Gastritis: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Home Remedies & Treatment

Causes of Gastritis

Gastritis takes place when the stomach lining becomes inflamed. This happens when the moist, mucus-lined barrier, that is meant to prevent digestive juices in the stomach from coming in contact with the inner stomach wall, weakens or breaks down. When this happens, the stomach lining is more susceptible to inflammation and irritation.

There are several factors that can lead to your stomach lining becoming thin or getting damaged, increasing risk of inflammation, i.e. gastritis. These include:

• Bacterial infection in the stomach can weaken and damage the stomach lining. The most common infection is caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria and is referred to as the H. pylori infection. H. pylori bacteria are present in people’s digestive tract but does not often cause major trouble. In some cases, however, it can cause an infection and medical professionals believe it can be transmitted through close personal contact and via contaminated food and water.

• Digestive disorders, including several digestive illnesses, such as inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) caused by Crohn’s disease, can also lead to gastritis.

• Excessive use of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs), including many pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can irritate the stomach lining, causing gastritis.

• Viral infections, although a less common cause, can damage the stomach lining as well.

• Autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s disease of the thyroid gland can lead to the body attacking the stomach cells’ lining, causing the stomach lining to wear down, leading to gastritis.

Risk Factors of Gastritis

There are certain factors which can put you at a higher risk of getting gastritis including:

• Getting bacterial infections, such as the H. pylori infection, put you at a higher risk of gastritis.
• Regular use of pain relievers and NSAIDs increases the risk of getting gastritis.
• Older people are more prone to gastritis because the stomach’s mucus lining thins with age.
• Extreme alcohol consumption makes you more susceptible to gastritis, especially acute gastritis, since alcohol irritates and chips away the stomach lining.
• High physical stress levels after an injury, medical surgery, or a burn, can increase your chances of developing gastritis.
• Having autoimmune diseases increases the likelihood of developing gastritis.
• Heavy smoking

Complications of Gastritis

Gastritis should be treated as soon as possible if symptoms persist for more than a week or if they are extremely severe right from the onset. If due medical care is not received, gastritis can cause the following complications:

• Gastric ulcers
• Chronic gastritis may put you at risk of stomach cancer
• Stomach bleeding

Contact a doctor if gastritis symptoms persist even after treatment.