Gastritis can last a short time or for months or years. If you experience symptoms, you should see a doctor. Treatment will be prescribed depending on the cause. However, improving your intestinal health will help prevent discomfort.
Gastritis occurs when the stomach lining becomes swollen or inflamed. It can last only a short time (acute gastritis) or last for months or years (chronic gastritis), explains the Mediline Plus website.
Usually, the causes are the use of certain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, among others, excessive alcohol consumption, or Helicobacter pylori infection, explains this website, which mentions extreme stress, reflux, and viral infections among other less common causes.
If you experience repeated discomfort, stabbing pain, or burning in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, or a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating, see a doctor. Do not self-medicate, as these are symptoms of gastritis.
After the doctor evaluates the case through a gastrointestinal endoscopy, biopsies, and other tests, if gastritis is confirmed, he or she will recommend medical treatment to improve symptoms and reduce the possibility of complications, explains the National Institute of Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) website.
Improve your gastric health through diet and avoid discomfort
María José Ovalle, a natural medicine therapist and holistic health coach, in a consultation with a Prensa Libre journalist, recommended including the following foods to relieve gastritis symptoms and improve gastric health.
Traditional treatment for gastritis focuses on preventing the stomach from producing too much acid so it can regenerate its protective barriers. If the cause is an intestinal infection, a doctor will recommend treatment to eliminate the bacteria.
- Chamomile or scabies infusion. Many herbs help reduce stomach inflammation and relieve heartburn. A chamomile, rosemary, scabies, rue, or ginger infusion after meals will benefit your stomach health.
- Papaya or pineapple juice. Papaya provides papain, and pineapple provides bromelain, which help soothe stomach pain and irritation.
- Rice water. This remedy is popular for soothing stomach upset, not just those related to gastritis. It’s prepared by adding one cup of raw rice to 4 ml of boiling water. Let it boil for 8 minutes, then remove from the heat. Strain the water and drink it twice a day.
- Potato juice. Potato juice is a natural antacid, so it reduces burning and helps heal. It’s ideal to take it on an empty stomach or in the afternoon. Prepare it with three peeled raw potatoes and 150 ml of warm water. Place these on a grater and place the grater over a container. Add the water and drink it at least 30 minutes before eating. Another way to prepare it is to blend the potatoes and then strain the liquid.
- A banana a day. This fruit is beneficial for the gastric mucosa and helps heal stomach injuries. Eating a banana a day will improve your health.
- Eat oatmeal for breakfast. Eating oatmeal helps with stomach pain and cramps, and its fiber content aids digestion. It’s best to eat it in the morning, although it’s fine to include it in your meals.
- Choose cooked fruits and vegetables. Some fruits and vegetables, when eaten raw, cause the stomach to produce more acid, so it’s recommended to eat them cooked. These include tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli, apples, and pears.
- Yogurt. Yogurt provides probiotics that are beneficial for the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, lactobacilli inhibit the colonization of Helicobacter pylori bacteria. It’s recommended to use natural yogurt, and you can complement it with fruit. Other probiotics that help with this are kombucha and kefir.