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Gastritis

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Reviewed/Revised Jan 2023
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What is gastritis?

Gastritis is inflammation (irritation) of your stomach lining. It can come and go quickly (acute) or last a long time (chronic) depending on the cause.

The Stomach
VIDEO
  • Gastritis may be caused by infection, stress, or medicine

  • You might have pain or discomfort in your belly area, feel sick to your stomach, or throw up blood

  • Doctors may need to look into your stomach with a flexible viewing tube

  • Doctors will give you medicine to lower the amount of acid in your stomach

What causes gastritis?

Common causes of gastritis include:

What are the symptoms of gastritis?

Gastritis may not cause symptoms.

If you do have symptoms, they can include:

  • Pain or discomfort in your belly, usually in the upper middle part

  • Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up

If gastritis causes stomach bleeding, you may:

  • Throw up blood or dark material that looks like coffee grounds

  • Pass dark black stool (poop)

How can doctors tell if I have gastritis?

Doctors can often tell if you have gastritis based on your symptoms. Tests usually aren't needed.

Sometimes, doctors may:

How do doctors treat gastritis?

Doctors treat symptoms with medicines, such as:

  • Antacids, which neutralize the acid in your stomach and are available without a doctor's prescription

  • Acid-reducing medicines, which cause your stomach to make less acid

  • Antibiotics, if your gastritis is from infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria

Doctors will also have you avoid certain foods and drinks and stop taking medicines that hurt your stomach lining, such as aspirin or other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen).

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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