Gastritis- Diet and Medication
Gastritis is another common cause of bleeding. This refers to a mild irritation, inflammation, or infection of the stomach lining. It may be a sudden attack or chronic.
Signs and Symptoms
- Abdominal cramping and pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Belching or gas
- Weakness
Causes
Gastritis may be caused by:
- Bacterial or viral infection (infection by a virus is contagious)
- Excess stomach acid caused by heavy smoking, alcohol use, caffeine, improper diet such as spicy, greasy foods
- Use of drugs such as Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, cortisone
- Stress
Preventing Gastritis
- Eat regularly and moderately
- Stop smoking
- Limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine
- If possible avoid drugs that are irritating to your stomach
- Avoid foods that you don’t digest easily
Treatment for Gastritis
For minor discomfort use antacids such as Mylanta or Maalox, and Tylenol. Don’t use Aspirin. Don’t eat solid foods on the first day of the attack, give your stomach a rest and drink liquids only, milk or water are preferred. Add bland foods to your diet slowly and as tolerated (cooked cereals, bananas, rice, potatoes, toast) and avoid greasy, spicy foods.
Visit your doctor if you vomit blood, if your bowel movements become dark or bloody, if you have severe pain, if you become dehydrated (dry mouth, excess thirst, decreased urination, wrinkled skin).
Whatever be the cause of bleeding, medical management under the doctor’s direction is definitely required if any evidence of GI bleeding occurs.
The doctor will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical examination.
The physical examination will probably include emphasis on the abdominal and rectal regions. Depending on the nature of the bleeding, the doctor will manage the bleeding differently. Mild bleeding from hemorrhoids or mild GI infections can be managed on an outpatient basis. However, for other more serious bleeding, one may need to be admitted to a hospital for monitoring and workup.
Diagnostic Tests
Investigations that may be performed include:
- Barium swallow
- Blood studies including a CBC and blood differential
- Colonoscopy
- Gastroscopy
- Stool culture
- X-rays of the abdomen.
Dear Sir, At 2012 I had some stomach digestion problem. So I have faced swallowing difficulties. So I went to a gastroenterologist. He took a UGI endoscopy in my stomach and told antral Gastritis. He gave medicine for one week. Then also I faced swallowing difficulties. So again 2013 I went to a ENT doctor and he took a barium swallow test and told no finding. Now also I am facing difficulties for swallowing. Now what test I want to do? I am afraid it may be stomach cancer? There is no any physical symptom. Sometime little more saliva producing during eating. I am 42 year old. Please advice.
Could you describe your problem in details? Exactly what problem do you have?
Dear Doctor,
I was having chest pain, did an ultrasound and discovered that I have rotten debris of food floating on my stomach. I never vomited but have the feelings like I want to vomit. My Doctor sent me to do a barium meal. He then told me that stomach intestines were enlarged gave me omeprazole to clear up my stomach and told me to eat food in small portions and told me if it doesn’t work I would have to perform surgery. I am scared of the surgery. I need to know how to shrink my intestines. The barium meal x-ray shoes my stomach looking stringed in or shriveled up. Please Help.
There are pretty good chances that you would respond to medications, and surgery will not be required. Surgery is rarely done in such cases, only in very severe ones.