What Is Gastritis?
Gastritis occurs when the thin lining of the stomach and oesophagus gets eroded from constant inflammation. The inflammation is caused by acid reflux, vomiting and ulcer. The acids from the stomach start eroding the thin sensitive lining. Generally, the stomach lining releases the acid needed in the digestive process. However, under the state of erosion, the stomach lining secrets fewer acids and enzymes, hence contributing to severe severe issues related to gastritis. Gastritis is both uncomfortable and distressing for the person suffering from it. The patient will not be able to seek a prolonged peaceful sleep during the nighttime and will constantly battle a burning sensation in the chest.
Causes And Symptoms Of Gastritis
There are several causes and symptoms related to Gastritis. Most symptoms can range from mild irritation to severe pain and inflammation. Sometimes these severe symptoms may lead to dire consequences. Hence, it is important to keep a check on one’s digestion and food intake. Below are some known causes and symptoms of gastritis:
Causes Of Gastritis
1. Spicy Food
Spicy food can cause inflammation in the oesophagus when consumed before sleeping. The stomach acids attack back on the food canal when lying down. The acids irritate the sensitive lining of the stomach, oesophagus and throat. It causes the person suffering from gastritis to experience intense gnawing sensation in the chest. It can further lead to nausea, vomiting and erosion of the oesophagus. Hence, it is advisable to avoid spicy foods such as curries, marinated meats, citrus fruits and tomato-based dishes before going to bed.
2. Eating Disorder
Eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia are deadly causes for gastritis. Though not commonly spoken out loud, a high number of men and women suffer from eating disorders. In the case of bulimia, a person suffering from it throws up the contents of their stomach in order to get rid of the consumed calories. In this process, the acids from the food travel back from the stomach to the oesophagus. This leads to erosion and inflammation of the thin lining of the stomach and oesophagus. The erosion of oesophagus can contribute to ulcer.
3. Bacterial Infection
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterial infection caused when germs enter the body and inhibit inside the digestive tract and the stomach lining. H. pylori leads to stomach sores, stomach ulcers, erosion in the lining of the stomach and bleeding in the small intestines. It can also cause stomach cancer.
4. Alcohol Intake
Increased alcohol intake can lead to can cause belching and stomach ulcers. Alcohol causes bloating of the stomach, it restricts normal nervous function and leads to nausea. All of these factors contribute to gastritis. Alcohol contaminates the stomach acids which ends up inflaming the tissues present in the stomach.
5. Overuse Of Medication
Overuse of certain medicines can erode the sensitive lining of the stomach. The ingredients can have harsh effects on the digestive tract if used for a prolonged period of time. They can prove to be toxic by mixing with the stomach acids and causing inflammation in the oesophagus.
6. Smoking
While smoking, the nicotine present in the cigarettes enters the body and harms the internal organs. Nicotine increases the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach which can cause gastritis, stomach ulcers and inflammation. It can also cause erosion of oesophagus, cancer in the pancreas, stomach and lungs.
7. Coffee Intake
Caffeine is one of the culprits of exacerbating the symptoms of gastritis. It irritates the thin lining of the stomach and oesophagus. Caffeine should be especially avoided at the night time as it both causes gastritis and insomnia. Energy drinks including caffeine should also be avoided at all costs.
8. Extreme Stress
Those who are under extreme psychological stress, or are critically ill, suffer from stress-induced erosive gastritis in which there is a severe loss of food minerals from the body. The person suffers from mucosal erosions and stress-induced ulcers. Gastritis in a person suffering from extreme psychological stress ranges from mild to severe.
Symptoms Of Gastritis
1. Nausea
Nausea is the feeling of discomfort and irritation in the chest which is often indicated as an urge to vomit the contents of the stomach. It can also make the person feel dizzy and uneasy. While it is not painful in nature, nausea can immense discomfort if left untreated for a prolonged period of time.
