Gastritis
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gastritis AND treatment
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NIDDK gastritis symptoms causes treatment H. pylori NSAIDs
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Gastritis means inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be short-lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic).
Common causes
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
- Anti-inflammatory pain medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and diclofenac
- Alcohol and other stomach irritants
- Less often, autoimmune disease or severe physical stress/illness
Possible symptoms
- Upper abdominal burning, pain, or discomfort
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloating, belching, or feeling full early
- Sometimes no symptoms at all
What to do
- Avoid NSAID painkillers unless a clinician says they are safe for you. Do not stop prescribed aspirin without medical advice.
- Limit alcohol, smoking, and foods that clearly worsen your symptoms.
- A clinician may test for H. pylori using a breath test, stool test, or sometimes endoscopy. If positive, treatment requires antibiotics plus an acid-suppressing medicine. The NIDDK treatment guidance describes this approach.
- Acid-reducing medicines such as PPIs may help, but choosing one and its duration depends on the cause and your other medicines.
Get urgent care now for vomiting blood, black/tarry stools, fainting, severe persistent abdominal pain, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, or trouble swallowing. Gastritis related to H. pylori or NSAIDs can contribute to ulcers and bleeding if untreated, as noted by NIDDK.
Tell me your symptoms, duration, age, and any painkillers or alcohol use, and I can help you think through the likely next step.
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