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Gastritis (GTT)

Gastritis (GTT) : Symptoms, Causes, and Management

Gastritis (GTT) is inflammation of the stomach lining, often caused by infections, medications, or lifestyle factors. Below is a synthesis of its key aspects, supported by clinical guidelines and research.

Symptoms

Many cases are asymptomatic, but symptoms may include:

Common Symptoms	Severe/Advanced Signs
Upper abdominal pain (burning, gnawing)	Black/tarry stools (bleeding ulcer)
Nausea, vomiting	Vomiting blood or coffee grounds
Bloating, early satiety	Fatigue (anemia from chronic bleeding)
Loss of appetite	Weight loss, peritonitis (rare)

Pain patterns: Often worsens on lying down or between meals, improving temporarily with antacids14.

Causes

1. Infections:
   • Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): Linked to chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers; present in ~40% of cases16.
   • Viruses, parasites, or fungi: Rare triggers (e.g., norovirus, Giardia)46.
2. Medications:
   • NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin): Damage the stomach’s protective mucus layer16.
3. Lifestyle Factors:
   • Alcohol, smoking, or cocaine: Erode the stomach lining14.
4. Autoimmune Disorders:
   • Autoimmune gastritis: Immune system attacks stomach cells, impairing vitamin B12 absorption26.
5. Stress:
   • Critical illness or surgery: Reduces blood flow to the stomach, increasing acid damage46.

Diagnosis

1. Endoscopy: Gold standard for visualizing inflammation, ulcers, or bleeding14.
2. Biopsy: Rules out cancer or confirms H. pylori via rapid urease test16.
3. Blood/Stool Tests:
   • Complete blood count (CBC): Detects anemia from chronic bleeding2.
   • Stool antigen test: Identifies H. pylori16.

Treatment

1. Acute Gastritis:
   • Antacids or histamine-2 (H2) blockers (e.g., ranitidine): Reduce acid15.
   • Avoid irritants: Stop NSAIDs, alcohol, or smoking16.
2. Chronic Gastritis:
   • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (e.g., omeprazole): Suppress acid production15.
   • H. pylori eradication: Triple therapy (PPI + antibiotics like clarithromycin/amoxicillin)16.
3. Autoimmune Gastritis:
   • Vitamin B12 supplementation: Addresses pernicious anemia26.

Complications

• Bleeding ulcers: Risk of anemia or perforation24.
• Stomach cancer: Chronic H. pylori or autoimmune gastritis increases risk26.
• Pernicious anemia: Autoimmune destruction of parietal cells impairs B12 absorption26.

Prevention

• Avoid NSAIDs/alcohol: Use alternatives (e.g., acetaminophen) if possible16.
• H. pylori screening: For high-risk populations (e.g., family history of stomach cancer)16.
• Hygiene: Reduce infection risk via clean food/water26.

Conclusion
Gastritis is treatable, but early diagnosis and addressing underlying causes (e.g., H. pylori, NSAIDs) are critical to prevent complications like ulcers or cancer.

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References

1. Patient.info: Gastritis
2. Gleneagles: Gastritis
3. WebMD: Gastritis
4. Cleveland Clinic: Gastritis
5. Healthline: Gastritis
6. Better Health Channel: Gastritis
7. Mayo Clinic: Gastritis
8. NHS: Gastritis