2. Burning Sensation
When consuming spicy, tomato-based and citrus foods, the acidity reacts with the sensitive lining of the oesophagus and stomach. This reaction results in erosion and consecutive gnawing sensation in the chest.
3. Heartburn
Heartburn occurs when the acids present in the stomach attack back on the oesophagus. This causes a gnawing, burning and painful sensation in the throat and the chest. This often occurs when a person suffering from gastritis consumes spicy and acidic foods at night before going to bed. It is common to have heartburn when the person is lying down after mealtime.
4. Ingestion
Ingestion occurs when the foods in the digestive tract remain unabsorbed. This happens when the digestive system of the body does not tolerate certain foods. It causes bloating, stomach cramps, burning sensation as the food remains undigested in the stomach.
5. Abdominal Bloating
Another symptom of gastritis is abdominal bloating. Bloating occurs when the person suffering from gastritis feels a tighter abdomen. Sometimes the person can feel a sharp pain in the abdomen due to the feeling of fullness and tightness. This is due to the consumption of certain foods at the wrong time of the day.
6. Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain happens in the mid-section of the body between the ribs and the pelvic region. It is usually described as sharp pain followed by stomach cramps. This occurs due to acids attacking the stomach and inducing inflammation.
7. Constant Hiccups
Hiccups are an involuntary action which happens repeatedly when muscles of the chest that are responsible for breathing contract and retract. It usually occurs when the person consumes foods that irritate their system or over consumes alcohol. It can be acute or it can last for a prolonged period of time depending on the severity of the issue.
8. Vomiting
A person vomits when nausea induces the contents of the stomach to attack back on the oesophagus (the digestive tract). The vomiting causes erosion of the thin lining of the stomach and also leads to inflammation.
How To Treat Gastritis At Home?
1. Jeera Drink
What You Will Need
- Room temperature or chilled water – 1 glass
- Jeera (cumin) seeds – 1 teaspoon
What To Do
- First, roast the cumin seeds and grind them to a fine powder.
- Add one teaspoon of ground cumin powder to one glass of water.
- Mix well and drink immediately.
How Often To Do
You can consume the cumin drink after each meal.
Why This Works
Cumins seeds have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help in the digestion process and clear the oesophagus. It also helps with bloating and nausea.
2. Yogurt
What You Will Need
- Plain yogurt (or) greek yogurt – ½ cup
What To Do
- Consume ½ cup of yogurt after each meal to support the digestion process.
How Often To Do
You can consume the yogurt after each meal – three to four times a day.
Why This Works
Yogurt is probiotic which fights the bacteria that enters the stomach such as H. pylori. It also defends the digestive tract from the stomach acids and erosion.
3. Aloe Vera
What You Will Need
- Organic aloe vera gel – 2 teaspoons
- Warm water – 1 glass
What To Do
- The easiest way to obtain aloe vera gel is by extracting it from a leaf of aloe vera plant.
- Dilute 2-3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel in one glass of room temperature water.
- Mix well before consuming the drink
How Often To Do
You can consume the aloe vera drink 2-3 times a day depending on the severity of gastritis.
Why This Works
It works because aloe vera fights against the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. The anti-inflammatory properties present in aloe vera soothe the inflammation in the oesophagus and stomach caused by acid erosion.
4. Ginger
What You Will Need
- Ginger – ½ inch long root
- Water – 1 glass
What To Do
- Cut the root of ginger into tiny pieces.
- Add the pieces to a pot of hot boiling water.
- Cook the water well before straining the solution into a cup.
- Consume ginger tea while it is still hot.
How Often To Do
You can drink ginger tea twice a day.
Why This Works
Ginger roots fight against the bacteria (H. pylori) which causes gastritis. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Green Tea
What You Will Need
- Green tea – 1 tea bag
- Hot water – 1 cup
What To Do
- Add a green tea bag to a cup of hot water.
- Let the tea bag infuse the water completely before pulling it out.
- Stir well and drink.
