What are the symptoms of atrophic gastritis?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
1min 22sec home-news-image

How to prevent and treat atrophic gastritis

Chronic gastritis includes two types: chronic non-atrophic gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis. Chronic atrophic gastritis is generally more severe than chronic non-atrophic gastritis and usually accompanies intestinal metaplasia, which some refer to as a precancerous lesion. If chronic atrophic gastritis is present, formal medical treatment is necessary. Initially, it is advisable to check for Helicobacter pylori infection. If an Helicobacter pylori infection is found, timely eradication therapy is recommended, typically using quadruple therapy, which consists of a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, treatment generally focuses on symptomatic relief, such as protecting the gastric mucosa and enhancing gastric motility. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine has shown satisfactory effects in treating chronic atrophic gastritis. It is also important to maintain good dietary and living habits, prefer light and easily digestible foods, and avoid raw, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods to help maintain a positive state of mind. Regular gastroscopy check-ups are necessary. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
51sec home-news-image

Is atrophic gastritis grade I serious?

Grade I atrophic gastritis is not serious. Atrophic gastritis refers to the atrophy and reduction of the gastric mucosa and glands, and it manifests with symptoms like stomach discomfort, bloating, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. For those with atrophic gastric cancer, it is important to control the diet, avoid overeating, and abstain from spicy, raw, greasy, and irritating foods. This type of chronic digestive system disease, if not properly managed, can frequently relapse and has the potential to become malignant. If the condition can be controlled and does not frequently recur, it generally does not have a significant impact on the body.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
36sec home-news-image

The difference between chronic superficial gastritis and chronic non-atrophic gastritis

Chronic superficial gastritis only shows lesions on the superficial layer of the gastric mucosa, and the condition generally is not very severe; while chronic atrophic gastritis refers to the atrophy of the gastric mucosa and a reduction in glandular tissue. Both conditions can be distinguished by undergoing a gastroscopy. Symptomatically, they are generally hard to differentiate, and both may present clinical symptoms of chronic gastritis such as loss of appetite, belching, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
50sec home-news-image

Does atrophic gastritis cause diarrhea?

Generally speaking, atrophic gastritis does not cause diarrhea in patients. The main symptoms of atrophic gastritis include dull pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, belching, or accompanied by symptoms such as weight loss and anemia. If a patient with atrophic gastritis experiences diarrhea, they should promptly visit the gastroenterology department or intestinal clinic of a standard hospital to complete routine stool examinations and tests, and if necessary, an endoscopic examination of the colon. In terms of treatment, antidiarrheal medications such as montmorillonite powder can be used, as well as treatments like Bacillus coagulans to regulate the intestinal flora. It is also advised to drink more water to avoid dehydration.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
57sec home-news-image

Non-atrophic gastritis with focal erosion treatment

Non-atrophic gastritis with erosive lesions, primarily diagnosed through gastroscopic examination that revealed erosive and other changes in the gastric mucosa. If erosion is detected, doctors generally perform a biopsy under gastroscopy to ascertain the nature of the erosion. If the erosion is inflammatory, it can be treated with oral medications, including acid-suppressing and stomach-protective drugs, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa. If the erosion involves intestinal metaplasia or atypical hyperplasia, it requires endoscopic APC treatment or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to eliminate the erosive areas, thereby addressing the erosion fundamentally. Additionally, attention should be paid to a light and easily digestible diet.