How to Recognize the Early Signs of Gastritis

Causes Of Gastritis

Several etiological factors have been identified as being responsible for gastritis. Some of them are:

• Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) bacteria: Studies have revealed that an average of 35% of United States residents have H.pylori in their bloodstream and most commonly, this bacteria organism has been discovered to be the commonest cause of gastritis.

• Irritants: Irritants as a cause of erosive or reactive gastritis are not uncommon in the United States, and studies reveal that irritating substances account for 15% of erosive gastritis recorded in the US.

One of the commonest causes of stomach irritation and erosion is the overuse of NSAIDs, examples such as ibuprofen and others have been recorded to irritate the stomach lining when used for a longer time without caution. Other identified irritating agents are alcohol and bile.

• Injury to the Gastrointestinal System: When there is an injury to the gastrointestinal system either directly or indirectly either as a result of trauma or anything found to be damaging the stomach lining, the stomach mucosal can get inflamed and thus gastritis ensues.There could be an iatrogenic trauma for example a post-gastrectomy patient may develop gastritis after surgery mainly due to previous and direct trauma to the stomach. Although studies are still ongoing as to why this should occur, however, it could be a result of overstimulation of the gastric nerve, or an acid reflux increase.

• Autoimmune: Patients with autoimmune atrophic gastritis usually present with gastritis as a result of the body’s immune system attacking its normal cells (4).

• Bile Reflux: Bile is an alkaline fluid produced by the liver, required to activate enzymes that are required for the digestion of fats. When there is a reflux, that is backward flow of the bile to the stomach as against its movement to the small intestine will lead to inflammation of the stomach lining (5).

• Physical Stress: Stress injuries to the body can induce gastritis, and some such stressors are brain injuries and burns (1).