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Mild Gastritis- Causes and Treatment

Charlie S
Gastritis is defined as an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, and can occur in people of various age groups. The aim of this story is to explain the symptoms, causes, and treatment of mild gastritis.
Gastritis affects a surprisingly large number of people worldwide; especially in its milder form, when it is difficult to diagnose. Those suffering from mild gastritis typically experience some discomfort in the upper stomach region, below the ribcage.
This feeling of discomfort mostly does not even seem painful, which is the reason why the condition sometimes remain untreated. As a result of this, the condition may aggravate, leading to unwanted complications.
Gastritis, in its chronic form, occurs in people over a period of time, while acute gastritis may affect a person all of a sudden, and could be severe. Mild gastritis, if left untreated, could lead to the formation of ulcers on the lining of the stomach, which is a serious condition that is hard to treat. Therefore, one needs to be aware of the symptoms, in order to seek medical intervention at the earliest.

Symptoms

As mentioned previously, the nature of the symptoms of mild gastritis is such that one tends to ignore them completely. These symptoms do not manifest as drastically as it happens in the case of acute gastritis, neither are they as persistent as they are in chronic cases. 
 The best way, then, would be to avail your doctor's advise when you notice any of the following -
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion
  • Vomiting
  • Burning sensation in the stomach
  • A sensation of fullness, despite not eating much
  • Mild heartburn
  • Slight pain in the stomach region, below the ribcage

Causes

Knowing the symptoms holds the key in detecting gastritis. However, we also need to understand what causes it, so that we're able to restrict the possibility of suffering from it. 
Check if you are susceptible to suffering from gastritis by going through the causes -
  • Over consumption of alcohol
  • Excessive consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin/ibuprofen)
  • Smoking
  • Eating too fast
  • Indulging in heavy physical activity immediately after meals
  • Bacterial infections (mainly Helicobacter pylori) or viral infections
  • Unhealthy food habits
  • Prolonged drug abuse
  • Bile reflux
  • Consuming fatty and spicy food
  • Surgeries, injuries, or burns

Treatment

Your doctor may prescribe antacids that will relieve the discomfort brought upon by gastritis. You may also be prescribed antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors drugs. Caution and care go a long way in alleviating the symptoms in its initial stages. 
You can save yourself a lot of trouble by simply following a few precautionary measures that will not cause the symptoms to reoccur.
  • Increase the intake of fresh fruits and juices
  • Consume fibrous food that are easy to digest
  • Reduce smoking and consuming alcohol
  • Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Try to keep your life stress-free
In many cases, this condition may get cured without any sort of treatment or medicine consumption. However, you should not ignore any signs and symptoms of this disorder and prevent them from aggravating. Always ensure that you speak to your doctor at the earliest signs of gastritis.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.