Gastritis (Acute Gastritis, Stomach Flu, Inflammation of the Stomach)

Last week Friday, I was admitted at the Adventist University of the Philippines Health Services Center at 7:00 in the morning. Why? Because I was suffering AGAIN from the pain of Gastritis.
That was the third time being confined due to the same pain, and in almost three years time, it was the fourth time that it attacked me.
The pain last week was much longer and worse than before. I stayed at the clinic for almost 50 hours for observations, medications, and some tests.
Being stubborn is the first cause why I still suffer from this very unwanted ache.
And because I do not want other people to be affected too by this kind of pain, here are some information about this Gastro-intestinal disease and how one can prevent it.


Gastritis is an inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach. This includes both the stomach and the intestine.


THE SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, burning and gnawing feeling in the stomach between meals or at night, loss of appetite, and muscle aches. Acute symptoms generally last only 24-72 hours.


THE CAUSES:
It is usually caused by viral (sometimes bacterial) infection, allergies, stress, chemical irritation, or medicinal drugs. Antibiotics are a frequent cause; they weaken the body so a virus can attack.
It may be caused by excessive alcohol, food poisoning, or a bacterial infection. An attack can be triggered by drugs, such as aspirin, or anti arthritic medications.
It may also be caused by one of the following:

• Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori): A bacteria that lives in the mucous lining of the stomach. Without treatment, infection can lead to ulcers, and in some people, stomach cancer.
• Pernicious Anemia: A form of anemia that occurs when the stomach lacks a naturally occurring substance needed to properly absorb and digest vitamin B12.
• Bile reflux: A backflow of bile into the stomach from the bile tract (that connects to the liver and gallbladder).

NATURAL REMEDIES:

• Begin by giving the person activated charcoal: Each dose should be 4 capsules, 8 tablets, or 1-2 tablespoons of powder stirred into a glass of water. Give a dose each time there is vomiting or diarrheal stools.
• Keep him in bed and give a clear liquid diet during the acute stage while there is nausea and vomiting. Throughout the day give small amounts of water, fruit juices, or ice chips to help restore lost fluid.
• When the vomiting and diarrhea cease, give small amounts of non-irritating food such as cooked rice, plain cooked potatoes, cooked carrots, bananas, or apple sauce.
• Do no be quick to let him get out of bed; for the vomiting and loss of fluids may have weakened him.
• In small children and infants especially, watch for signs of dehydration. These signs include drowsiness, rapid respiration, and dry skin and mucous membranes. This is important.
• Mix 1 tsp catnip tea leaves in a cup of water, step for 15 minutes, and drink while warm. This is very soothing to the digestive system. If it is vomited up, give again immediately; it is more likely to be accepted and kept down the second time.
• If fluids cannot be kept down, then give small saline enemas, to replace lost body fluids. Using 1 level of teaspoon of slat per pint of water, inject 1-2 ounces of the solution into the rectum (using a small rubber bulb syringe). Then hod the buttocks together for several minutes. Do this every 1-2 hours until improvement is seen and he is able to take fluids by mouth.

SIGNS AND TESTS:

• Complete blood count (CBC) to check for  anemia or low blood count
• Examination of the stomach with an endoscope (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD)
• H.pylori tests
• Stool test to check for small amounts of blood in the stools, which may be a sign of bleeding in the stomach.

MEDICINES THAT DOCTORS CAN PRESCRIBE:

Over-the-counter and prescription drugs that decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, such as:

• Antacids
• H2 antagonists: famotidine (Pepsid), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and nizatidine (Axid)
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) -- omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), iansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (AcipHex), and pantoprazole (Protonix)

Antacids may be used to treat chronic gastritis caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

AVOID:

• Avoid junk beverages(colas, black tea, coffer, or alcohol); for they will only irritate and intensify the symptoms. Caffeine inflames the stomach.
• Avoid processed and greasy foods; avoid milk and high-roughage foods. Avoid all irritants: salt, pepper, strong spices, and very acidic foods.
• Do not smoke or be near those who smoke.
• Search out offending foods and stop using them.

I hope this can be a very big help to you guys who have Gastritis like me. I got this because the hydrochloric acid in my stomach produces too much. And when I do not eat meals at the right time, this acid will still produce though there is nothing to digest inside the stomach causing it to be inflamed and irritated. Six weeks is the minimum length of time I can cure it by just eating on time and eating the right foods. As of now, I am taking Ranitidine and Omeprazole as prescribed by the doctor.

Stress is also one of the first causes. Beware and be careful when it comes and hit you. There are much more disease it can bring.

Prevention is better than cure! :D

For an encouragement:

God has a heaven full of blessings that He wants to bestow on those who are earnestly seeking for that help. ~Proverbs 10:22

Sources:

Natural Remedies Encyclopedia, Vance Ferrel

The U.S National Library of Medicine - Official Website

WebMD, Better Information, Better Health