With chronic gastritis, in addition to the inflammatory process, there is a structural rearrangement of the gastric mucosa. As a result, mucosal tissues are atrophied, secretory functions of the stomach are disrupted. This type of disease, as a rule, has a progressive nature and proceeds with periods of remission and exacerbation. Why there is an exacerbation of a gastritis, and on what grounds it can be recognized, we will consider in this article.
Causes of exacerbation of gastritis
Most often there is an autumn and spring exacerbation of gastritis. It is during these periods that changes in the "winter" and "summer" regimes associated with changes in nature occur in the body. Experts say that during the off-season the activity of the gastrointestinal tract decreases, the acidity of the gastric juice changes. Also in the raw season, the Helicobacter pylori bacterium is activated, which is often the main cause of gastritis, and the defenses of the human body decrease. In addition, often during these periods, the diet often lacks vitamins B and C, which are required for the natural renewal of the gastric mucosa.
Other causes of exacerbation of chronic gastritis:
- inaccuracies in maintaining a diet;
- violation of the regime and the rhythm of nutrition;
- alcohol consumption;
- smoking;
- inflammatory processes in the body ( caries , tonsillitis, bronchitis, etc.);
- food poisoning;
- stress;
- taking certain medicines, etc.
Symptoms of exacerbation of chronic gastritis
The intensity and nature of the symptoms of exacerbation of the disease are individual for each person. However, we can distinguish a number of the most typical signs of chronic gastritis in the stage of exacerbation:
- pulling or sharp pain in the area of the stomach, which is more often manifested during and after eating;
- nausea, vomiting after eating;
- bouts of heartburn ;
- an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth after waking;
- increased salivation;
- bloating;
- feeling of heaviness in the epigastric region;
- feeling of rapid saturation;
- disruption of the intestine.
Also, exacerbation of gastritis can be characterized by such symptoms as elevated body temperature, headache, weakness, palpitations.
It is impossible to determine how long the exacerbation of gastritis will last. This is also determined by the individual characteristics of the body, the degree of disease, the presence of concomitant diseases, the correctness of therapeutic measures.
What to do with an acute attack of gastritis?
Sometimes it happens that an attack of exacerbation of gastritis, which is characterized by a sharp stomach pain, catches a man by surprise. If urgent medical assistance is not possible, the following should be done:
- Lie down on your side, bending your knees to relax your muscles;
- lie in this position for at least 15 minutes;
- suck a slice of lemon or a piece of ice.
Prevention of exacerbation of chronic gastritis
Following the following rules will help prevent an exacerbation of the disease:
- compliance with diet, diet and rhythm of nutrition;
- to give up smoking;
- refusal to drink alcohol;
- avoid the use of products that cause chemical, mechanical and thermal irritation of the gastric mucosa;
- observance of caution when taking medication;
- elimination of occupational hazards that have toxic or irritating effects on the stomach (metal and coal dust, alkali vapor, etc.);
- timely sanation of foci of chronic infection;
- adequate therapy of acute infectious diseases;
- avoidance of stressful situations;
- regular visit to the gastroenterologist.