Gastritis Specialist

What is gastritis?

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. Often, it’s the result of viruses or bacteria. But it can also be caused by lifestyle choices, like drinking too much alcohol or taking medicines that irritate your stomach.

Most cases of gastritis get better on their own with rest and over-the-counter medication. If your symptoms continue, get worse, or interfere with your ability to work or exercise, make an appointment at The Gastroenterology Group.

What are the symptoms of gastritis?

Gastritis symptoms include:

• Burning or aching pain in your upper abdomen
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Feeling full

Gastritis might also affect your appetite or prevent you from exercising.

When should I see a gastroenterologist about gastritis?

Make an appointment at The Gastroenterology Group if you experience symptoms of gastritis that last a week or longer. That’s especially true if you experience abdominal pain after taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin.

What causes gastritis?

Gastritis is caused by various things, including:

• Bacterial infection
• Older age
• Regularly taking over-the-counter pain relievers
• Drinking alcohol regularly
• Stress

You’re also more likely to experience gastritis if you have an underlying medical condition, like Crohn’s disease or a parasitic infection.

How is gastritis diagnosed?

To diagnose gastritis, your provider at The Gastroenterology Group reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms. They need to know where you feel the pain, if it’s worse after eating, and if you experience nausea, diarrhea, or other digestive problems.

Your provider may then order several tests, including lab work and an upper endoscopy. Lab work, like blood tests, can determine if you have a bacterial infection. An upper endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can identify signs of inflammation and other issues that might trigger gastritis.

How is gastritis treated?

Treatment of gastritis depends on how severe your symptoms are and what’s causing it. For example, if you have gastritis because you regularly drink alcohol, your provider might ask you to stop drinking.

Medications used to treat gastritis include:

• Drugs that block acid production
• Drugs that reduce acid production
• Drugs that neutralize stomach acid
• Antibiotics to kill harmful bacteria

You might also benefit from eating smaller meals and avoiding spicy or acidic foods.

To learn more about the available treatments for gastritis, make an appointment at The Gastroenterology Group by calling the office today or clicking the online booking feature.