Gastritis

Gastritis

Classification and external resources

Micrograph showing gastritis. H&E stain.

ICD-10

K29.0-K29.7

ICD-9

535.0-535.5

MedlinePlus

001150

eMedicine

emerg/820 med/852

MeSH

D005756

Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, and has many possible causes.[1] The main acute causes are excessive alcoholconsumption or prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Sometimes gastritis develops after major surgery, traumatic injury, burns, or severe infections. Gastritis may also occur in those who have had weight loss surgery resulting in the banding or reconstruction of the digestive tract. Chronic causes are infection with bacteria, primarily Helicobacter pylori, chronic bile reflux, and stress; certain autoimmune disorders can cause gastritis as well. The most common symptom is abdominal upset or pain. Other symptoms are indigestion, abdominal

bloating, nausea, and vomiting and pernicious anemia. Some may have a feeling of fullness or burning in the upper abdomen.[2][3] A gastroscopy, blood test, complete blood count test, or a stool test may be used to diagnose gastritis.[4] Treatment includes taking antacids or other medicines, such as proton pump inhibitors or antibiotics, and avoiding hot or spicy foods. For those with pernicious anemia, B12 injections are given, but more often oral B12 supplements are recommended.[5]
Contents
[hide]

1 Signs and symptoms 2 Causes

o o

2.1 Acute 2.2 Chronic

3 Diagnosis

2.2.1 Metaplasia 2.2.2 Coffee 2.2.3 Helicobacter pylori

4 Treatment 5 See also 6 References

Signs and symptoms[edit source | editbeta]

A peptic ulcer may accompany gastritis.Endoscopic image.

Many people with gastritis experience no symptoms at all. However, upper central abdominal pain is the most common symptom; the pain may be dull, vague, burning, aching, gnawing, sore, or sharp.[6] Pain is usually

located in the upper central portion of the abdomen,[3] but it may occur anywhere from the upper left portion of the abdomen around to the back. Other signs and symptoms may include:

Nausea Vomiting (if present, may be clear, green or yellow, blood-streaked, or completely bloody, depending on the severity of the stomach inflammation)

Belching (if present, usually does not relieve the pain much) Bloating Early satiety[6] Loss of appetite Unexplained weight loss

Causes[edit source | editbeta]

Acute[edit source | editbeta]
Erosive gastritis is a gastric mucosal erosion caused by damage to mucosal defenses.[2] Alcohol consumption does not cause chronic gastritis. It does, however, erode the mucosal lining of the stomach; low doses of alcohol stimulate hydrochloric acid secretion. High doses of alcohol do not stimulate secretion of acid.[7] NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase-1, or COX-1, an enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of eicosanoids in the stomach, which increases the possibility of peptic ulcers forming.[8] Also, NSAIDs, such as aspirin, reduce a substance that protects the stomach called prostaglandin. These drugs used in a short period are not typically dangerous. However, regular use can lead to gastritis.[9]

Chronic[edit source | editbeta]

Chronic gastritis refers to a wide range of problems of the gastric tissues.[2] The immune system makes proteins and antibodies that fight infections in the body to maintain a homeostaticcondition. In some disorders the body targets the stomach as if it were a foreign protein or pathogen; it makes antibodies against, severely damages, and may even destroy the stomach or its lining.[9] In some cases bile, normally used to aid digestion in the small intestine, will enter through the pyloric valve of the stomach if it has been removed during surgery or does not work properly, also leading to gastritis. Gastritis may also be caused by other medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, certain connective tissue disorders, and liver or kidney failure.[10]

Metaplasia[edit source | editbeta]

Mucous gland metaplasia, the reversible replacement of differentiated cells, occurs in the setting of severe damage of the gastric glands, which then waste away (atrophic gastritis) and are progressively replaced by mucous glands. Gastric ulcers may develop; it is unclear if they are the causes or the consequences. Intestinal

metaplasia typically begins in response to chronic mucosal injury in the antrum, and may extend to the body. Gastric mucosa cells change to resemble intestinal mucosa and may even assume absorptive characteristics. Intestinal metaplasia is classified histologically as complete or incomplete. With complete metaplasia, gastric mucosa is completely transformed into small-bowel mucosa, both histologically and functionally, with the ability to absorb nutrients and secrete peptides. In incomplete metaplasia, the epithelium assumes a histologic appearance closer to that of the large intestine and frequently exhibits dysplasia.[2]

Coffee[edit source | editbeta]

Coffee can damage the lining of the gastrointestinal organs, causing gastritis and ulcers. The consumption of coffee is therefore not recommended for people with gastritis, colitis, and ulcers. [11]

Helicobacter pylori[edit source | editbeta]

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the stomach of more than half of the world's population, and the infection continues to play a key role in the pathogenesis of a number of gastroduodenal diseases. Colonization of the gastric mucosa with Helicobacter pylori results in the development of chronic gastritis in infected individuals, and in a subset of patients chronic gastritis progresses to complications (e.g., ulcer disease, gastric neoplasias, some distinct extragastric disorders).[12] However, gastritis has no adverse consequences for most hosts, and emerging evidence suggests that H. pylori prevalence is inversely related to gastroesophageal reflux disease and allergic disorders. These observations indicate that eradication may not be appropriate for certain populations owing to the potentially beneficial effects conferred by persistent gastric inflammation. [13]

