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Stomach pain has many causes, including gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining. If you’re experiencing bloating or epigastric pain, Jack Husney, MD, offers customized treatments and excellent care at his practice in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Gastritis varies in severity, but treatment is often necessary when you can’t eliminate the symptoms alone. Dr. Husney specializes in various nonsurgical treatments for stomach pain and gastritis. Call the New York City office today or request a consultation on the website.
Gastritis Q & A
What is gastritis?
Gastritis is an inflammation of the protective lining in your stomach. The stomach lining protects it from dangerous microorganisms and acids that go through it daily.
When the immune system determines there’s a threat to the stomach lining, it acts by causing inflammation, which leads to the symptoms of gastritis.
Gastritis can be acute, happening very quickly, or chronic, building slowly over time. One of the most common causes of gastritis is a chronic infection called H. pylori. The condition causes almost half of the cases of gastritis in the United States.
Other causes of gastritis include excessive alcohol use, autoimmune diseases, and the use of medications such as NSAIDs.
What are the symptoms of gastritis?
Some people don’t have any symptoms related to gastritis, while others have widespread epigastric pain.
Stomach ulcers are common in long-term cases of gastritis, which may cause any of the following symptoms:
- Appetite loss
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
Blood in your stool is another symptom related to ulcers from gastritis. If you have bright red or dark red blood in your stool or vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, it’s essential to seek treatment immediately.
Is gastritis serious?
In most cases, gastritis resolves independently with home care and lifestyle changes. However, if it continues for long periods, it can lead to permanent complications in the stomach.
If left untreated, your symptoms may lead to erosive gastritis in the stomach and peptic ulcer disease. Ulcers that go without treatment also cause stomach bleeding and possibly anemia.
Scarring is another complication of gastritis, leading to permanent changes in the stomach and potentially causing an obstruction.
Severe ulcers cause a perforation in the stomach lining, which allows bacteria to enter your stomach cavity, leading to peritonitis and sepsis.
Can I get treatment for gastritis?
In most cases, gastritis goes away on its own with home care and treatment. Your body can fight off some infections like H. pylori on its own, but not always.
Dr. Husney offers advice on lifestyle changes to combat chronic gastritis and medications to treat ulcers and inflammation in the stomach.
Antibiotics may be necessary for chronic H. pylori infections. He also provides treatment for underlying causes of gastritis, including autoimmune disorders.
Call the Brooklyn, New York, office today to schedule an appointment at Jack Husney, MD, or request a consultation on the website.