What to do about the pain from atrophic gastritis?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 17, 2024
00:00
00:00

Atrophic gastritis is a condition where the mucous membrane of the stomach atrophies, associated with poor neural nutrition and excessive gastric acid secretion, leading to a reduction in the barrier function of the gastric mucosa. To first alleviate pain, proton pump inhibitors can be used to reduce the secretion of gastric acid, and at the same time, gastric mucosal protectants should be used. If there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori, active use of triple or quadruple therapy should be employed to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. It is important to adjust one's diet, eat regularly, and avoid overeating. Greasy and spicy foods should be consumed less, and more bland, soft, and easily digestible foods should be eaten. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Peng
Gastroenterology
54sec home-news-image

Chronic atrophic gastritis is what kind of condition?

Chronic atrophic gastritis is a digestive system disease characterized by atrophy of the intrinsic gastric glands. It is commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly people. Clinically, it mainly manifests as loss of appetite, nausea, belching, heartburn, and continuous or intermittent bloating and dull pain in the upper abdomen. A minority of patients may experience upper gastrointestinal bleeding, weight loss, anemia, and malnutrition, with incidence rates increasing significantly with age. Chronic atrophic gastritis can be divided into autoimmune gastritis and multifocal atrophic gastritis, also referred to as Type A gastritis and Type B gastritis, respectively. Gastric mucosal biopsy is a reliable method for its diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
1min 28sec home-news-image

Is atrophic gastritis serious?

Chronic atrophic gastritis, compared to chronic non-atrophic gastritis, is relatively more severe. It is usually due to the atrophy of the gastric mucosal glands that this condition occurs. Under gastroscopy, the gastric mucosa can be seen to become pale, and the submucosal blood vessels are easily exposed. Sometimes, the gastric mucosal cells are replaced by intestinal epithelial cells, which is what we refer to as intestinal metaplasia. Some believe that this condition is a precancerous lesion, so it must be given sufficient attention. Firstly, it is necessary to check for Helicobacter pylori infection; if present, comprehensive antibiotic treatment is required. Some believe that if Helicobacter pylori is completely eradicated, partial reversal of gastric mucosal atrophy can happen, and in some cases, it may even return to normal, making the eradication of Helicobacter pylori particularly important. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is advocated, such as protecting the gastric mucosa, etc. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine has relatively better effects in treating atrophic gastritis compared to Western medicine, and further diagnosis and treatment in a traditional Chinese medicine department can be considered. (Note: The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 11sec home-news-image

Is chronic non-atrophic gastritis with erosion serious?

Common symptoms of chronic non-atrophic gastritis with erosion include upper abdominal bloating, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, indigestion, heartburn, etc. A gastroscopy can reveal symptoms like hyperemia, edema, and erosion on the gastric mucosa to diagnose chronic non-atrophic gastritis with erosion. It is also recommended to perform a Carbon-14 breath test to determine if there is an infection of Helicobacter pylori. If the infection is positive, a 14-day treatment for Helicobacter pylori is required, using a regimen of a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, with the course lasting 14 days. Additionally, treatment for chronic non-atrophic gastritis with erosion should include acid suppression, gastric protection, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa, which typically requires about six weeks. With the above treatments, the disease can be cured.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 8sec home-news-image

Can atrophic gastritis turn into cancer?

Chronic atrophic gastritis has a certain chance of cancerous transformation, with an annual cancer transformation rate of between 0.5% and 1%. It is a type of chronic gastritis. During gastroscopy, the atrophy of the inherent glands of the gastric mucosa can be observed. A definitive diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis can be made through biopsy and pathological examination. In terms of treatment, the first step is the treatment against Helicobacter pylori, which includes a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, with a treatment course of 14 days. Additionally, treatments include acid suppression, stomach protection, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, oral traditional Chinese medicine plays a significant role in the treatment of atrophic gastritis. Therefore, it is suggested that patients with atrophic gastritis consider integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment, which can yield good results.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Why is a biopsy necessary for atrophic gastritis?

Atrophic gastritis is generally treated with biopsy, which is the standard for diagnosing atrophic gastritis, so biopsy is typically conducted when considering atrophic gastritis. Atrophic gastritis is increasingly common in clinical settings, especially among middle-aged and elderly patients. It begins with symptoms of chronic gastritis, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and belching, and sometimes may include changes in appetite. Patients usually undergo gastroscopy, which shows atrophy of the gastric mucosa, alterations in red and white patches, or white-like mucosa. Histopathological examination can further support the atrophic changes. In clinical settings, when considering atrophic gastritis, treatment focuses on protecting the stomach and screening for Helicobacter pylori. If Helicobacter pylori is positive, treatment targeting Helicobacter pylori is recommended. Regular gastroscopic examinations are necessary, typically every six months to a year.