Chronic gastritis: causes, symptoms, and how to deal with it

The medical world usually uses the terms "chronic" and "acute" to distinguish a disease based on its nature. A disease is said to be chronic when the condition develops slowly and has lasted for more than 6 months. Almost all diseases can be divided into chronic, including ulcers. There are acute ulcers and there are also chronic ulcers. Learn more about chronic gastritis below.

Definition of chronic gastritis

According to the Medical University of South Carolina, chronic gastritis is a condition that has been around for a long time and has persisted until now. Long-term ulcers also often come back suddenly at certain times.

Please note beforehand that ulcer is not a disease that stands alone. Ulcer is a term to describe various symptoms associated with indigestion. That is why there are actually various diseases that cause ulcers.

Digestive disorders such as stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stomach infections due to bacteria, GERD or stomach acid reflux, to inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) can cause ulcer symptoms.

But of all these diseases, chronic conditions are only caused by gastritis. In other words, the term chronic gastritis is a symptom that is only experienced by people with chronic gastritis.

What causes chronic gastritis?

These chronic digestive problems are usually the result of inflammation of the stomach lining. Inflammation of this layer is not only due to increased acid production, here are some things that cause gastritis that leads to ulcers, such as:

1. H. pylori bacterial infection

Infections caused by bacteria Heliobacter pylori can cause irritation and injury to the lining of the stomach. This is one of the most common causes of chronic gastritis, which can be transmitted through food, water, saliva, or other bodily fluids.

2. Irritation of the stomach lining

Just like bacterial infections, some persistent habits can also cause ulcers in the stomach, such as:

• Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), eg aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
• Severe stress
• Radiation exposure
• Bile reflux due to bile into the stomach
• Too often and drink a lot of alcohol

3. Autoimmune reactions

Autoimmune reactions can cause chronic gastritis, because the immune system attacks the lining of the stomach wall which is not a problem. This condition gradually causes the cells in the protective lining of the stomach wall to become inflamed and eventually damaged.

One of the damaged cells is the parietal cell, which is responsible for absorbing vitamin B12. So indirectly, this autoimmune reaction causes disturbances related to the absorption of vitamin B12. The body can then develop anemia due to a lack of B12, also known as pernicious anemia.

Signs and symptoms of chronic gastritis

Gastritis, which is the initial cause of chronic gastritis, usually tends to be difficult to realize because the symptoms appear gradually. Ulcers due to gastritis caused by H. pylori bacterial infection usually do not cause specific symptoms.

However, overall the various symptoms that appear when chronic gastritis relapses include:

• Abdominal pain or pain at the top
• Bloated
• Nausea and vomiting
• There is a burning feeling in the stomach
• Stomach pain after eating
• Feel full quickly and stomach full
• Loss of appetite
• Easy burp
• Weight loss

Various symptoms that affect digestion due to gastritis can be felt at the same time, or only a few of them. If you experience disturbing symptoms, immediately seek treatment to a doctor.

Medication to treat chronic gastritis

The development of this condition is indeed taking place gradually. However, if the right treatment is not given immediately, this condition can progress to worsening.

Without treatment, over time the stomach wall will thin and eventually cause bleeding. If left untreated, ulcers that are already severe due to gastritis will cause anemia.

But you don't need to worry, not just one, but there are various treatments that can be given to treat ulcers due to gastritis. All these treatments will later be readjusted to the underlying cause of the ulcer due to chronic gastritis.

You are not only advised to avoid all the causes that can make this condition recur. It should also be supported by the consumption of the right drugs to relieve symptoms and stop recurrences.

In short, the treatment of chronic gastritis usually depends on the underlying cause of this condition. Well, here are some chronic ulcer drugs for gastritis that can be taken to help deal with complaints according to the cause:

1. Antacids

Antacids are a drug option that can be taken to relieve symptoms of chronic gastritis due to gastritis. The way it works is by reducing the amount of acid production, neutralizing acid in the stomach, and inhibiting the rise of acid into the esophagus.

You can find this medicine easily at the nearest pharmacy with chewable tablets and liquid. There are two drinking rules, it can be on an empty stomach, or after being filled with food.

Antacids are recommended to be taken several hours before eating or 1 hour after eating.

2. H-2 receptor blockers

H-2 receptor blockers are used to reduce the amount of acid production in the stomach. An example of this drug is ranitidine (Zantac®), which can be taken on an empty stomach or filled with food.

This medicine can be taken about 1-2 times a day, at the time before meals, after meals, or at bedtime.

3.Proton pump inhibitors (PPI)

PPI drugs can help relieve symptoms of chronic gastritis due to gastritis by reducing the production of acid from the stomach. The dosage of this drug is usually much stronger than antacids and h-2 receptor blockers.

Examples include omeprazole (Prilosec®) and lansoprazole (Prevacid 24 HR®) for low doses. Meanwhile, PPI drugs with stronger doses can only be obtained with the approval of a doctor.

4. Antibiotics

Antiobiotics should not be used carelessly. This drug is not actually aimed directly at treating chronic gastritis.

However, if a chronic gastritis caused by an infection with H. pylori bacteria, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics. Examples include clarithromycin (Biaxin) and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, or others) or metronidazole (Flagyl).

5. Supplements

Chronic gastritis due to gastritis which is triggered by autoimmune reactions cannot be specifically treated. However, you can use additional supplements to treat vitamin B12 deficiency that triggers autoimmune reactions.

Additional supplements to meet the needs of vitamin B23 can be through drinking tablets, injection, or intravenous infusion.

How to prevent chronic gastritis

Ulcer itself can be prevented. However, if this condition has already become chronic due to gastritis, relapse can only be prevented by minimizing the initial cause. For example, by reducing or completely eliminating drinking alcohol, consumption of NSAID drugs, stress, and so on.

After all these causes are eliminated slowly, it can automatically prevent the possibility of recurrence of chronic gastritis. But in its treatment, you are advised not to just stop the habits that trigger the condition.

But also accompanied by taking medicines that can help relieve symptoms. Because if it is not treated quickly and appropriately, chronic ulcers due to gastritis are at risk of developing worse.

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