Gastritis..........

Most of us have this problem.may be because of our busy working shedule we didnt eat at the right time or just we dont eat to become thin and so on. And we dont have much information about whats going on through our body.So Let see what is GASTRITIS

Gastritis isn't one disease but a group of conditions, all of which are characterized by inflammation of the lining of your stomach. Commonly, the inflammation results from infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. Yet other factors — including traumatic injury and regular use of certain pain relievers — also can contribute to gastritis.

In spite of the many conditions associated with gastritis, the signs and symptoms of the disease are very similar: A burning pain in your upper abdomen and occasionally, bloating, belching, nausea or vomiting.

In some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn't serious and improves quickly with treatment.

Signs and symptoms :-

- A burning ache or pain (indigestion) in your upper abdomen that may become either worse or better when you eat
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Belching or bloating
- A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating
- Weight loss


Occasionally, gastritis may cause stomach bleeding, but it's rarely severe unless there's also ulceration of your stomach lining. Bleeding in your stomach can cause you to vomit blood or pass black, tarry stools and may require immediate medical care.

Because gastritis is one of many common digestive problems with similar signs and symptoms, it's easy to confuse with other conditions, including:
- Gastroenteritis
- Heartburn
- Stomach ulcers
- Nonulcer dyspepsia

Left untreated, gastritis may lead to stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. And some forms of chronic gastritis may increase your risk of stomach cancer, especially if you have extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining cells.

Prevention

-Eat smart :- If you experience frequent indigestion, eat smaller, more frequent meals to buffer stomach acid secretion. In addition, avoid any foods you find irritating, especially those that are spicy, acidic, fried or fatty.Just as important as what you eat is the manner in which you eat. Eat moderate proportions, eat at regular times and relax while you eat.

-Don't smoke :- Smoking interferes with the protective lining of the stomach, making your stomach more susceptible to gastritis as well as ulcers. Smoking also increases stomach acid, delays stomach healing and is a leading risk factor for stomach cancer. Still, quitting isn't easy, especially if you've smoked for years. Talk to your doctor about methods that may help you stop smoking.

-Switch pain relievers :- If possible, avoid taking NSAIDs — aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. These over-the-counter medications can cause stomach inflammation or make existing irritation worse. Instead, switch to pain relievers containing acetaminophen.

So hope this article may help you all.

information from: health Library