Acute gastritis
How long does acute gastritis take to recover?
Acute gastritis generally recovers slowly over about a week with active treatment. During the treatment period, attention should be paid to the treatment of the cause and symptomatic treatment. Mainly, the patient should rest in bed and stop all food or medicine that irritates the stomach. Additionally, medications that relieve spasms and pain, protect the gastric mucosa, and suppress gastric acid secretion should be used. Acute gastritis often occurs with enteritis; if vomiting and diarrhea are frequent, oral rehydration should be administered promptly, and more severe cases may require intravenous fluids. During treatment, dietary adjustments should be considered, including eating soft, easily digestible foods. If vomiting is frequent, the patient should refrain from eating and drink more water, consuming more vegetables to supplement dietary fiber.
What to eat for acute gastritis
Acute gastritis refers to the acute onset of gastric mucosa damage or erosion, commonly caused by drugs or stress-induced injuries, including those caused by alcohol. For treatment, proton pump inhibitors that suppress stomach acid can be used. Aside from proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor antagonists can also be chosen, but the therapeutic effect of H2 receptor antagonists is not as good as proton pump inhibitors. Treatment should also include gastric mucosal protectants and drugs that promote mucosal repair. Additionally, if gastrointestinal motility is poor, prokinetic agents may be added to the treatment. Moreover, during the acute phase, it is best to consume liquid foods and drink porridge.
Causes of acute gastritis
The causes of acute gastritis are varied, primarily involving external factors, internal factors, and psychological factors. For example, irregular eating habits, consuming foods that are too cold or too hot, and overly coarse foods can all irritate and damage the gastric mucosal barrier. Additionally, some medications can directly cause congestion of the gastric mucosa, and acute gastritis can be directly caused by bacterial or viral infections. The gastrointestinal tract is regulated by various hormones, and if one is overly tense, agitated, or exhibiting symptoms of neurosis, this can affect the normal levels of the mucosa through hormonal regulation, leading to mucosal damage and triggering inflammation.
Symptoms of acute gastritis
The symptoms of acute gastritis mainly include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. These symptoms can significantly impact normal life and work. Therefore, active treatment is necessary, mainly using medications that inhibit gastric acid secretion to protect the gastric mucosa, as well as medications that promote gastrointestinal motility. If there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori, it is essential to eradicate this bacterium. Additionally, dietary adjustments should be made, such as consuming soft, easily digestible foods and avoiding spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods. Engaging in outdoor activities and maintaining physical and mental health are also important. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
What IV fluids should be administered for acute gastritis?
The choice of medication for intravenous therapy in acute gastritis focuses on suppressing gastric acid secretion, protecting the gastric mucosa, and the rational use of antibiotics. It is also important to replenish fluids and electrolytes to maintain sodium-water balance. During treatment, attention should be paid to regular eating habits, consuming more vegetables and fruits to add dietary fiber. Additionally, the main diet should consist of soft, easy-to-digest foods, such as millet porridge, rice soup, or vegetable soup; it is advisable to avoid raw, cold, spicy foods and to stay away from strong tea, coffee, and hard liquor to prevent damage to the gastric mucosa. Regular, timely meals should be adhered to, along with developing a regular routine of living habits. After recovery, appropriate outdoor exercises should be conducted to strengthen the physique and maintaining a positive mindset plays an active role in preventing gastrointestinal diseases.
How to treat acute gastritis?
Acute gastritis is generally caused by drugs or stress, resulting in acute gastric mucosal injury. For treatment, proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole or pantoprazole can be used to suppress stomach acid. Alternatively, H2 receptor antagonists like cimetidine or famotidine can be used, but their effects are not as good as those of proton pump inhibitors. In addition to acid-suppressing medications, drugs that protect the gastric mucosa should also be used. Moreover, if there is damage to the gastric mucosa, treatments that promote the repair of the gastric mucosa, such as the recovery solution, should be applied. Diet should also be considered, ensuring it is light and regular. The cause should be clearly identified; if it is drug-induced, the drug should be discontinued, and if it is due to emotional stress, efforts should be made to soothe the emotions. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor)
What should I do about acute gastritis and stomach pain?
Stomach pain caused by acute gastritis is usually due to inflammation irritating the gastric mucosa. It can be managed with medications that suppress stomach acid secretion, protect the gastric mucosa, and relieve spasms and pain. Additionally, using a warm water bottle on the abdomen can help alleviate stomach pain. Regular care for the gastrointestinal tract is important, including eating soft, easily digestible foods and avoiding spicy, irritating, and greasy foods. Engaging in outdoor activities and maintaining overall physical and mental health can also benefit the stomach. It is advisable to avoid strong tea, coffee, and hard liquor, which can further irritate the stomach.
Is acute gastritis dangerous?
Acute gastritis comes in many forms, and acute erosive hemorrhagic gastritis is relatively dangerous as it can lead to gastric mucosal bleeding and perforation, resulting in the risk of hemorrhagic shock. Therefore, active treatment of acute gastritis is needed. It is recommended to visit the gastroenterology department of a hospital to undergo a gastroscopy to understand the basic pathological changes of the gastritis. Additionally, some medications can be used for treatment, such as those that inhibit gastric acid secretion, protect the gastric mucosa, and sensitive antibiotics. Pay attention to dietary adjustments, consume lighter foods more often, and reduce the intake of spicy foods. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
What are the symptoms of acute gastritis?
Acute gastritis is mostly caused by unhygienic dietary habits and is more common in summer. The symptoms mainly involve gastrointestinal irritation, such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite. Active pharmacological treatment should be given for acute gastroenteritis. Commonly used medications include those that suppress gastric acid secretion, protect the gastric mucosa, and antibiotics. During treatment, it is advisable to eat small, frequent meals consisting primarily of soft, easily digestible foods, and to avoid cold, spicy, or irritating foods. (Please take medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
Where to massage for acute gastritis?
For some cases of acute gastritis, where the pain can be quite severe, our best method is to massage our Neiguan point to alleviate clinical symptoms. The Neiguan point is located on the inner side of our upper limbs and is convenient to massage. In addition to using bare hands, we can also place a slice of ginger and massage through the ginger. Besides massaging the Neiguan point, if it's self-massage, we can also massage our Zhongwan point. The Zhongwan point is located on our abdomen, halfway between the xiphoid process and the navel, a spot that is easy to locate. We can also massage some other points like Tianshu, Zusanli, and Gongsun. After the massage, we can relieve some clinical symptoms of acute gastritis such as abdominal distension and pain.