Alternate Names: Chronic gastritis

Causes and Risks: 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 a history of pernicious anemia, blood or lymph system disorders, age over 60 years and use of NSAIDs. The incidence is 2 out of 10,000 people.

Prevention: Avoid use of aspirin or NSAIDs if prone to gastritis.

Symptoms:

• upper abdominal pain, may be aggravated by eating
• abdominal indigestion
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• vomiting blood or coffee-ground like material
• dark stools

Signs and Tests:

• a gastroscopy showing gastritis
• an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) and biopsy showing gastritis
• a CBC showing anemia
• a positive guaiac stool

Treatment: 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.

Prognosis: Most gastritis improves rapidly with treatment.

Complications: Severe loss of blood and increased risk of gastric cancer are complications.

Call your health care provider if symptoms of gastritis do not improve with treatment.

Call your health care provider if vomiting blood or bloody stools develop.