Antral gastritis - what is it? This question is asked by patients when the doctor makes them such a diagnosis. This is a chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which develops for the first few years without any symptoms, after which exacerbations begin to periodically disturb the patient. A gastroenterologist makes a final diagnosis only after a thorough study of the clinic of the disease and the necessary laboratory tests. Let's try to figure out what antral gastritis is, consider what types, symptoms and treatment of this disease are.
Antral gastritis: what is it?
The structure of the stomach is represented by three sections: upper, middle and lower. The latter is precisely called the antrum, or antrum. Its surface consists of glandular cells that produce mucus and bicarbonates. Mucus is a protective layer for the mucosa, preventing hydrochloric acid from corroding it, and bicarbonates alkalize food, and in this form it goes further into the intestines.
Antral gastritis is an inflammation of the lower part of the stomach, and they consider it as the initial stage of chronic gastritis. The resulting inflammatory process blocks the production of bicarbonates, there is an increase in the acidity of the gastric juice, and acidic contents enter the duodenum, leading to the formation of ulcers.
The main cause of pathology
Almost always, chronic gastritis of the antrum is associated with the presence of a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori in the gastric mucosa. Such a pathogen exists quite comfortably with high acidity and dies when it decreases. In adverse conditions, the bacterium can be at rest, and if it gets into a comfortable environment for itself, it will be activated again.
The peculiarity of Helicobacteria is their production of enzymes that change the environment around them. Thus, urea located in the stomach is split by urease to ammonia, contributing to the alkalization of the environment around the microorganism. Mucinase reduces the viscosity of gastric mucus. In such favorable conditions, active bacteria easily penetrate the antrum epithelium of the stomach through a layer of mucus that protects it. There, their rapid reproduction occurs, due to which the mucous membrane begins to be damaged and the work of the gastric glands is disrupted. The pyloric department stops the production of bicarbonates, resulting in an increase in the acidity of the gastric juice, which causes damage to the epithelium of the stomach.
Other causes of pathology
In addition, this disease occurs due to the following reasons:
- duodeno-gastric reflux (due to weakness of the pylorus, intestinal contents begin to be thrown into the stomach);
- taking certain drugs (anti-TB drugs, NSAIDs, salicylates);
- food allergy;
- drinking alcohol;
- malnutrition;
- smoking.
The following internal factors also contribute to the development of this ailment:
- endocrine pathology;
- respiratory and heart failure;
- foci of chronic infection;
- lack of iron;
- kidney disease.
Classification and symptoms of the disease
There are several types of antral gastritis:
- surface;
- erosive;
- follicular;
- hyperplastic;
- diffuse.
They all have their own characteristic symptoms. Next, we briefly dwell on each of them.
Superficial gastritis
With this type of pathology, only the gastric mucosa is affected, without the formation of erosion, ulcers and scars, and the glandular cells continue to function normally. Superficial antral gastritis is treated according to the developed scheme, which is quite effective.
Symptoms of the disease are often similar to signs of many other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. But if from time to time a person is bothered by the following ailments, then this is most likely just superficial gastritis of the antrum:
- sour belching, heartburn - indicate increased acidity;
- problems with stools - there is an alternation of constipation with diarrhea, as the process of digesting food is disrupted;
- pain in the upper part of the stomach - occurs 1-1.5 hours after eating, and may appear between meals;
- nausea and heaviness in the stomach also eloquently indicate that this is superficial antral gastritis.
Erosive gastritis
Such an ailment is considered much more serious than the previous one. In this case, the deeper layers of the stomach are affected with the formation of erosions and ulcers, which can occupy a large area. Such inflammation is quite difficult to treat.
Erosive antral gastritis symptoms are exactly the same as superficial, but its specificity is that the vomit contains streaks of blood, and the stool becomes black due to bleeding ulcers located on the surface of the mucosa.
Follicular gastritis
A very rare disease that occurs on the background of the affected mucosa due to the activation of helicobacteria. In the affected areas, lymphocytes begin to accumulate, follicles appear and the glands that produce bicarbonates clog up. The development of follicular gastritis is due to the characteristics of the human immune system. The characteristic symptoms of this ailment are frequent pains, but not too severe.
