Gastritis
Gastritis is an
inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It is a troublesome
condition which may lead to many complications including ulcers if not
treated in time. Constipation aggravates the condition more than any
other disorder.
The inflammatory
lesions may be either acute erosive gastritis or chronic atrophic
gastritis. The later type has been found to be present in half the
patients suffering from severe iron deficiency anemia.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of
gastritis are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache and
dizziness. There is also pain and a feeling of discomfort in the region
of the stomach. In more chronic cases, there is a feeling of fullness
in the abdomen, especially after meals. The patient complains of
heartburn. Prolonged illness often results in the loss of weight,
anemia and occasional hemorrhage from the stomach. There may be an
outpouring of mucus and a reduction in the secretion of hydrochloric
acid during acute attacks and also in most cases of chronic gastritis.
Causes
The most frequent
cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual
overeating; eating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods,
excessive intake of strong tea, coffee or alcoholic drinks, habitual
use of large quantities of condiments, sauces, etc. It may sometimes
follow certain diseases such as measles, diphtheria, influenza, virus
pneumonia, etc. Most often it also results from worry, anxiety, grief
and prolonged tension. Use of certain drugs, strong acids and caustic
substances may also give rise to gastritis.
Treatment
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