It can lead to other problems. Gastritis can come on suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic). Medications and dietary Gastritis doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in everyone. The most common symptoms are:
nausea
vomiting
a feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen, particularly after eating
indigestion
If you have erosive gastritis, you might experience different symptoms, including:
black, tarry stool
vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
How is gastritis diagnosed? Your doctor will perform a physical exam, ask about your symptoms, and ask for your family history. They may also recommend a breath, blood, or stool test to check for H. In order to get a look at what’s going on inside you, your doctor may want to perform an endoscopy to check for inflammation. An endoscopy involves the use of a long tube that has a camera lens at the tip. During the procedure, your doctor will carefully insert the tube to allow them to see into the esophagus and stomach. Your doctor may take a small sample, or biopsy, of the lining of the stomach if they find anything unusual during the examination. Your doctor may also take X-rays of your digestive tract after you swallow a barium solution, which will help distinguish areas of concern. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. How is gastritis treated? The treatment for gastritis depends on the cause of the condition. If you have gastritis caused by NSAIDs or other drugs, avoiding those drugs may be enough to relieve your symptoms. Gastritis as a result of H. pylori is routinely treated with antibiotics that kill the bacteria. In addition to antibiotics, several other types of medication are used to treat gastritis:
Proton pump inhibitors
Medications called proton pump inhibitors work by blocking cells that create stomach acid. Common proton pump inhibitors include:
omeprazole (Prilosec)
lansoprazole (Prevacid)
esomeprazole (Nexium)
However, long-term use of these medications, especially at high doses, can lead to an increased risk of spine, hip, and wrist fractures. It can also lead to increased risk of renal failureTrusted Source, dementiaTrusted Source, and nutrient deficiencies. Speak to your doctor before beginning one of these medications to create a treatment plan that is right for you. Acid reducing medications
Medications that reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces include:
famotidine (Pepcid)
By lowering the amount of acid that’s released into your digestive tract, these medications relieve the pain of gastritis and allow your stomach lining to heal. Antacids
Your doctor may recommend that you use antacids for rapid relief of gastritis pain. These medications can neutralize the acid in your stomach. Some antacids may cause diarrhea or constipation, so talk to your doctor if you experience any of these side effects. Shop for antacids. Probiotics
Probiotics have been shown to help replenish digestive flora and heal gastric ulcers. However, there’s no evidence that they have any impact on acid secretion. There are currently no guidelines supporting the use of probiotics in ulcer management.
