Table of contents:
- What are the causes of atrophic gastritis?
- What are the symptoms and signs of atrophic gastritis?
- How do doctors diagnose it?
- Treatment for atrophic gastritis
Atrophic gastritis is a condition when the inner lining of the stomach becomes inflamed for several years. If left untreated, this inflammation will gradually destroy the cells in the lining of your stomach. So that, know this condition more deeply and don't let this disease be ignored.
What are the causes of atrophic gastritis?
This inflammation is most often the result of a bacterial infection H.pylori . These bacteria will interfere with the mucus or mucus that protects the stomach lining and interfere with the acids needed to digest food.
These infections often occur during childhood and will get worse over time if left untreated.
Direct contact with the feces, vomit, or saliva of a person who is infected with atrophic gastritis can pass the bacteria from person to person. This infection can also occur due to eating food or drinking drinks contaminated with these bacteria.
Apart from being caused by bacteria, in some cases this atrophic gastritis occurs due to autoimmune conditions. This is a condition in which the body's antibodies, which are supposed to recognize and fight bacterial infections, attack the healthy stomach cells. As a result, the production of stomach acid which is needed to digest food is disrupted due to the attack from the body's own antibodies.
Type of infection H.pylori's quite common in the world, and more prevalent in densely populated areas.
For atrophic gastritis this is quite rare. However, people who have thyroid disorders or diabetes are more likely to be at risk of having this condition.
What are the symptoms and signs of atrophic gastritis?
Most people don't realize they have atrophic gastritis, because they may not have the symptoms that really make them want to see a doctor right away. This condition can last for years because it is considered a common complaint.
When a bacterial infection occurs H.pylori, then the symptoms and signs that occur are:
- Stomach ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- No appetite
- There has been unwanted weight loss
- Ulcer symptoms
- Iron deficiency anemia
When atrophic gastritis is caused by autoimmunity, the symptoms are different:
- Pain in the chest
- Fatigue
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- Dizzy
- Heart palpitations
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Nerve damage (in severe cases)
How do doctors diagnose it?
Initially the doctor will perform a physical examination before running further tests. The doctor will feel the stomach for complaints in the area. Often times, doctors also order blood tests to:
- See if there is a decrease in vitamin B12
- Low or not pepsinogen levels (pepsinogen is a protein produced by stomach cells)
- Seeing the condition of gastrin hormone levels, which is a hormone that functions to produce acid in the stomach
If the doctor suspects that the patient has an infection H.pylori , then asked to do a breathing test. People who own H.pylori in the body will release carbon when breathing.
Then the doctor will perform a test on the person's breath with a tool. If carbon is found, it is likely that bacteria are present H.pylori lodged in the stomach.
Or if needed, the doctor will perform a biopsy by removing stomach cells through an endoscopic procedure.
Treatment for atrophic gastritis
The doctor will treat it by prescribing antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause infection. In addition, you may also be prescribed medication to reduce stomach acid production when your stomach is getting better.
In the case of autoimmune atrophic gastritis, the doctor may prescribe vitamin B12 injections. These injections are given to prevent or relieve complications from a vitamin B12 deficiency.
x
