Gastritis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed or swollen.
P Gastritis can last for only a short time (acute gastritis). It may also linger for months to years (chronic gastritis).

T Causes
P The most common causes of gastritis are:
- Certain medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen and other similar drugs
- Heavy alcohol drinking
- Infection of the stomach with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori
P Less common causes are:
- Autoimmune disorders (such as pernicious anemia)
- Backflow of bile into the stomach (bile reflux)
- Cocaine abuse
- Eating or drinking caustic or corrosive substances (such as poisons)
- Extreme stress
- Viral infection, such as cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus (more often occurs in people with a weak immune system)
P Trauma or a severe, sudden illness such as major surgery, kidney failure, or being placed on a breathing machine may cause gastritis.

T Symptoms
P Many people with gastritis do not have any symptoms.
P Symptoms you may notice are:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen
P If gastritis is causing bleeding from the lining of the stomach, symptoms may include:
- Black stools
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground like material

T Exams and Tests
P Tests that may be needed are:
- Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia or low blood count
- Examination of the stomach with an endoscope (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD) with biopsy of stomach lining
- H pylori tests (breath test or stool test)
- Stool test to check for small amounts of blood in the stools, which may be a sign of bleeding in the stomach

T Treatment
P Treatment depends on what is causing the problem. Some of the causes will go away over time.
P You may need to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other medicines that may be causing gastritis. Always talk to your health care provider before stopping any medicine.
P You may use other over-the-counter and prescription drugs that decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, such as:
- Antacids
- H2 antagonists: famotidine (Pepsid), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and nizatidine (Axid)
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), iansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (AcipHex), and pantoprazole (Protonix)
P Antibiotics may be used to treat chronic gastritis caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P The outlook depends on the cause, but is often very good.

T Possible Complications
P Blood loss and increased risk for gastric cancer can occur.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your provider if you develop:
- Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen that does not go away
- Black or tarry stools
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material

T Prevention
P Avoid long-term use of substances that can irritate your stomach such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or alcohol.

T Patient Instructions
- Taking antacids

T Images
- Digestive system
- Stomach and stomach lining

T References
P Feldman M, Lee EL. Gastritis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 52.
P Kuipers EJ, Blaser MJ. Acid peptic disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 139.

T Review Date 1/25/2017
P Updated by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

