Atrophy of the gastric mucosa or atrophic gastritis is one of the forms of chronic gastritis caused by the death of a part of the mucosal cells and replacement of the glands that produce enzymes and gastric juice with a common connective tissue. As a result, the process of digestion of food and the assimilation of nutrients is broken, which affects the entire body negatively.
Causes and symptoms of atrophy of the gastric mucosa
Most often, atrophic gastritis develops as a consequence of bacterial gastritis and the chronic inflammatory process caused by it.
In addition, the causes of the development of the disease can be:
- autoimmune factors (hereditary predisposition);
- irregular and unbalanced nutrition;
- the constant use of food, negatively affecting the mucosa (a large number of spicy, roasted, etc.);
- alcoholism;
- exposure to toxic substances;
- long-term use of potent drugs that affect the mucosa.
Atrophic gastritis decreases the functionality of the stomach, so among the main symptoms of the disease, note:
- decreased appetite;
- a burp with an unpleasant odor;
- nausea;
- feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
Also, due to poor digestion of food, may appear:
- stool disorder;
- rumbling and swelling of the abdomen;
- intolerance of certain types of foods (primarily fermented milk);
- a dysbacteriosis.
Development of atrophy of the gastric mucosa
Atrophy of the mucosa can be both focal, and cover the entire stomach.
Usually, the disease begins with a focal shape, at which individual zones of damage, of different sizes and at different stages of the course of the disease are observed. This form of the disease often does not have a pronounced symptomatology, and may not manifest itself until it grows into a more dangerous form and does not affect most or all of the mucosa.
It is also customary to consider atrophy of the mucosa of the antral part of the stomach. This part of the stomach, located in its upper part, is responsible for grinding food and further pushing it through the pyloric sphincter. Acidity in this part of the stomach is usually reduced, and the glands produce mucus, designed to neutralize the effect of hydrochloric acid on the stomach. As a result of atrophy of the mucosa, the protection of the stomach from the acid produced by it decreases, which increases the probability of injury and inflammation of not only the antral, but also other parts.
Treatment of gastric mucosal atrophy with drugs
In the case of the bacterial nature of the disease, antibiotics can be prescribed. Depending on the acidity of the stomach environment, drugs that reduce or increase the production of hydrochloric acid can be prescribed, and almost always - substitutes for gastric enzymes:
- Pancreatin ;
- Festal;
- Panzinorm.
Also, vitamin complexes are prescribed, primarily B12, as its digestibility suffers first.
It is worth remembering that in neglected cases in the absence of treatment atrophy of the gastric mucosa can lead to the appearance of cancer.
Diet with atrophy of the gastric mucosa
With such a disease, the diet should be as gentle as possible, consist of easily digestible products that do not injure or create an excessive burden on the diseased organ. Exclude:
Also from the diet are removed:
- chocolate;
- candies;
- ice cream;
- products that are negatively affected.
Useful in this case:
- mousses;
- kissels;
- other food and drinks, covering the walls of the stomach.