Inflammation of the gastric mucosa is an extremely common disease that affects people of different sexes and ages equally. So why does superficial gastritis occur, what is it and what symptoms are accompanied by? What treatments are there? These questions interest many.
Superficial gastritis: what is it and why does it arise?
The superficial form of gastritis is inflammation and further dystrophic changes in the upper layer of the glandular epithelium of the stomach, but the deeper tissues remain unaffected. This is the initial stage, which in the absence of treatment can progress and lead to damage to the deeper layers and even to the development of peptic ulcer. As for the reasons, they can be different:
- Most often, the development of superficial inflammation is associated with malnutrition. Irregular meals, dry food, the use of excess spices, salty, spicy and sour foods, roughage - all this negatively affects the state of the stomach.
- Risk factors include bad habits. It is proved that in smokers and people who abuse alcohol, gastritis is diagnosed much more often.
- Inflammation of the gastric mucosa is sometimes caused by uncontrolled intake of certain medications.
- Hormonal disorders and diseases of the endocrine system (for example, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease) increase the risk of developing gastritis.
- Chronic foci of infection also contribute to the development of such a disease. This group includes carious teeth, chronic sinusitis, tonsillitis, etc.
- Sometimes the cause may be increased activity of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
Superficial gastritis: what is it and what symptoms are accompanied?
The first stages of inflammation develop slowly due to the constant irritation of the mucous membrane. Therefore, in the initial stages, symptoms may even be absent except for a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
But as it develops, diffuse superficial gastritis begins to cause characteristic signs. In particular, patients often complain of pain in the epigastric region or right hypochondrium, and they can be punctate. In addition, patients suffer from severe heartburn. It is worth noting that all these symptoms worsen after eating, especially if a person has consumed spicy or acidic foods, alcohol.
Symptoms of the disease include periodic nausea. Often people complain of an unpleasant aftertaste in their mouth. Superficial gastritis of the stomach is often accompanied by other digestive disorders - such as vomiting, diarrhea, belching, etc.
In any case, if you have such symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor and go through all the studies necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The sooner you start therapy, the less likely it is to develop complications.
Superficial gastritis: what is it and how to treat it?
Fortunately, no specific treatment is required in the initial stages of the development of the disease. General strengthening therapy and proper nutrition will help stop the further development of gastritis.
Yes, patients are prescribed mineral-vitamin complexes, immunomodulatory drugs. It is also necessary to eliminate the chronic foci of inflammation, if they exist, for example, to heal teeth, get rid of sinusitis, etc. If the cause of gastritis is a bacterial infection, it may be necessary to take antibiotics, but this decision is made by the attending physician.
A sparing diet is crucial . Food should be fractional - it is better to eat more often, but in small portions. In addition, from the diet it is necessary to exclude pickles, canned food, products with artificial colors and preservatives, foods rich in fiber, spicy and spicy dishes. It is necessary to stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.