Difference between atrophic gastritis and non-atrophic gastritis

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Chronic gastritis includes two types: chronic non-atrophic gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis. The symptoms of both can be similar, such as upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, and heartburn. Chronic atrophic gastritis tends to be more severe than non-atrophic gastritis. Over the long term, atrophic gastritis may lead to symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and even anemia. The main differentiation still requires gastroscopy and pathological examination. Under gastroscopy, chronic superficial gastritis mainly shows mucosal congestion and edema. In atrophic gastritis, due to gland atrophy, the submucosal blood vessels may appear as a net-like or petal-like pattern, and sometimes the mucosa may become granular. Pathological examinations can further clarify the diagnosis.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers eat sweet potatoes?

Patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers should not eat sweet potatoes. Common symptoms for patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers include upper abdominal distension and pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, indigestion, and heartburn. After a clear diagnosis, standardized medication treatment is required. Additionally, it is essential for these patients to quit smoking and drinking alcohol; they should not drink strong tea or coffee. Foods that are rich, greasy, spicy, fried, grilled, cold, sweet, along with milk, soy milk, glutinous rice, and sweet potatoes are also not recommended. For example, sweet potatoes are difficult to digest and can increase gastric acid secretion, which further irritates the gastric mucosa and aggravates these two diseases. Therefore, patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers should not eat sweet potatoes.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can people with atrophic gastritis drink honey water?

Patients with atrophic gastritis can drink honey water. Patients with atrophic gastritis need to be careful with their diet by avoiding spicy, irritating foods, as well as overly sour, overly spicy, overly salty foods, and coarse foods. For patients with atrophic gastritis, it is important to eat regularly and in moderate amounts, opting for smaller, more frequent meals, and avoiding binge eating. Since honey water does not fall into the above categories of foods and is not considered spicy, patients with atrophic gastritis can drink honey water. However, it is also important to avoid drinking too much at once; drinking a moderate amount is fine.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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How to completely cure atrophic gastritis?

Chronic atrophic gastritis generally develops from chronic non-atrophic gastritis, and the most likely cause may be Helicobacter pylori infection. Of course, there are also other reasons, such as poor dietary habits, emotional factors, etc. In such cases, it is first necessary to check for Helicobacter pylori infection, usually using a breath test. If Helicobacter pylori infection is present, quadruple therapy is generally used for eradication treatment. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori can be very helpful for patients with atrophic gastritis, and in some cases, can partially reverse the atrophy. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is generally the main approach. Additionally, conditioning through traditional Chinese medicine can also be very helpful. (Specific medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of atrophic gastritis?

The main symptoms of atrophic gastritis include upper abdominal pain, belching, acid reflux, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, etc., which are not specific compared to the symptoms of chronic superficial gastritis. Therefore, it is not possible to determine whether it is atrophic gastritis or superficial gastritis based solely on symptoms; a gastroscopy is necessary for a definitive diagnosis. If the gastroscopy reveals thinning of the gastric mucosa and atrophy of the gastric glands, atrophic gastritis can be confirmed. Additionally, if atrophic gastritis is suspected, a biopsy and pathological examination are also needed for a clear diagnosis. Regarding treatment, atrophic gastritis requires therapies such as anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment, acid suppression, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, it is recommended to combine traditional Chinese medicine differentiation-based treatment for better effects when used alongside Western medicine.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Can I eat watermelon with atrophic gastritis?

Patients with atrophic gastritis can certainly eat watermelon, as long as it is consumed in small amounts. The diet for atrophic gastritis should primarily consist of easily digestible, clean foods, and avoid spicy and irritating foods, such as salted fish and alcohol intake, etc. Typically, patients with atrophic gastritis seek medical advice due to abdominal discomfort, exhibiting symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and early satiety. A comprehensive gastroscopy indicates inflammatory changes and atrophic alterations of the gastric mucosa. In terms of treatment, apart from dietary management, pharmacological treatment can be selected, including acid-reducing and gastric-protective medications, particularly suitable are traditional Chinese medicines that protect the stomach. It is advisable to supplement some vitamins and avoid spicy and pickled foods. Certainly, for atrophic gastritis, it is important to be cautious of concurrent Helicobacter pylori infection. If Helicobacter pylori infection is considered, anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment is recommended for the patient, followed by regular follow-ups, typically every six months to one year for a gastroscopy examination. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)