Diagnosis[edit source | editbeta]

Often, a diagnosis can be made based on the patient's description of his or her symptoms, but other methods which may be used to verify gastritis include:

Blood tests:

Blood cell count Presence of H. pylori Liver, kidney, gallbladder, or pancreas functions

Urinalysis Stool sample, to look for blood in the stool X-rays ECGs Endoscopy, to check for stomach lining inflammation and mucous erosion Stomach biopsy, to test for gastritis and other conditions [14]

Treatment[edit source | editbeta]

Over-the-counter antacids in liquid or tablet form are a common treatment for mild gastritis. [15] Antacids neutralize stomach acid and can provide fast pain relief. When antacids do not provide enough relief, medications such as cimetidine, ranitidine, nizatidine or famotidine that help reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces are often prescribed.[15] An even more effective way to limit stomach acid production is to shut down the acid "pumps" within acid-secreting stomach cells. Proton pump inhibitors reduce acid by blocking the action of these small pumps.[15] This class of medications includes omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, and esomeprazole. Proton pump inhibitors also appear to inhibit H. pylori activity.[16] Cytoprotective agents are designed to help protect the tissues that line the stomach and small intestine. They include the medications sucralfate and misoprostol. If NSAIDs are being taken regularly, one of these medications to protect the stomach may also be taken. Another cytoprotective agent is bismuth subsalicylate. Many people also drink milk to relieve symptoms, however the high calcium levels actually stimulate release of gastric acid from parietal cells, ultimately worsening symptoms. In addition to protecting the lining of stomach and intestines, bismuth preparations appear to inhibit H. pyloriactivity as well. Several regimens are used to treat H. pylori infection. Most use a combination of two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor. Sometimes bismuth is also added to the regimen. The antibiotic aids in destroying the bacteria, and the acid blocker or proton pump inhibitor relieves pain and nausea, heals inflammation, and may increase the antibiotic's effectiveness.[17]

See also[edit source | editbeta]

Stomach Gastroenteritis Infection Esophagitis

References[edit source | editbeta]

1. Jump up^ "Gastritis". University of Maryland Medical Center (University of Maryland Medical System). 2002-12-01. Retrieved 2008-10-07. 2. 3. ^ Jump up to: ^ Jump up to:
a b c d a b

"Gastritis". Merck. January 2007. Retrieved 2009-01-11.

"Gastritis". National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (National Institute of

Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases). December 2004. Retrieved 2008-10-06. 4. Jump up^ "Gastritis: Diagnostic Tests for Gastritis". Wrong Diagnosis. December 30, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-11. 5. 6. Jump up^ "What is Gastritis?". Cleveland Clinic (WebMD). Retrieved 2009-01-11. ^ Jump up to:
a b

"Gastritis Symptoms". eMedicineHealth. 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-18.

7.

Jump up^ Wolff G (1989). "[Effect of alcohol on the stomach]" [Effect of alcohol on the stomach].Gastroenterol J (in German) 49 (2): 459. PMID 2679657.

8.

Jump up^ Dajani EZ, Islam K (August 2008). "Cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxicity of selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors in man" (PDF). J Physiol Pharmacol. 59 Suppl 2: 11733.PMID 18812633.

9.

^ Jump up to: 2008-11-18.

a b

Siegelbaum, Jackson (2006). "Gastritis". Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterolgoy. Retrieved

10. Jump up^ "Gastritis". MayoClinic. April 13, 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-18. 11. Jump up^ "Gastritis". AJC. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
[dead link]

12. Jump up^ Kandulski A, Selgrad M, Malfertheiner P (August 2008). "Helicobacter pylori infection: a clinical overview". Digestive and Liver Disease 40 (8): 61926. doi:10.1016/j.dld.2008.02.026.PMID 18396114. 13. Jump up^ Peek RM (2008). "Helicobacter pylori infection and disease: from humans to animal models". Disease Models & Mechanisms 1 (1): 50 5. doi:10.1242/dmm.000364.PMC 2561984. PMID 19048053. 14. Jump up^ "Exams and Tests". eMedicinHealth. 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-18. 15. ^ Jump up to:
a b c

Zajac, P; Holbrook, A; Super, ME; Vogt, M (March-April 2013). "An overview: Current

clinical guidelines for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and management of dyspepsia". Osteopathic Family Physician 5 (2): 7985. doi:10.1016/j.osfp.2012.10.005. 16. Jump up^ Boparai V, Rajagopalan J, Triadafilopoulos G (2008). "Guide to the use of proton pump inhibitors in adult patients". Drugs 68 (7): 92547. doi:10.2165/00003495-20086807000004.PMID 18457460. 17. Jump up^ "Gastritis: Treatment". CNN (CNN.com). 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
[dead link]