Home Remedies for Gastritis

From: www.home-remedies-for-you.com

Gastritis can be described as a group of various conditions that have one thing in common; inflammation in the stomach lining. When this problem occurs all of a sudden or for a short while, it is known as acute gastritis, but if it occurs slowly and lasts for a long period of time, it is referred to as chronic gastritis.


Though anyone can suffer from this ailment, it is a lot more common in elderly people. Gastritis inflammation usually occurs because of a bacterial infection, though there are other factors that could also contribute to this affliction, such as:

• Regular use of pain killers that include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen
• Consumption of excessive alcohol
• Severe stress because of a surgery, injury, burns or an infection
• Conditions like bile reflux disease, Crohn’s disease and parasitic infections

You may also develop a gastritis problem when your own body attacks the cells in the lining of your stomach. This is known as autoimmune gastritis and it is more likely to occur if you are suffering from autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s disease and diabetes (type-1). At times, the deficiency of Vitamin B12 could also lead to autoimmune gastritis.

Fortunately, this gastric problem is not a serious one and in most people, it can be treated without any trouble. In some rare instances, it could lead to ulcers or increase the risks of stomach cancer however. For this reason, it is best to ensure that gastritis is checked, treated and monitored by a doctor at all times.


Symptoms of Gastritis
Most people experience a bout of indigestion or stomach irritation at some point or the other. Some of the most common symptoms for gastritis include:

• Bad taste in the mouth
• Belching or passing gas excessively
• Black, tarry stools
• Coated tongue
• Diarrhea
• Fullness or bloating sensation in the upper abdominal area, which worsens after eating
• Halitosis or bad breath
• Heartburn
• Hiccups
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe pain or burning in the upper abdomen, which may become better or worse after you eat
• Weight loss, for no apparent reason

Usually, indigestion is short-lived and may not require any medical attention. These symptoms disappear when the infection is cured. There are some people who do not have any symptoms even when they are suffering from gastritis. However, at times, you may even experience a headache, because of dehydration, which could occur when you have diarrhea.

In some cases, gastritis could cause bleeding in the lining of the stomach. When this happens, the symptoms that occur include:

• Black and tarry stools
• Vomiting blood or throwing up a coffee ground-like substance

In case you notice any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention, without any delay.

Causes of Gastritis

There is a mucus-lined barrier that protects the walls of your stomach from the acids it produces for digestion. Gastritis occurs when this protective layer gets damaged or weakened, for any reason; any weakness in this mucus-lined barrier allows your digestive juices to inflame the lining of the stomach. There are several factors that could cause a weakening of the protective layer or barrier in your stomach; some of the causes are more common as compared to others.

Given below are some of the common causes of gastritis:

• Prolonged use of certain medications, such as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen
• Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol
• Helicobacter Pylori (G. Pylori) bacterial infection in the lining of the stomach (through contaminated food or water)

Some of the less common cases of gastritis include:

• Autoimmune disorders like pernicious anemia
• Being placed on a breathing machine
• Bile reflux, which is the backflow of bile into the stomach
• Consumption of corrosive or caustic substances, such as poison
• Excessive stress
• Trauma or a sudden severe illness like kidney failure or a major surgery
• Use of illegal drugs like cocaine
• Viral infections like herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus
• Weakened or compromised immune systems

Before trying to treat gastritis, your doctor will try to identify the causes. The treatment path suggested may vary, depending upon the specific cause of the condition.

Remedies for Gastritis

Most instances of acute gastritis are treated with medications, which could include antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, acid blockers and antacids, depending upon the causes. However, if you are suffering from chronic gastritis, you may want to consider using natural cures to prevent or seek relief from this problem. Given below are some of the most common home and natural remedies for gastritis:

• Coconut Water: Once the symptoms of gastritis begin to surface, drink nothing but fresh coconut water for the first 24 hours or so. This will help the lining of your stomach heal faster.
• Licorice: You can help your gastrointestinal tract heal faster, by chewing on about 300mg to 600mg of licorice each day.
• Peppermint: There are volatile oils like menthol present in peppermint leaves, which improve digestion and relieve the symptoms of gastritis
• Papayas: The high amount of enzymes present in papaya makes the fruit excellent for digestive purposes. Eat papaya seeds or ripe papaya once a day to improve digestion.
• Goldenseal: The bacteria that cause an inflammation in the stomach lining are killed off by this herbal remedy. You can also relieve the symptoms of gastritis with goldenseal
• Ginger: This is regarded is one of the most effective remedies for gastritis, as it can give you relief from most of the symptoms. Ginger also helps heal the tissues of your stomach and intestines. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties present in ginger may also help to kill off the bacteria that cause gastritis.

Most of the natural remedies mentioned above are quite safe if used correctly. However, make sure that you consult your doctor before trying any of them, as not all of them are supported by scientific research.

Diet for Gastritis

It is possible to alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by acute or chronic gastritis, without taking any medication. To do that, you need to watch what you eat very carefully. Following a gastric diet can be highly beneficial, as it eases the symptoms and helps your stomach fight off the infection. A gastric diet is not like an eating plan that helps you lose weight. Instead, it tells you which foods you should eat and avoid, in order to recover from gastritis at a faster pace.

Given below is a list of foods that are good for gastritis:

• Bell peppers
• Blue berries
• Cherries
• Leafy green and dark green vegetables
• Lean meats
• Sea vegetables
• Skimmed, no-fat and low-fat dairy products
• Squash
• Whole grains

Beverages that are useful in the treatment of gastritis include:

• Carrot juice
• Coconut water
• Papaya juice
• Pineapple juice
• Spinach juice
• Water

There are several food items that should be avoided when you are suffering from gastritis, as they aggravate the condition. Given below is a list of foods to avoid in gastritis:

• Fruits like apples, grapefruit, cranberries, oranges and lemons
• Vegetables and legumes such as peas, dried beans, tomatoes, broccoli, onions, celery and cabbage
• Meat and fish varieties, especially pork, chicken nuggets, beef, buffalo wings, eel, salmon and herring
• Dairy products, that include whole milk, sour cream, cheese, cottage cheese and ice cream
• Spices like chili powder, red and black peppers, garlic and mustard
• Oil and fat, such as palm oil and salad dressing

In case you do suffer from gastritis, there are certain beverages that you need to avoid, like:

• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Tea
• Cola and other aerated drinks
• Cocoa and hot chocolate
• Citrus juices, such as lemonade, tomato juice and orange juice

Do consult your doctor before you make any changes to your diet.

Suggestion for Gastritis

Gastritis can be alleviated and prevented by incorporating a few simple lifestyle changes. Given below are a few suggestions for dealing with and preventing gastritis:

• Eat smaller meals at frequent intervals during the day, to ease the digestive process
• Avoid foods that could irritate your stomach, such as whole-milk and spicy, fried, fatty or acidic foods
• Limit your consumption of alcohol to one or two drinks a day
• Talk to your doctor about the painkillers you take regularly as well as the side-effects you may experience
• Adopt techniques to cope with stress, like meditation, yoga, deep breathing or tai chi
• Protect yourself from H. pylori infections by washing your hands with soap and water regularly
• Consume only those foods and beverages that you know have been prepared and stored under hygienic conditions (reducing risks of contamination)

Make it a point to speak with your health care provider, before you try out any home remedies or changes to your diet and lifestyle.