Gastritis
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gastritis
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NIDDK gastritis symptoms causes treatment H. pylori
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site:nhs.uk gastritis symptoms treatment H pylori NSAIDs
Gastritis means inflammation of the stomach lining. Strictly, it is confirmed on biopsy, and symptoms such as indigestion or upper abdominal pain do not always mean gastritis. - Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, p. 2581
Common causes include:
- Helicobacter pylori infection
- Anti-inflammatory pain medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin
- Alcohol
- Severe physical illness or stress
- Less commonly, autoimmune disease
Possible symptoms are burning or aching upper-abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, early fullness, belching, and indigestion. Some people have no symptoms.
What to do
- Avoid alcohol and avoid NSAID painkillers unless a clinician says otherwise.
- Smaller, non-irritating meals may help temporarily.
- A clinician may test for H. pylori using a stool or breath test. If positive, treatment is usually antibiotics plus an acid-suppressing medicine. Merck Manual guidance supports acid suppression, H. pylori eradication when present, and avoiding NSAIDs.
Seek urgent care now for vomiting blood, black/tarry stools, fainting, severe or worsening abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or trouble swallowing.
If you tell me your symptoms, duration, medicines you take, and whether there is vomiting or black stool, I can help you judge the next step.
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