections in the body by making substances called antibodies. In some cases, the immune system accidentally makes antibodies against its own cells or organs and may destroy them. If the immune system produces antibodies against the cells lining the stomach, the stomach cells may also be damaged. In this case, acute or chronic inflammation in the stomach, gastritis occurs. If a factor that is effective in the absorption of vitamin B12 used in blood production and is released from the stomach is eliminated by this inflammation, pernicious anemia occurs due to vitamin B12 deficiency. These patients may develop cancer over a long period of time.
Painkillers: Elderly patients often use painkillers for both bone and joint pain. In prolonged use, the amount of prostaglandin, which is a stomach protection agent, decreases, and gastritis, or even ulcer may occur in the stomach.
Alcohol: Alcohol and other chemical agents can cause inflammation and damage to the stomach. Alcohol increases stomach acid release and damages the stomach. Alcohol-induced gastritis is dose-dependent, that is, if taken in large quantities, it produces gastritis.
Hypertrophic gastritis: Over time, folds in the stomach grow and swell due to inflammation. Menetrier disease, a form of chronic gastritis, occurs if the folds in the stomach are giant in this unknown cause. Excess protein loss may occur in these patients.
How is it treated?
Treatment of gastritis depends on the cause. Reduction of gastric acid is beneficial in most types of gastritis. A specific diagnosis should also be made. Antibiotics may be given in case of infection. If painkillers and alcohol are responsible for gastritis, they should be discontinued. In general, gastritis alone is not a serious problem.
41AXX
Pepcid AC Maximum Strength Acid Reducer - 100ct.
