Gastritis
Does gastritis infect people?
Regarding whether gastritis can be contagious, it requires specific analysis of the circumstances. If the gastritis is caused by an infection of Helicobacter pylori, then it can be transmitted to others through shared meals or fecal-oral transmission. Under such circumstances, if others do not maintain clean eating habits or overeat, they are at a higher risk of developing chronic gastritis. If the occurrence of gastritis is not due to an infection from Helicobacter pylori, then it will not be contagious to others. Patients with gastritis should be cautious with their diet, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, and should not overeat. It’s important to eat regularly and in moderate amounts, and maintain a bland diet.
Characteristics of vomiting in acute gastritis
Acute gastritis is characterized by severe nausea and vomiting, usually of stomach contents, and sometimes includes bile. It is also accompanied by significant abdominal pain. In such cases, it is imperative to administer antispasmodic analgesics and antiemetic medications promptly, as well as antibiotics sensitive to the gastrointestinal tract. If the vomiting is severe, it may lead to dehydration, necessitating timely rehydration or intravenous fluid therapy. It is important to maintain dietary hygiene, consume soft, easily digestible foods, and reduce the intake of raw, cold, and spicy foods. Meat should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Engaging in moderate outdoor physical activities after meals can enhance gastrointestinal motility. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
What are the symptoms of gastritis?
Common symptoms of chronic gastritis include upper abdominal distension and pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, poor appetite, indigestion, and feelings of fullness after eating. Gastroscope examination can reveal signs like reddening, swelling, and erosion of the gastric mucosa, which can be diagnosed as chronic superficial gastritis. If there is glandular atrophy of the gastric mucosa observed, a diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis can be made through a biopsy. Treatment options include acid suppression and gastric protection, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa. It is also recommended to perform a Carbon-14 breath test to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If the infection is positive, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is necessary. Chronic atrophic gastritis has a certain risk of turning cancerous, so it is advised to follow a diet that is light and easy to digest.
What causes gastritis?
Chronic gastritis can be divided into two main categories: chronic non-atrophic gastritis, which was previously referred to as chronic superficial gastritis, and chronic atrophic gastritis. The primary cause of chronic gastritis is generally considered to be Helicobacter pylori infection, which has a very high infection rate in our country, exceeding 50%. Moreover, inappropriate diet can also cause chronic gastritis, such as stimulation from smoking and drinking, irregular eating habits, overeating, as well as excessive consumption of raw, greasy, spicy, and other irritating foods. Additionally, emotional factors are closely related to chronic gastritis.
Can people with gastritis eat peaches?
The main symptoms of chronic gastritis include upper abdominal pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, etc. It can be definitively diagnosed through a gastroscopy, which may reveal edema, hyperemia, and erosion of the gastric mucosa, thereby confirming the diagnosis of chronic gastritis. Once diagnosed, targeted and standardized treatment should be administered. Moreover, dietary habits must be carefully managed. Smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided, as well as consuming spicy, fried, barbecued, and greasy foods. Fruit intake should also be controlled; for instance, only half a peach per day is advisable to avoid overconsumption. Overeating can exacerbate the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, making chronic gastritis more likely to recur. Additionally, one should not consume fruit taken directly from the refrigerator as such cold foods are strictly discouraged.
Does massage help with gastritis?
Gastritis might not necessarily be remedied by massage. Treatments for gastritis can include eradication of Helicobacter pylori, using medications to reduce gastric acid secretion, protecting the gastric mucosa, and enhancing gastric motility, among others. If the patient experiences depression or anxiety, anti-anxiety medications may also be used to adjust the patient's mood. The primary causes of gastritis may be infection by Helicobacter pylori, consumption of substances that damage or irritate the gastric mucosa such as aspirin or anti-rheumatic drugs, or ingestion of spicy and irritating foods, which harm the gastric mucosa. This results in inflammation, congestion, and edema of the gastric mucosa, where massage may not be effective. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
Symptoms of gastritis
Gastritis is divided into two types: acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. The main cause of acute gastritis is bacterial or viral infection, with primary symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Chronic gastritis is mainly caused by the digestion of the stomach itself due to stomach acid and pepsin. Its main cause is closely related to infection by Helicobacter pylori, with primary symptoms being upper abdominal distension, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, poor appetite, and indigestion. For acute gastritis, a routine blood test is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. For chronic gastritis, a gastroscopy and a carbon-14 breath test are required to determine if there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori, which are the main examinations.
Is gastritis contagious?
Chronic gastritis is one of the common upper gastrointestinal diseases, which is usually divided into two main categories under gastroscopy. One is chronic non-atrophic gastritis, also known as chronic superficial gastritis; the other is chronic atrophic gastritis. The principal cause of these types of gastritis is likely infection by Helicobacter pylori. In addition, stimulants like smoking and alcohol, and inappropriate dietary habits are also contributing factors. As for the transmission of gastritis, it is not appropriate to say that gastritis itself is contagious, as the main cause is Helicobacter pylori infection, which means the transmission involved is due to the bacteria. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that resides in areas like the anterior gastric antrum and the oral cavity, and can be transmitted through dietary means, such as through saliva and shared utensils.
How to diagnose gastritis
Gastritis is a common disease in clinical practice, generally divided into chronic gastritis and acute gastritis. Acute gastritis is most commonly characterized by abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The symptoms of chronic gastritis vary and mainly include discomfort in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, decreased appetite, and even early satiety. For the diagnosis of chronic and acute gastritis, the preferred examination is gastroscopy. Gastroscopy includes both conventional and painless procedures, both aimed at examining the condition of the gastric mucosa. However, for some elderly patients, particularly those with underlying conditions like coronary heart disease, the risk associated with gastroscopy is higher. Therefore, if conventional or painless gastroscopy is not suitable for the patient, abdominal CT and upper GI barium meal can be chosen instead. After completing the gastroscopy, if chronic gastritis or gastric ulcers are diagnosed, it is advisable to further conduct tests to screen for Helicobacter pylori.
What should I do if I have a flare-up of gastritis?
When experiencing gastritis, it is important to actively use medical treatments, such as gastroprotective agents that suppress gastric acid secretion and antibiotics. At the same time, dietary adjustments should be made. The recurrence of gastritis is directly related to irregular eating habits. It's essential to follow a light diet, consume more vegetables and fruits, and eat less spicy, greasy, and stimulating foods. Additionally, avoid stimulants like strong tea, coffee, and hard liquor. Consume more vegetables to increase dietary fiber, and eat foods that are gentle on the stomach lining and easy to digest, such as millet porridge, rice soup, vegetable soup, and steamed egg custard.