How to Recognize the Early Signs of Gastritis

Treatment Of Gastritis

The treatment of gastritis is dependent largely on the causative factor. Your physician will recommend the required treatment for you based on what is causing your gastritis. Some of the available treatment options are:

Medications

• Proton pump inhibitors: A good example of this is omeprazole (Prilosec). PPIs help to decrease the quantity of acid being secreted by the stomach, and they are also useful in the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases.
• Antacids: these are medications to minimize the effects of acid secretion on the stomach lining.
• Antibiotics: metronidazole and clarithromycin are antibiotics tested to be active against the H.pylori infection.

Coating agents: sucralfate and misoprostol are two identified agents that when used, help to protect the stomach lining from being eroded by the acid secreted (4).

• Histamine (H2) receptor blocker: a good example is cimetidine which helps to decrease the amount of acid being secreted by the stomach (1).

Lifestyle Modifications

The following lifestyle changes will help in the management of gastritis:

• Avoid alcohol: Excessive alcohol intake has been implicated as a risk factor for gastritis, avoiding alcohol or its excessive intake helps to reduce the risk of gastritis.
• Avoid self-medication: people who self-medicate often use drugs because they are unaware of the side effects, especially pain relievers. Avoiding self-medication on NSAIDs and steroids helps to reduce the risk of gastritis (7).

References:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10349-gastritis
2. https://www.medicinenet.com/gastritis/article.htm
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/gastritis#symptoms
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309046#treatment
5. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/175909-medication
6. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-gastritis
7. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355813