Gastritis – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Doctors usually start by asking about your symptoms and medical history. Then, they’ll do a physical exam. Depending on your health and what they suspect, they might suggest a few different tests.
Tests to Detect H. pylori
To check for Helicobacter pylori infection, your doctor might order a stool test or a breath test. In the breath test, you’ll drink a special liquid with a tiny bit of radioactive carbon.
If you have H. pylori in your stomach, the bacteria break down the liquid. Later, you’ll breathe into a bag, and they’ll check for radioactive carbon in your breath.
If it shows up, that means you have the infection. The stool test looks for traces of H. pylori in your sample.
Upper Endoscopy (Gastroscopy)
For an upper endoscopy, or gastroscopy, a doctor slides a thin, flexible tube with a camera (an endoscope) down your throat into your stomach and small intestine.
This lets them see the lining for redness, swelling, or other issues. It’s a handy way to spot inflammation or ulcers.
If something unusual arises, your doctor might take a biopsy. They’ll remove tiny samples of tissue through the endoscope.
Lab tests on these samples can check for infection, inflammation, or even cancer cells. Biopsies can also show if H. pylori is hanging out in your stomach lining.
X-ray with Barium Swallow
Here, you’ll drink a white liquid with barium in it. The barium coats your digestive tract, and then they take special X-rays.
This makes it easier to spot problems in the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine, like abnormal growths or ulcers.
Table: Main Diagnostic Tools
| Test Name | What It Does | Common Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Breath Test | Detects H. pylori using breath after drinking solution | Suspected H. pylori |
| Stool Test | Looks for H. pylori in a stool sample | Suspected H. pylori |
| Upper Endoscopy | Views the digestive lining with a camera tube | Find inflammation/ulcers |
| Biopsy | Removes tissue samples for lab tests | Check for infection/cancer |
| X-ray with Barium Swallow | Uses X-rays after swallowing barium to spot abnormalities | See tract shape/problems |
Doctors choose tests based on your symptoms, medical history, and age. These tests help confirm gastritis and identify its cause, allowing treatment to target the problem effectively.
Treatment
How you treat gastritis really depends on what’s causing it. If medicines like NSAIDs or alcohol are the culprit, stopping them often helps a lot. Other treatments focus on lowering stomach acid or fighting infections.
Common treatment options include:
- Antibiotics for H. pylori Infection: If you have an H. pylori infection, your doctor will probably give you a mix of antibiotics for about 7 to 14 days. It’s important to finish the whole course, even if you feel better. Once you’re done, they’ll usually run tests again to make sure the bacteria are gone.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): These meds lower how much acid your stomach makes and help heal the lining.You can get some PPIs over the counter, but some need a prescription. Long-term or high-dose use can raise your risk of bone fractures, so sometimes your doctor will suggest a calcium supplement along with them.
- Acid Blockers (Histamine Blockers): These also lower stomach acid, which can ease pain and help healing. They’re available both by prescription and over the counter.
- Antacids: Antacids work fast by neutralizing stomach acid already there. They aren’t the main treatment, but they can give short-term relief. Depending on the ingredients, they might cause constipation or diarrhea.
| Treatment Option | Main Use | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Kill H. pylori infection | Must complete full course |
| Proton Pump Inhibitors | Reduce acid, promote healing | Possible bone risk with long-term use |
| Acid Blockers | Lower stomach acid, ease discomfort | Prescription or over the counter available |
| Antacids | Quick symptom relief | Possible constipation or diarrhea |
Your treatment plan should fit the cause and your symptoms. It’s a good idea to check in regularly with a healthcare professional to make sure things are on track.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Changing a few habits can make a real difference with gastritis. Avoiding alcohol helps since it irritates the stomach lining. If you need pain relief, switching to acetaminophen is usually gentler on your stomach.
Try eating smaller meals, don’t smoke, manage your weight, and make sure you get enough vitamin B12 to support your stomach’s health.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take Before Seeing the Doctor
A little prep goes a long way for your appointment. Here are some things you can do:
Check for any pre-visit rules. Some offices might ask you not to eat or drink before coming in.
- Write down your symptoms. Include stuff like stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, loss of appetite, diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn, or belching—even if it seems unrelated.
List any big life changes or stressful events. Jot them down.
Make a list of all medicines and supplements. Note the names and doses.
Bring someone with you if you can. Sometimes another person can help you remember details or just offer support.
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Write down your questions. Start with the most important ones. Some ideas:
- What could be causing my symptoms?
- Will I need tests like an endoscopy?
- Could my medicine be making things worse?
- Are there other causes for my symptoms?
- Is this condition short-term or long-term?
- What treatments or changes should I consider?
- Should I see a digestive specialist?
Sample Question List Table
| Priority | Question |
|---|---|
| 1 | What could be causing my stomach pain or nausea? |
| 2 | Should I be tested for Helicobacter pylori? |
| 3 | Are there foods I should avoid right now? |
| 4 | What treatments are available for indigestion? |
These steps can help you get better answers and help your doctor understand your situation.
Questions Your Doctor Might Ask
Your doctor will probably ask about your symptoms and habits. You might hear questions like:
- When did symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, or heartburn start?
- Do your symptoms stick around or come and go?
- How bad is your pain—mild, severe, burning?
- Does anything make things better or worse, like eating certain foods or taking an antacid?
- Have you felt nauseous or thrown up?
- Have you noticed black stool or blood in your bowel movements?
- Have you lost weight without trying?
- How often do you take pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen?
- How often and how much do you drink alcohol?
- Have you been more stressed than usual?
- Has anyone in your family had ulcers or digestive diseases?
Being ready to answer these helps your doctor get the full picture. Honest answers give important clues about what’s going on—whether it’s gastritis or something else.
Actions to Take While You Wait for the Appointment
While you’re waiting to see your doctor, you can try a few things to ease symptoms:
- Avoid alcohol. It can irritate your stomach and make pain or nausea worse.
- Skip foods that upset your stomach. Things like spicy, fatty, fried, or acidic foods can be rough.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of big ones if eating seems to make things worse.
- Try to keep track of what makes symptoms like bloating, belching, or heartburn better or worse. A quick food diary can help.
- Don’t stop taking any prescribed medicine unless your doctor says so.
Food Triggers Table
| Food/Drink | Reason to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Can increase stomach irritation |
| Spicy Foods | May cause more stomach pain |
| Fried/Fatty Foods | Harder to digest, can cause nausea |
| Acidic Foods | May trigger heartburn or bloating |
Paying attention to what helps or worsens symptoms gives you and your doctor more to work with.
Taking these steps can help you manage stomach pain, loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea. It also makes your visit smoother and helps your care team figure out the best next steps.
