Gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of your stomach. It is not a single disease but rather a group of disorders. Gastritis can “eat away” the stomach lining and cause bleeding. In some cases, gastritis does not damage the stomach lining and does not have a specific cause.

Signs and Symptoms

The following are symptoms of gastritis:

  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain that is often worse after eating
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding (signs of this are vomiting material that looks like coffee-grounds, or having very dark stools)
What Causes It?

The causes of gastritis include the following:

  • Aspirin use
  • Alcohol and tobacco use
  • Serious illness
  • Reflux injury (such as bile backing up into the stomach and esophagus)
  • Trauma (for example, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, severe vomiting, having swallowed a foreign object)
  • Bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Systemic disease (for example, Crohn’s disease)
What to Expect at Your Provider’s Office

Conventionally accepted medical approaches of assessment for this condition may include taking your medical history and conducting a physical examination. Your provider may refer you to a gastroenterologist if you need further examination, such as an endoscopy or a gastroscopy. A biopsy may be taken of the tissues of your esophagus or stomach to determine the cause of your discomfort. Under the concepts of functional medicine, assessment is oriented toward determining what is impeding your body’s ability to function normally. While some of the conventional medical approaches may help in this determination, they may not necessarily apply to a functional approach. Your healthcare provider will determine which assessment tools are most helpful in establishing a treatment strategy specific to your health needs.

Treatment Options

Gastritis treatment depends on the cause of the problem.

Helicobactor pylori infestation, a common bacterial cause of gastritis and ulcers, is treated with a drug combination for two weeks: metronidazole and tetracycline (or amoxicillin if tetracycline cannot be used).

For some types of gastritis, you must stop ingesting all irritating substances, including alcohol, tobacco, aspirin, and spicy foods.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Nutritional and herbal support help to heal the stomach lining, fight infection, and reduce recurrence.

Nutrition
  • Avoid dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. Coffee, even decaffeinated, should be eliminated because it contains potentially irritating oils.

  • Eliminate any known food allergens from your diet.

  • Include sulfur-containing foods such as garlic, onions, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower in the diet. Sulfur is the basis for forming glutathione, which provides antioxidant protection to the stomach lining. N-acetylcysteine (200 mg twice a day between meals) is also the basis for forming glutathione.

  • Vitamin C (250 to 500 mg twice per day) decreases nitrosamines, substances that have been linked to stomach cancer.

  • Zinc (30 to 50 mg per day) helps you heal.
Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body’s systems. As with any therapy, it is important to work with your provider on getting your problem diagnosed before you start any treatment. Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day.

  • DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), 250 mg four times per day 15 to 20 minutes before meals and one to two hours after the last meal of the day, increases circulation and healing of stomach lining. This preparation is safe for people with high blood pressure or to take long-term. If you have high blood pressure, talk with your health care provider before taking any medications.

  • Powders of slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) and marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) may be taken singly or together, 1 tsp. two to three times per day, to decrease inflammation and encourage healing.

  • Ginger root tea (Zingiber officinale) increases circulation and enhances digestion. Drink 2 to 3 cups per day with meals.

  • For H. pylori, bismuth subcitrate (120 mg four times per day for eight weeks) may be helpful in eliminating the bacteria and reducing recurrence of gastritis. Do not use this long-term. Be sure to take it under the supervision of your health care provider, since you may still need antibiotics if theH. pylori is not gone after eight weeks.
Homeopathy

Homeopathy may be useful as a supporting therapy. There are three remedies to consider: Nux vomica, Arsenicum album,and Lycopodium.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may be helpful in reducing stress and improving overall digestive function.

Massage

Therapeutic massage can reduce stress and increase your sense of well-being.

Following Up

Return to your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.

Special Considerations

Do not ignore potentially life-threatening symptoms such as vomiting blood or blood in your stool. Be sure to see your healthcare provider regularly, and call him or her if there is any change in your symptoms. If you are pregnant, nutritional guidelines and herbal support are safe, but talk with your healthcare provider before taking any medicine or supplements.

Supporting Research

Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:427.

Carr AC, Frei B. Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69(6):1086-1107.

Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al., eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine.14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998: 941-943,1610-1614.

JAMAPatient Page. How much vitamin C do you need? JAMA. 1999;281(15):1460.

Johnston CS. Recommendations for vitamin C intake. JAMA. 1999;282(22):2118-2119.

Levine M, Rumsey SC, Daruwala R, Park JB, Wang Y. Criteria and recommendations for vitamin C intake. JAMA. 1999;281(15):1415-1453.

Murray MT, Pizzorno JE.Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. 2nd ed. Rocklin, Calif: Prima Publishing; 1998:522-523.

Sklar M, ed. Gastoenterologic problems. Clin Geriatr Med. 1991;7:235-238.

Sleisenger MH, Fordtran JS, Scharschmidt BF, et al. Gastrointestinal Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1993:545-564.

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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.

 

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