MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Gastritis

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Gastritis - chronic

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Hepatitis B virus

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Alternative names Return to top

Chronic gastritis

Definition Return to top

Chronic gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach that occurs gradually and persists for a prolonged time.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Chronic gastritis may be caused by prolonged irritation from the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, pernicious anemia (an autoimmune disorder), degeneration of the lining of the stomach with age, or chronic bile reflux.

Many people with chronic gastritis have no symptoms of the condition. Risk factors include infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, pernicious anemia, and use of NSAIDs.

Symptoms Return to top

Upper abdominal pain, possibly aggravated by eating
Abdominal indigestion
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Vomiting blood or coffee-ground like material
Dark stools

Note: there may be no symptoms

Signs and tests Return to top

EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) and biopsy showing gastritis
CBC showing anemia
A guaiac stool test

Treatment Return to top

The treatment depends on the cause of the gastritis. Antibiotic therapy will treat chronic gastritis caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori.

Antacids or other medications, such as cimetidine (to decrease or neutralize gastric acid in the stomach), will usually eliminate the symptoms and promote healing. Medications known to cause gastritis should be discontinued. Gastritis caused by pernicious anemia is treated with Vitamin B12.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Most gastritis improves rapidly with treatment. Prognosis depends on the underlying cause. Most chronic gastriris does not cause symptoms and does not result in significant illness.

Complications Return to top

Loss of blood and increased risk of gastric cancer are potential complications.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if symptoms of gastritis do not improve with treatment. Call your health care provider if you are vomiting blood or producing bloody stools.

Prevention Return to top

Avoid use of aspirin or NSAIDs if you are prone to gastritis.

Update Date: 10/9/2003

Updated by: Christian Stone, M. D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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