Have you ever had a stomach ache that made you nauseous, vomited and even fainted? It could be a sign you have chronic gastritis. What is chronic gastritis? Let's discuss more in the following article.
Definition of Chronic Gastritis
Chronic gastritis is a condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed over a long period of time. Generally, ulcers are not dangerous, but if the ulcer turns into a chronic ulcer, it can lead to life-threatening complications.
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Causes of Chronic Gastritis
Chronic gastritis has symptoms that can appear repeatedly even for years. Generally, chronic ulcers occur in people over the age of 50, but can also occur in younger people. Chronic gastritis can be caused by various factors:
- bacterial infection
- stomach irritation due to drug consumption
- food poisoning
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Other causes of chronic gastritis can include:
- Stomach cancer
- auto-immune disease
- infection with certain diseases (eg HIV/AIDS)
- Crohn's disease
- gastric surgery which increases the exposure of the stomach to bile
Symptoms of Chronic Gastritis
In some cases, chronic gastritis does not cause symptoms, but it does not rule out that chronic gastritis has some common symptoms such as:
1. stomach ache in the pit of the stomach
Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms. The area that will feel pain is in the upper abdomen, to be precise in the solar plexus area. Pain that appears can make you feel uncomfortable, it can even hinder daily activities.
2. often vomit
In addition, chronic ulcer sufferers can also cause nausea and vomiting. As a result, eating becomes uncomfortable and the body's nutritional intake is also reduced. When chronic gastritis occurs, nausea and vomiting will appear after eating. Especially if the consumption of food is too much and in a hurry.
3. Stomach feels bloated
Another symptom that often occurs for people with chronic gastritis is feeling bloated in the stomach due to accumulation of gas in the stomach. This bloating can cause a feeling of fullness faster even though the food consumed is still in small portions.
4. Stomach feels full after eating
Have you ever felt full or bloated after eating? It could be that you are experiencing gastric disease. Generally, the feeling of bloating will also be followed by an increase in stomach acid. Of course, this will make you feel uncomfortable to the point where it interferes with your daily activities.
5. decreased appetite
Decreased appetite can be said to be the cause of rising stomach acid to cause discomfort when eating. If this happens continuously it can make the body less nutritional intake.
6. weight loss
Weight loss can occur as a result of a lack of appetite. Chronic gastritis that causes stomach acid to rise, it can cause appetite to move.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for an evaluation.
Treatments that can be done
There are several treatments for chronic gastritis that can be done depending on how severe the chronic ulcer is. Without treatment, chronic gastritis can become chronic, therefore treatment is very important for people with chronic gastritis.
Treatment that can be done for chronic gastritis usually includes taking antibiotics and antacid drugs. In addition, the doctor will also recommend injections of vitamins to add nutrients that were previously unfulfilled.
In addition, consultation with a doctor also needs to be considered. Some chronic ulcer sufferers think that this disease will not be dangerous so they do not do further consultation with a specialist in internal medicine. In fact, if left without clear treatment, chronic ulcers can lead to life-threatening complications.
How to Overcome Chronic Gastritis
First, try to identify and avoid the triggers that may be causing your symptoms. Common triggers include spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking.
You can also try eating smaller meals more often throughout the day instead of having large meals. Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Avoid fatty or greasy foods, as they can irritate the lining of the stomach.
Lastly, make sure to get plenty of exercise and drink plenty of water every day. This will help keep your digestive system functioning properly. In conclusion, chronic gastritis is a serious condition that should be treated by a doctor. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious health problems.
If you experience symptoms of chronic gastritis, immediately consult a team of internal medicine specialists at Royal Progress Hospital.