Gastritis

The first thing we need is a basic understanding of Gastritis. I hope to give you an explanation as well as a personal glimpse into what it is like to have it. This is a fairly new diagnosis and the information has come from various sources, source types, and from personal experience as well.

DEFINITION
Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

ETIOLOGY
There are several causes of Gastritis that includes bacterial or viral infection; irritation caused by use of certain medications such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol, chronic vomiting, or excess gastric acid production; autoimmune disorders; or back flow of bile into the stomach, known as bile reflux.

Gastritis can occur suddenly, known as acute gastritis; or gradually, known as chronic gastritis.

SYMPTOMS
Though these can vary in intensity, these are the most common symptoms of gastritis.

Hiccups
Abdominal indigestion
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Vomiting blood or coffee-ground like material
Dark stools

TREATMENT
Although it is best to prevent Gastritis by avoiding long-term use of irritants, treatment depends on the specific cause, some of which will resolve by themselves over time. Conventional medicine uses over-the-counter antacids, prescription drugs, antibiotics and, in rare cases, surgery to treat gastritis.

For a mild case of gastritis, over-the-counter antacids are recommended. If you find these are not effective, your doctor may prescribe nizatidine, cimetidine, ranitidine or famotidine, which reduce production of stomach acid. More powerful medications, such as omeprazole or lansoprazole, may also be prescribed.

Gastritis caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. Chronic gastritis can also usually be treated with over-the-counter antacids. If your stomach lining has been seriously eroded by excess stomach acid and you have internal bleeding, you may need blood transfusions and other intravenous fluids. Surgery may be needed to control the bleeding if other treatments don't work or if you have ulcers or perforations through the stomach wall.

Changes in the diet to limit or eliminate alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks is helpful. But you do not need to avoid spicy foods in particular. Eat more non-citric fruits, cooked vegetables and bland foods, and eat fewer refined carbohydrates such as white bread and white rice. Supplements of zinc and vitamin A may help heal the stomach lining. Over-the-counter antacids and acetaminophen may offer relief. Don't eat solid food on the first day gastritis develops; drink lots of water and other liquids, but not milk, which increases acid secretion.

MY POINT of VIEW
I believe my Gastritis came about by taking Ibuprofen during a particularly painful period. I did take more than the recommended dosage and shortly thereafter found myself vomiting blood. I was admitted to the hospital and you can read more about that in my update of January 16, 1999. Once I went home, I was given a prescription for Zantac 150mg BID. I haven't had any other problems of gastritis since.

2000 UPDATE
Zantac continues to take care of the problem with an occasional bout where it might flare up for a day or two, here and there.

2002 UPDATE
During my last hospital stay [Read more about that in my update of August 31, 2002], they gave me Prevacid. It really worked well and I left with a prescription in hand. However, since I continue to have Medicare without any drug coverage I could not afford to add it to my regimen. My medications run about $500/month as it is now and the Prevacid was like $200 for a 30 day supply. So, I am still taking Zantac. OTC Zantac 75mg and I take two pills a day.

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You are listening to Memories from the musical Cats, written by
Andrew Lloyd Webber and T.S. Eliot. I felt this song was a perfect selection
for this site because of the affiliation I feel with Grizabella. Although for her,
it was age and not health issues that changed her, neither of us are who we
were before, on the outside, and it can affect how we feel on the inside.