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 and 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 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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