Gastritis Is More Than Just a Stomachache

Have you ever vomited blood or had a dark stool with coffee-ground material? Have you ever had stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, or continuous hiccups? Then you could be among the more than 10% of people who visit a hospital's emergency room with gastritis. Gastritis is a frequent stomach medical condition.

The stomach is a digestive organ that is placed directly below the ribs in the abdomen. Food is combined with stomach juices including enzymes and hydrochloric acid as it is swallowed. The epithelium, or stomach lining, is stratified and has many folds. Mucus (gastric mucosa) is secreted by specific glands and coats the epithelium. This lining becomes inflamed as a result of gastritis. 

Gastritis develops when a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, or the persistent use of certain treatments or medications, weakens the stomach's and duodenum's protective mucous coating, allowing acid to reach the sensitive lining beneath. Most peptic ulcers are caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. 

Gastritis, on the other hand, is a collection of disorders that all result in inflammation of the stomach lining. Inflammation of the stomach occurs when white blood cells migrate into the stomach wall in reaction to a stomach injury. Infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers is the most common cause of inflammation. Other reasons that can cause gastritis include acute injury and the constant use of certain pain medications. 

Gastritis can be caused by a variety of things, including infection, alcohol, some drugs, and certain allergy or immunological diseases. It might be acute, with severe bouts lasting a day or two, or chronic, with persistent nausea and appetite loss. Gastritis frequently has no symptoms (asymptomatic).