What you should know about gastritis

Did you know that many people with gastritis do not have any symptoms? But what is gastritis? Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed or swollen. It may last for a very short period of time or it may last longer, you might suffer from it for months or even years. Some of the most common causes of gastritis are too much drinking of alcohol; prolong period of time of taking certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen; cocaine abuse; extreme stress; viral infection; auto-immune disorder; and more.

Few years ago, I thought that my husband has an acute gastritis. He has the symptoms like pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen, black stools, and frequent bathroom discharge. We were scared that if it was not gastritis then it must be something serious. We immediately scheduled an appointment to our family physician. Then our doctor recommended to see a gastroenterologist. After thorough examination and many tests, we have found out that hubby has ulcerative colitis. It is a disease not the cause is still unknown but it is common to white Americans.

Anyway, if you think you have gastritis, it is best to consult your doctor. Treatment depends on the specific cause of your gastritis. Some of the causes will disappear over time but it is always safe to see a doctor.