Is gastritis contagious?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 03, 2024
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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.

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What are the symptoms of gastritis?

Chronic gastritis often lacks specific clinical manifestations, and the correlation between the pathological histological examination results of the gastric mucosa and the clinical manifestations is also relatively poor. Some patients show changes in the mucosa indicative of gastritis during gastroscopy, and pathological histological examinations reveal inflammation, but they may have no or only mild clinical symptoms. The clinical manifestations of most chronic gastritis are merely upper gastrointestinal dyspeptic symptoms, such as a sense of fullness in the upper abdomen, irregular dull pain, belching, decreased appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and worsening upper abdominal discomfort after eating. Patients with chronic gastritis often have no obvious specific physical signs; some may have mild upper abdominal tenderness or discomfort upon palpation. Patients with gastric mucosal lesions may have positive fecal occult blood tests; however, vomiting blood or having black stool is very rare, and long-term poor appetite or minor bleeding might be accompanied by anemia. In severe cases of atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia, significant anemia symptoms may be present.

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What should you eat more of if you have gastritis?

Patients with gastritis should primarily consume a light and easily digestible diet. Firstly, porridge can be eaten, including millet porridge, Chinese yam porridge, coix seed porridge, and eel porridge. Secondly, soups such as chicken soup, pork rib soup, duck soup, and fish soup can be consumed. During the preparation of these soups, ingredients like Codonopsis, Astragalus, Poria, and coix seeds can be added, which are effective in strengthening the spleen, facilitating dampness removal, and nourishing the stomach, making them beneficial dietary therapy methods. Thirdly, well-cooked noodles can be eaten, as they also have a certain stomach-nourishing effect. Fourth, if consuming meat, it must be thoroughly stewed until soft before eating. This makes it less likely to burden the digestive tract and easier to digest, making it more suitable for patients with chronic gastritis.

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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.

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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.)

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What to do about gastritis pain?

Upper abdominal pain caused by gastritis is usually due to excessive secretion of gastric acid, which irritates the gastric mucosa. In such cases, acid-suppressing medications are preferred, commonly including H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, with proton pump inhibitors being the first choice. Treatment plans should also be determined based on underlying diseases and the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If Helicobacter pylori infection is present, formal quadruple therapy should be initiated to eradicate the bacteria. If there is no infection, symptomatic treatment with proton pump inhibitors as the first choice is sufficient. Some patients may experience upper abdominal pain due to episodic gastric spasms. In such cases, antispasmodic pain relievers such as scopolamine butylbromide or anisodamine can be used for symptomatic treatment. It is also important to eat a light, easily digestible diet and to avoid exposure to cold. (Note: Please use medication under the guidance of a clinical doctor and based on specific circumstances.)