Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It is a troublesome condition which may lead to many complications, including ulcers if not treated in time. Constipation aggravates the condition more than any other disorder.
The inflammatory lesions may be either acute erosive gastritis or chronic atrophic gastritis. The latter type has been found to be present in half the patients suffering from severe iron deficiency anaemia.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of gastritis are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness. There is also pain and a feeling of discomfort in the region of the stomach. In more chronic cases, there is a feeling of fullness in the abdomen especially after meals. The patients complains of heartburn.
Prolonged illness often results in loss of weight, anaemia and occasional haemorrhage from the stomach. There may be an outpouring of mucus and a reduction in the secretion of hydrochloric acid during acute attacks and also in most cases of chronic gastritis.
Causes
The most frequent cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual overeating, eating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods, excessive intake of strong tea, coffee or alcoholic drinks, habitual use of large quantities of condiments, sauces, etc.
It may sometimes follow certain diseases such as measles, diptheria influenza, virus pneumonia, etc. Frequently, it also results from worry, anxiety, grief and prolonged tension. Use of certain drugs, strong acids and caustic substances may also give rise to gastritis.