Antral gastritis is a form of chronic gastritis. It is also called rigid. This form of the disease is characterized by the localization of the pathological process in the antrum of the stomach. Moreover, very often this department narrows due to its deformation. As already mentioned, this form of the disease has a chronic course, in which the inflammatory process captures not only the surface layer of the mucous membrane, but also penetrates into the deeper layers.
Causes of the disease
Chronic antral gastritis may be the result of an acute transition. But most often it develops under the influence of various external factors. First of all, these are errors in nutrition. Damage to the mucous membrane is caused by thermally aggressive food (too cold or too hot), the use of spicy foods, rough food, starvation, poor chewing of food, and frequent drinking of alcohol. Antral gastritis can occur as a result of prolonged use of medications that can irritate the mucous membrane, for example, salicylic acid preparations, hormonal and anti-inflammatory drugs. The disease occurs with hypovitaminosis, hypoproteinemia (protein deficiency). Not the least role is played by harmful effects in production (metal salts, coal dust, etc.), chronic diseases of other organs (kidney diseases and metabolic disorders), exposure to infectious agents.
In the vast majority of cases, gastritis is combined with other chronic diseases of the digestive system (cholecystitis, pancreatitis, enteritis, etc.).
Pathological processes in the stomach with gastritis
With constant and prolonged exposure to harmful factors, the motor function of the stomach is disturbed and its secretory activity changes. Then irreversible or partially reversible changes in its mucous membrane occur, the inflammatory process joins and the recovery function suffers. First, the mucous membrane suffers , then the glandular apparatus is involved. The glands in a chronic course are rebuilt and cease to fulfill their normal function.
Gastritis can be an independent disease or occur a second time, against the background of aggravated diseases of the digestive tract. Antral gastritis is also classified depending on the causes of its appearance. It can be endogenous (occurs when exposed to internal causes) or exogenous (when exposed to external factors).
Course of the disease
Antral gastritis is manifested by dull pain in the stomach, upper abdomen. This disease is characterized by dyspepsia (nausea, rumbling in the abdomen, vomiting). There is an increased secretion of gastric juice. Patients complain of burning, loss of appetite, unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is based on patient complaints. An X-ray examination of the stomach is also carried out using contrast. In the pictures you can see the narrowing and deformation of the gatekeeper. This form of gastritis needs to be differentiated with a tumor lesion. The most informative is the endoscopic examination of the stomach and taking a piece of stomach tissue (biopsy) for examination. Such a patient should be under dynamic supervision and at the dispensary.
Treatment
If the diagnosis is "antral gastritis", the treatment is reduced to following a diet and proper nutrition and conducting therapy aimed at the normal evacuation of food and the prevention of exacerbations.
Antispasmodics (No-shpa, Drotaverinum), enveloping preparations (Almagel, etc.), bismuth preparations (De-nol), drugs that stimulate the regeneration of the mucous membrane (Methyluracil, Pentoxyl, etc.) are used. The patient is prescribed multivitamins, mineral waters, depending on the type of secretion, physiotherapeutic procedures. The treatment in the sanatorium has a beneficial effect.