Gastritis

Gastritis is a stomach disorder in which the lining becomes inflamed, and it may be acute or chronic. Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the most common type worldwide, and this infection and the gastritis it causes are more frequent in older people. Main causes are that infection, anti-inflammatory painkillers and aspirin, heavy alcohol intake and an autoimmune attack on the stomach lining; severe illness or stomach surgery can also trigger it. Many people have no symptoms; others notice upper abdominal pain, indigestion, bloating, nausea, vomiting and reduced appetite, while black stools or vomited blood point to bleeding. Assessment may include breath or stool tests for the bacterium, blood tests and endoscopy with a biopsy. Treatment depends on the cause and can include antibiotics where bacteria are responsible, acid-lowering medicines and avoiding irritants. Untreated gastritis may progress to a stomach ulcer.

Seek urgent care for vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, or difficulty swallowing. See a doctor for heartburn more than twice a week, a change in bowel habit lasting more than three weeks, or unexplained weight loss. Call the local emergency number for any symptom that is sudden and severe. This page is a reference for healthcare professionals and does not replace an assessment.