Currently, it is more and more common for men and women to suffer from gastritis due to the state of constant tension and stress experienced in these times of pandemic. This condition is caused by the inflammation of the gastric mucosa that occurs for various reasons, including: bacterial infections, frequent use of certain medications, high alcohol intake, poor eating habits, stress, among others. On this occasion, Dr. Roberto Piccini, gastroenterologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, gives us more information.

Symptoms

Gastritis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Burning in the pit of the stomach
• Acidity
• Feeling of fullness
• Swelling in the belly
• Sickness
• Loss of appetite
• Reflux
• Pain in the upper abdomen; among other symptoms that can give us signs of suffering from it

Prevention

To prevent it, the following recommendations can be followed

• Have a fixed time for meals
• Avoid irritating foods such as: spicy, acidic, fried foods, garlic
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Sports and relaxation exercises
• Evaluate the possibility of changing medications if you take them frequently

All these recommendations can help prevent and/or keep this disease under control.

 Complications

Like any disease, gastritis must be diagnosed in order to receive adequate treatment, since failure to do so can cause further complications such as ulcers and stomach bleeding. On the other hand, if there is severe abdominal pain or traces of blood in the stool, it is time to see a specialist.

 Recommendations

It is very important to write down the symptoms that appear and the date from which they start; in addition to identifying what situation may be generating a lot of tension and keeping in mind the medicines or supplements that are taken so that the specialist can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Finally, if deemed necessary, the gastroenterologist may order complementary tests such as a breath test to find out if you are a carrier of Helicobacter pylori, upper endoscopy, X-ray of the upper digestive system, among others.

Dr. Roberto Piccini
Gastroenterologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma