Atrophic Gastritis
Gastritis comes in many forms and one of these is atrophic gastritis. This type of infection usually occurs in the elderly where their ability to secrete stomach acid to fight off any bacteria is impaired. The ingested bacteria can survive in the stomach environment and can even lodge itself in the small intestine. If there is no sufficient stomach acid to eradicate this bacteria, it can cause plenty of problems such as reduce the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12. Patients who are suffering from this kind of infection are usually given antibiotics to help bring back their B12 to normal levels.
All About Atrophic Gastritis
Atrophic gastritis is best described as the lining of the stomach becoming inflamed where the tissue becomes damaged in the course of the infection. When the lining becomes replaced by fibrous tissue, it will block the ability of the body to secrete the necessary acids for digestion and prevention of bacteria. There are instances where the occurrence of this type of gastritis becomes an autoimmune disorder. However, there are other factors that can trigger this infection like food. Patients suffering from this infection may or may not exhibit any symptoms at all which is quite common in gastritis.
Symptoms of Atrophic Gastritis
Part of understanding what atrophic gastritis is is to learn about the symptoms associated with it. Here are some that are common for this infection.
- Nausea – this symptom tends to appear in other forms of gastritis but those who are suffering from atrophic gastritis can exhibit it as well. Nausea and even vomiting can also be present as well.
- Indigestion – this symptom is common in gastritis patient. It is accompanied by belching frequently, pain in the abdomen as well as bloating.
- Loss of Weight – this may be true for some patients but there are times when it can be attributed to other factors such as absence of appetite, indigestion and even nausea.
Is There a Cure for Atrophic Gastritis?
There are some patients who wonder whether there is a cure for atrophic gastritis. The answer is no. However, there are medications that can help alleviate the pain and the symptoms of this infection such as antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors and even antacids. The reduction of vitamin B12 absorption can be remedied through injections.
There are some therapy programs that are recommended by doctors to their patients to help alleviate atrophic gastritis. Lack of cooperation from the patient can lead to poor results. These therapy sessions can last from 10 to 14 days. Some can even last for only a week.
Prevention of Atrophic Gastritis
You can reduce your chances of suffering from atrophic gastritis by learning how to prevent it from occuring in the first place. A good, healthy diet can help your stomach be free from harmful bacteria and allow proper digestion. You also need to learn to reduce the amount of food you are consuming in a day. Breaking them down in smaller meals can help your stomach digest the food properly. Improve your vitamin B12 levels by taking supplements as directed by your physician.