What causes bile reflux gastritis?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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Bile reflux gastritis is generally believed to be caused by bile reflux leading to inflammation in the stomach. It can cause abdominal discomfort in patients, where the discomfort typically presents as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. The abdominal pain is often in the upper abdomen, characteristically above the navel and typically episodic; it may improve after eating, with fasting pain being the most common. The pain is primarily in the upper abdomen, without accompanying radiating pain to the upper back, fever, etc. Nausea and vomiting are also fairly common, considered to be reactions of the digestive tract, and closely related to bile reflux. Regarding treatment, the main approaches include dietary adjustments and medication. Medications can include acid reducing, stomach protecting, and anti-bile reflux drugs. For diet, it is recommended that patients maintain a regular, bland diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Can bile reflux gastritis cause diarrhea?

Bile reflux gastritis is mainly caused by the retrograde movement of bile, which enters the stomach through the pylorus, leading to a series of symptoms such as abdominal distension, abdominal pain, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and a bitter taste. This condition should not be directly related to diarrhea, but it is possible for patients with bile reflux gastritis to experience symptoms of diarrhea. This is more commonly seen in patients after gallbladder removal surgery. Due to the loss of the gallbladder's function to store bile, bile not only retrogrades into the stomach via the duodenum but can also directly enter the intestines, stimulating the intestinal mucosa and thus leading to symptoms of diarrhea.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Is biliary reflux gastritis related to cholecystitis?

Bile reflux gastritis and cholecystitis are not necessarily related, they are two different diseases. Bile reflux gastritis is generally a type of chronic gastritis, mainly characterized by abdominal discomfort, with most patients experiencing abdominal pain such as dull pain, distension pain, and colic, among others. Of course, some patients also experience changes in appetite, nausea, belching, and burping, etc. Patients should visit the gastroenterology department of their local hospital for a gastroscopic examination to confirm the diagnosis. Under a gastroscopy, bile reflux gastritis primarily exhibits symptoms such as mucosal congestion and edema, accompanied by bile, thus confirming the diagnosis. Treatment involves dietary adjustments and medication. It is recommended that patients consume a light diet, develop good living and eating habits, and may choose acid-suppressing and stomach-protecting medications, with a treatment duration of 2-4 weeks. Cholecystitis, on the other hand, is generally a cholecystitis-related condition, typically exhibiting symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, and jaundice, etc. The general treatment for cholecystitis primarily involves anti-infection therapy.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can people with bile reflux gastritis eat walnuts?

People with bile reflux gastritis can eat a small amount of walnuts. Those with bile reflux gastritis should avoid overly spicy and irritating foods, and should refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol, strong tea, coffee, high-fat and high-calorie foods to prevent relaxation of the pyloric sphincter, which can exacerbate the symptoms of bile reflux gastritis. It is also necessary to take medications that absorb bile, such as magnesium aluminum carbonate, aluminum magnesium suspension, etc., and to use medications that promote gastric motility and suppress gastric acid secretion for treatment. Medications that promote gastric motility may include mosapride, domperidone, itopride, etc. (Use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician)

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Can bile reflux gastritis cause chest pain?

Once symptoms such as abdominal bloating, acid reflux, and belching are noticed and diagnosed as bile reflux gastritis, there could be chest pain which should be noted. This supposed chest pain is related to the esophagus; therefore, it occurs in the center of the chest, not on the sides. In such cases, symptomatic medical treatment can be applied. Typically, for bile reflux gastritis, proton pump inhibitors along with mucosal protectants and gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs can be used for treatment. Drugs that improve bile metabolism may also be used. Additionally, it's important to note in terms of diet, that chest pain is not necessarily caused entirely by reflux and other causes of chest pain should also be ruled out.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of bile reflux gastritis?

Bile reflux gastritis is a type of chronic gastritis that is commonly seen in clinical settings. It is generally believed to be caused by bile reflux leading to inflammation of the stomach and discomfort. The symptoms of bile reflux gastritis typically include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and belching, among others, with abdominal pain being particularly common. The pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen, specifically above the navel, and is episodic, occurring less frequently at night. It is generally related to diet and tends to improve after eating. The common nature of the pain is usually a dull, bloating, or burning sensation. However, patients generally do not experience fever, anemia, emaciation, or weight loss. The treatment of bile reflux gastritis typically involves strengthening acid suppression and gastric protection, choosing some gastric protective and bile-antagonistic drugs. The treatment effectiveness is generally good and not overly concerning. (The use of drugs should be under the guidance of a doctor.)