Gastritis: Know this potential "stomach" enemy

Gastritis is a common disease of the digestive system that can cause a lot of trouble in our daily lives. This article will introduce the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment methods, and preventive measures of gastritis in detail to help you better understand this potential "stomach" enemy.

1. Symptoms of gastritis

The main symptoms of gastritis include upper abdominal pain, fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, etc. These symptoms may affect the patient's daily life and work. Some patients may also have intestinal discomfort symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation.

Upper abdominal pain: Patients with gastritis may experience upper abdominal pain, which may be continuous or paroxysmal, and the severity of the pain may vary.

Fullness: People may feel a sense of fullness in their abdomen, especially after a meal.

Loss of appetite: People with gastritis may experience a loss of appetite due to abdominal discomfort and pain.

Nausea and vomiting: People with gastritis may experience nausea and vomiting, especially after meals or on an empty stomach.

Other symptoms: Some patients may experience intestinal discomfort symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation, and may also be accompanied by symptoms such as belching and acid reflux.

2. Causes of Gastritis

The causes of gastritis are varied, mainly including the following aspects:

Helicobacter pylori infection: This is one of the most common causes. Helicobacter pylori is a common bacteria that can colonize the stomach and cause inflammation.

Dietary factors: Irregular diet, overeating, and eating spicy foods may all cause gastritis.

Environmental factors: Being in a stressful and tense environment for a long time, or having bad habits such as smoking and drinking, may also lead to gastritis.

Other factors: such as drug allergy, immune system abnormalities, etc. may also be related to the occurrence of gastritis.

3. Diagnosis and treatment of gastritis

The diagnosis of gastritis mainly relies on endoscopic examination and gastric mucosal histological examination. Endoscopic examination can observe the degree and location of gastric mucosal inflammation, and samples can be taken for histological examination to determine whether there is Helicobacter pylori infection or other causes.

The treatment methods for gastritis mainly include drug treatment and adjustment of lifestyle habits. In terms of drug treatment, antacids, antibiotics, gastric mucosal protectants and other drugs are mainly used to relieve symptoms, eliminate inflammation and promote gastric mucosal repair. Adjustment of lifestyle habits includes regular diet, avoiding overeating and eating irritating foods, quitting smoking and drinking, maintaining a good work and rest schedule and mood, etc.

For patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy is required. This usually requires treatment with drugs such as antibiotics, and regular follow-up after treatment to ensure that the infection has been completely eliminated.

4. Measures to prevent gastritis

The prevention of gastritis can be started from the following aspects:

Maintain healthy eating habits: Eat regularly, avoid overeating and consuming irritating foods, and eat more foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Also avoid bad habits such as excessive drinking and smoking.

Maintain a good work and rest schedule and mood: avoid overwork and excessive stress, and keep a happy and relaxed mood. A good mental state can improve the body's immunity and reduce the occurrence of diseases.

Quit smoking and drinking: Both smoking and drinking may increase the risk of gastritis. Quitting smoking and drinking can protect the gastric mucosa and reduce gastric irritation and inflammation.

Regular physical examinations: Regular physical examinations can help detect and treat potential diseases in a timely manner. Examination items include endoscopy and gastric mucosal histology, which can detect gastritis and other digestive system diseases early.

Treat and control other diseases: Actively treat and control other diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc., can reduce the occurrence and aggravation of gastritis.

In short, understanding the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment methods, and preventive measures of gastritis can help us better deal with this common digestive disease. At the same time, maintaining good living habits and mentality, and adjusting unhealthy lifestyles in a timely manner can help prevent the occurrence of gastritis. If you have any concerns or related symptoms, please seek medical attention and receive professional treatment in a timely manner.