Hyperplastic gastritis
The disease is associated with hyperplasia, that is, the proliferation of the mucosa of the antrum. Moreover, this type of gastritis is characterized by the formation of a large number of polyps, small in size. This disease does not have any special signs, and it is diagnosed only during a gastroscopy.
Diffuse gastritis
A distinctive feature of this disease is its extensive distribution area. The inflammatory process affects the entire mucous membrane of the stomach, which leads to a violation of the digestibility of food. As a result, a large number of harmful substances are formed, which, when absorbed, begin to poison the body. The resulting nausea, weakness, and an increase in body temperature eloquently indicate the development of diffuse gastritis.
It should be remembered that the symptoms of antral gastritis may not manifest in a very long way, therefore, at the slightest suspicion of an ailment, it is necessary to be examined by a gastroenterologist.
Antral gastritis treatment
Therapists, endoscopists, gastroenterologists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology. In case of exacerbation, the patient is sent to the department of therapy or gastroenterology. Treatment begins with the appointment of a special diet. In addition, the doctor must prescribe anti-Helicobacter pills. Treatment of antral gastritis is quite complicated, since the bacterium that caused this disease quickly adapts to the antibiotics used. A double or triple treatment regimen is usually prescribed, which includes Clarithromycin, Metronidazole, Tetracycline, or Ampicillin. Inhibitors of the proton pump inhibiting the bacterium are also added to this scheme, and with the help of antibacterial drugs they are completely eradicated.
Treatment of the disease can be carried out not only with medicines, but also with herbs. Traditional medicine recommends during the period of exacerbation to use infusions of mint, chamomile, flax seeds, and St. John's wort. If erosion has formed on the mucous membrane of the antrum, antisecretory drugs are prescribed . With spasm of the pylorus, myotropic antispasmodics such as Papaverine and No-Shpa are used. Antral reflux gastritis is treated with agents that improve intestinal motility, for example, “Cerucal”.
In order to achieve a full recovery, prescribed reparative drugs. It can be means that stimulate protein synthesis (anabolic steroids, Riboxin), Carnitine, Solcoseryl, Gastrofarm, sea buckthorn oil.
Physiotherapy is also of great importance: UHF, galvanization of the stomach with electrophoresis of drugs, treatment with Bernard diadynamic currents, ultrasound (for pain relief), sinusoidal modulated currents (to eliminate dyspepsia and pain). After removing the exacerbation, it is advisable to carry out mud and paraffin therapy, as well as treatment with mineral waters.
Food
Even if a patient is diagnosed with mild antral gastritis, some restrictions should be introduced into your diet. Allowed to eat:
- skinless chicken boiled meat or rabbit meat, fish;
- cereals;
- sweet berries;
- soup - vegetable and pea;
- white bread crackers;
- pasta;
- steamed cutlets;
- vegetable puree;
- weak tea.
The following products are prohibited:
- smoked meats, spices, spices;
- canned, fried and fatty dishes;
- fast food;
- chocolate;
- carbonated and alcoholic drinks;
- flour pastry;
- products that can cause fermentation - brown bread, sour cream, grapes, milk.
Herring, fried foods without breading, rich broths, the patient’s caviar should be returned to his diet gently and only when the acute phase of the pathological condition has passed.
Moderate antral gastritis, as well as its more severe forms, requires caution when using the following products:
- dried fruits (prunes, raisins, dates, figs);
- fat meat;
- fresh bread;
- products that include coarse fiber.
Prevention of Antral Gastritis
So, we discussed how antral gastritis is manifested and treated . What it is? This is a rather unpleasant ailment, and in order to avoid the development of a severe inflammatory process in the stomach, you should quit all bad habits, start eating right, avoid emotional and physical stress and observe the normal daily routine.
If you start treatment in a timely manner, follow all the doctor's recommendations, adhere to proper nutrition and regimen, then the prognosis in this case is quite favorable. A neglected disease passes into a diffuse form, which can result in the formation of ulcers or tumors of the stomach.
Output
Thus, you could see how insular antral gastritis is. What it is? This is an inflammatory disease of one of the sections of the stomach, which can last for a very long time without any symptoms. In advanced cases, it provokes the occurrence of a stomach tumor and other serious pathologies, therefore it is so important to monitor your health and take preventive measures to prevent the development of such an ailment.