Acute gastritis: definition, causes, symptoms, and how to deal with it

Ulcers can be classified into two conditions, namely chronic ulcers and acute ulcers. If you experience sudden symptoms and feel very sick, it could be a sign of an acute ulcer. Come on, learn more about the causes, symptoms, as well as the following treatments.

Definition of acute gastritis

Before discussing further about this digestive problem, you should first understand that ulcers are not really a special disease. Yes, ulcers or dyspepsia known as the medical term is just a term used to indicate a set of symptoms that attack the digestive system.

Acute gastritis can be interpreted as a symptom of an ulcer that appears suddenly and lasts briefly, but the intensity of the pain is immediately strong.

In contrast to chronic gastritis, which may have appeared for some time and can recur at any time. Symptoms also last for a long time, can appear and disappear over time.

Well, the ulcer itself can be caused by a variety of different diseases. Includes GERD or acid reflux, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastric ulcers, and stomach infections.

Of the various diseases that cause ulcers, only gastritis can be divided into chronic and acute. This means that the acute ulcer that you are experiencing is actually a symptom of inflammation of the stomach (acute gastritis).

According to the Cleveland Clinic, acute gastritis is a very common digestive disease, and this indicates that acute gastritis symptoms are also common.

Causes of acute gastritis

This type of ulcer occurs when the lining of the stomach weakens, causing irritation due to an increase in the amount of acid. Some of the following things that can cause acute gastritis due to irritation of the stomach lining due to gastritis are:

1. Too often taking painkillers

NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Although it plays a role in dealing with pain, you should be careful when taking this medicine.

The reason is, taking NSAID drugs regularly for a long time can lead to stomach irritation. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are examples of NSAID drugs.

2. Bacterial infection

Bacterial infection Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori that enter the body can cause acute gastritis due to gastritis. These bacteria can come from food, drinking water, saliva, and other things that have been contaminated.

Apart from bacteria, various viruses, fungi, worms and other parasites can also cause infections.

3. Bile into the stomach

Normally, the liquid that is produced by bile should not enter the stomach. However, when this condition occurs, the lining of the stomach can become irritated. Finally, you will feel sudden ulcer symptoms caused by gastritis.

4. Drinking excess alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol is always associated with health risks afterward. In this case, drinking excessive alcohol can also lead to gastritis which then leads to ulcers.

5. Allergies, intolerances, and food poisoning

Having allergies, and experiencing food intolerance and poisoning can cause irritation and inflammation of the stomach. This condition will then cause acute gastritis, so that it develops into ulcers.

Signs and symptoms of acute gastritis

The following are various symptoms of acute gastritis due to gastritis that generally occur are:

• Digestive problems
• Nausea and vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain at the top
• Burning feeling in the stomach that can radiate to the chest and esophagus
• Feel full quickly after eating

Actually, this condition can be cured quickly with proper treatment at home. However, you should immediately consult a doctor when the symptoms do not go away for more than one week, and you experience vomiting of blood.

Moreover, sometimes, these symptoms do not only indicate gastritis that leads to acute gastritis. However, it can also be a sign of other health problems.

Drugs and how to deal with acute ulcers

If the chronic ulcer healing process is recommended to avoid the cause and take medication, acute gastritis is not the case. This condition will usually get better soon by avoiding the original cause.

But in addition, some medicines can also be given as an additional treatment to speed up the healing process.

The drugs used to relieve the two symptoms of ulcers are actually not much different. It's just that, there are slight differences in the rules for taking and the dosage of the drug. Several drug options to treat acute gastritis due to gastritis are:

1. Antacids

Antacids to relieve ulcers due to gastritis work by neutralizing the production of acid in the stomach. The dose of taking antacids when your stomach recurs will usually increase.

Follow the recommendations of doctors and pharmacists regarding the rules for taking medication. However, antacids usually should not be used for a long time because they cause several side effects such as constipation, headaches, and nausea.

2. H-2 receptor blockers

Handling of acute gastritis due to gastritis can use h-2 receptor blockers, because it helps reduce acid production in the stomach.

Famotidine (Pepcid®) and cimetidine (Tagamet®) are several types of h-2 receptor blocker drugs. Follow the recommended drug consumption given by the doctor, pharmacist, or printed on the drug packaging label.

This medicine is usually recommended to be taken for 10-60 minutes before meals.

3.Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) or proton pump inhibitors play a role in reducing acid production in the stomach. You can buy low-dose PPI drugs over the counter, but you need a doctor's prescription to get a higher dose.

Omeprazole (Prilosec®) and esomeprazole (Nexium®) are some examples of PPI drugs. Rules for taking this medicine are usually recommended once a day. Avoid taking PPI medications for more than 14 days.

4. Coating agent

If you are among those who regularly take NSAIDs, coating agent drugs can help overcome the appearance of acute gastritis symptoms due to gastritis.

The reason is, the coating agent drug serves as a protector of the stomach lining, and prevents it from becoming irritated. Sucralfate (Carafte®) and misoprostol (Cytotec®) are coating agent drugs that are usually given by doctors.

5. Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to treat acute gastritis caused by H. pylori bacterial infection. Treatment with antibiotics is usually carried out for 10 days to 4 weeks according to your condition.

How to prevent acute gastritis

Indeed, there are several causes that can cause acute ulcers. But don't worry, because you can prevent the risk of developing these conditions by:

• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Always wash your hands before and after eating, traveling, or from the toilet to prevent infection.
• Cook food until cooked, or pay attention to the cleanliness of food purchased outside the home.
• Take NSAID drugs in moderation, with not long-term consumption.

For those of you who have to take NSAIDs for a long time and experience ulcer symptoms, you should talk to your doctor further. Usually the doctor will provide other types of drugs to treat the condition.

If NSAIDs are still needed for a certain period of time, the doctor will give you other types of drugs to prevent irritation of the stomach.

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