Chronic gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, characterized by a disorder in the secretion of gastric juice and gastric contractions.
Chronic gastritis affects 50% of the population and only 10-15% go to the doctor. Chronic gastritis leads to malabsorption of a number of nutrients and vitamins needed by the body. Anemia (anemia) often develops because the stomach stops producing a factor involved in hematopoiesis (Castle’s anti-anemic factor). In addition, against the background of gastritis (gastritis with low acidity), tumors of the stomach can develop. In 75% of cases, chronic gastritis is combined with chronic cholecystitis, appendicitis, colitis and other diseases of the digestive system.
The most common symptoms are:
- feeling of pressure and fullness in the supragastric region after eating;
- heartburn;
- nausea;
- sometimes dull pain;
- loss of appetite;
- bad taste in the mouth.
In the case of the development of erosive processes in the stomach, superficial lesions of the mucous membrane are found, which can bleed.
- violation of the diet and rhythm, defective and poor quality, spicy and fatty foods, alcohol abuse;
- taking medications that promote the secretion of gastric juice;
- occupational hazards – industrial dust, chemicals, radionuclides;
- smoking;
- stress, neuro-emotional overstrain;
- infection with the microbe Helicobacter pylori;
- genetic predisposition, heredity.
You can identify the nature of gastritis using modern examination methods:
- ultrasound;
- gastroscopy;
- laboratory methods with the determination of the microorganism Helicobacter pylori;
- biochemical blood tests;
- coprology and bacteriology.
In the future, a modern treatment regimen, diet, diet and prevention of possible complications are selected. Chronic gastritis is often the cause of intestinal dysbacteriosis.
Of primary importance is a full and rational diet, adherence to the diet, refusal to use strong alcoholic beverages, smoking. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the oral cavity, timely treat diseases of other organs of the abdominal cavity. Patients with chronic gastritis, especially those with low acidity, should be registered at the dispensary and comprehensively examined at least 2 times a year.