How Often To Do
You drink this every morning before breakfast.
Why This Works
Green tea protects the thin sensitive lining of the stomach and oesophagus. It also has antioxidants which help in dealing with bloating and nausea.
[Read More: Interesting Benefits of Green Tea Oil for Skin, Hair & Health]
6. Garlic
What You Will Need
- Garlic – 1
What To Do
- Crush one garlic.
- Swallow it raw.
How Often To Do
You can repeat this every morning before having breakfast.
Why This Works
Garlic naturally fights the symptoms of gastritis such as nausea, vomiting, bloating and hiccups.
7. Kefir
What You Will Need
- Kefir – 1 glass
What To Do
- Drink one glass of kefir
How Often To Do
One time a day – either early in the morning or before bedtime.
Why This Works
Kefir is a fermented milk drink which contains microbial properties that help with regulating the digestion process.
8. Honey
What You Will Need
- Honey – 2 tablespoons
- Warm water – 1 cup
What To Do
- Combine warm water and two tablespoons of honey.
- Drink the solution.
How Often To Do
You can drink the honey and warm water early in the morning before breakfast.
Why This Works
Honey is antibacterial and hence fights the H.pylori present in the lining of the stomach. It also reduces bloating and feeling of nausea.
9. Baking Soda
What You Will Need
- Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
- Warm water – 1 cup
What To Do
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a warm cup of water.
- Drink the solution instantly.
How Often To Do
You can drink this once a day.
Why This Works
Baking soda is an antacid which helps in balancing the levels of acidity in the stomach. It also relieves bloating, nausea and burning sensation in the chest.
10. Vitamin C
What You Will Need
- Citrus fruit – 1
- Water – 1 glass
- Any added ingredients (optional)
What To Do
- Make the citrus fruit into a form of a juice or smoothie with more added ingredients (lemon or orange).
- Drink it.
How Often To Do
Drink the juice early in the mornings.
Why This Works
The vitamin C present in the citrus fruit helps to fight infections and protect the sensitive lining of the stomach and oesophagus.
11. Oatmeal
What You Will Need
- Oatmeal – ½ cup
- Water or milk – ½ cup
- Added toppings (optional)
What To Do
- Cook ½ cup of oatmeal with ½ cup of water or milk.
- Serve the oatmeal hot with or without added toppings – bananas, berries, nuts, caramel, etc.
How Often To Do
You can have this every morning as breakfast.
Why This Works
Oatmeal is alkaline and supports the digestive process as it is rich in fibre.
12. Turmeric
What You Will Need
- Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
- Yogurt – 1 tablespoon
- Water – 1 tablespoon
What To Do
- Combine 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, yogurt and water in a mixing bowl.
- Make it into a smooth paste.
How Often To Do
Consume the paste every day.
Why This Works
Turmeric has antibacterial properties which alleviate the burning sensation in the chest and help fight the bacteria present in the stomach lining.
13. Potato Juice
What You Will Need
- Grated potatoes – 2
- Water – 1 cup
What To Do
- Peel and grate 2 potatoes.
- Mix the potatoes with water in a juicer until smooth.
How Often To Do
You can drink the juice every day before or after a meal.
Why This Works
Potato juice balances the acids in the stomach and reduces inflammation from gastritis.
14. Apple Cider Vinegar
What You Will Need
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 teaspoon
- Water – 1 cup
- Honey (optional)
What To Do
- Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of room temperature water.
- Stir well. You can also add honey for flavouring.
How Often To Do
You can drink this every morning on an empty stomach.
Why This Works
It balances the levels of acids present in the stomach. It also reduces inflammation of the stomach lining.
15. Coconut Water
What You Will Need
- Coconut – 1 whole (young)
What To Do
- Drink the coconut water directly from the organically harvested coconut.
How Often To Do
You should drink coconut water three times a day.
Why This Works
Coconut water is anti-inflammatory. It calms and soothes the eroded stomach lining and reduces bloating.
Also read:
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