Does gastritis infect people?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on December 16, 2024
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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.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
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Can gastritis be cured?

Gastritis can be cured, primarily through medication, such as protecting the gastric mucosa, inhibiting gastric acid secretion, and appropriately using antibiotics. If there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, specific treatment for Helicobacter pylori must be conducted. After the treatment of gastritis, it is crucial to pay attention to dietary adjustments. Irregular eating habits can lead to the recurrence of gastritis. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain a light diet, consume more vegetables and fruits, eat less spicy and irritating food, avoid strong tea, coffee, and hard liquor which can damage the gastric mucosa, and keep a relaxed mood, which also positively affects the treatment of stomach diseases.

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What department should I go to for gastritis?

When gastritis is present, symptoms such as abdominal pain, acid reflux, belching, and bloating typically occur. Clinically, one can register under the Gastroenterology department, as the stomach is part of the digestive system. If the hospital is small and lacks a Gastroenterology department, registering under the Internal Medicine department could be considered. For gastritis diagnosis, registration should be made under Gastroenterology, and examinations such as gastroscopy and tests for Helicobacter pylori are required. Both gastroscopy and Helicobacter pylori tests require fasting for more accurate results. Moreover, treatment in Gastroenterology is more targeted.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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How is gastritis with bleeding treated?

Gastritis that leads to bloody stools generally manifests as black stools. Treatment primarily involves dietary adjustments and oral medication. It is suggested that patients consume easy-to-digest, light foods. Medications can include acid-reducing and gastric-protective drugs, as well as hemostatics. The treatment duration is usually four to six weeks. Generally, through dietary modifications and medication, very positive effects can be achieved, so patients need not worry excessively. However, for patients experiencing bloody stools, it is necessary to confirm gastric disorders. Routine examinations should include complete blood count, stool analysis, and especially gastroscopy, which is the most crucial diagnostic tool. This can assess the condition of the gastric mucosa and determine if there are any accompanying inflammations, erosions, tumors, or ulcers. Gastroscopy is widely used in clinical practice and generally has a high safety profile, so patients should not be overly reluctant to undergo it. (Please take any medications under the guidance of a physician.)

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How to treat gastritis

Gastritis is mostly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, or factors such as improper diet, medications, and emotional stress, which lead to gastric mucosal damage. In terms of treatment, it is best to first conduct a gastroscopy and test for Helicobacter pylori to determine the type of gastritis and whether there is an infection. Treatment should then be guided by the results. If it is not possible to conduct these tests, one can use proton pump inhibitors to suppress stomach acid, in combination with gastric mucosal protectants. If reflux gastritis is present, prokinetic drugs should also be used to inhibit reflux. (Use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)