Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach, or more precisely, the lining of the stomach. It’s possible to have gastritis without realising it – this is called asymptomatic gastritis.
More often, however, gastritis manifests in a range of symptoms. These are mainly digestive problems such as heartburn, acidity, bloating and even vomiting.
There are many potential causes: Helicobacter pylori infection, excessive alcohol consumption, gastroesophageal reflux disease, stress, auto-immune disease …
Gastritis can be acute or chronic. Acute gastritis develops suddenly and normally disappears on its own within a few days. But if it becomes chronic, it can sometimes persist for several months.
Even though acute gastritis produces very unpleasant symptoms, it is not usually a cause for concern.
Whether acute or chronic, it’s important to consult a doctor if you suspect gastritis or have persistent symptoms.
Your doctor will undoubtedly try to identify the factors responsible for the onset of your gastritis.
He or she may prescribe antacids, such as histamine H2-receptor antagonists, also known as H2-blockers, or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Other options include orally-administered, acid-neutralising drugs and analgesics for relieving the pain.
For chronic gastritis due to Helicobacter pylori bacteria, doctors may prescribe antibiotics such as amoxycillin.
As your doctor will undoubtedly tell you, one of the keys to achieving rapid and effective relief from gastritis lies in your diet. Doctors often recommend eating soup and other liquid foods to soothe the stomach. But there are also foods you should avoid and those you should prioritise in order to eliminate your symptoms.
To relieve symptoms and prevent gastritis from persisting, it’s best to avoid certain foods which are particularly triggering and hard to digest:
Logically enough, the foods to focus on are generally those not listed among the foods to avoid:
There are a few tips worth knowing to alleviate the symptoms of gastritis even faster:
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