Gastritis is a group of symptoms and conditions that stem from inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis has many different causes, and the symptoms of the illness can vary in degree and expression. The most common symptom of gastritis is discomfort in the upper abdominal area, oftentimes accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Gastritis can be acute (occurring suddenly and for a relatively short duration of time), or chronic (appearing gradually over time, with symptoms that last indefinitely). Gastritis is rarely fatal, generally improving quickly and without any medical intervention. However, persistent symptoms that are left untreated can sometimes result in gastric bleeding—a very serious condition that requires immediate hospitalization. Gastric bleeding can be identified by blood in vomit or stool.

The causes of gastritis are varied, affecting different people in different ways. A weakening of the mucus-lined barrier that protects the stomach wall can cause stomach acid and other digestive juices to damage the stomach lining, making it inflamed and irritated. This type of inflammation can be caused by trauma, burns, shock, or even poor circulation due to surgery. It can also be caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Certain lifestyle choices can increase the chances of gastritis–such as the regular use of alcohol and/or pain relievers. Regular use of either of these substances can cause the lining of the stomach to become irritated and damaged.

Self Help

Once the underlying cause of gastritis is determined, your doctor(s) can develop a treatment option that is best suited to your unique needs. However, there are steps you can take to achieve relief from some of the signs and symptoms that come with this condition.

• Abstain from alcohol. Alcohol can irritate the lining of the stomach, causing inflammation and pain.
• Switch pain medicine. For those living with chronic pain, switching to a pain reliever that won’t aggravate the lining of the stomach (such as acetaminophen) may help.
• Eat a healthy diet. Foods that are greasy, fatty, spicy, or acidic should be avoided, as they can exacerbate the symptoms of gastritis.
• Lower your stress levels.  Stress can often cause the symptoms of gastritis to linger or worsen. Practicing meditative techniques may help some people find relief.

Gastritis caused by H. Pylori is slightly more complicated, as it is caused by a bacterial infection—the exact mode of which is not well known. Preventative measures include frequently washing your hands with soap and water, and always ensuring that food is completely cooked before consumption.

Western Treatments

Gastritis is relatively easy to diagnose, and tests to identify the underlying cause can be administered. These tests include endoscopy, x-ray, and tests to detect the bacteria H. pylori. Once the cause of the inflammation is acknowledged, your medical practitioner can take steps to organize an effective treatment plan. Sometimes treatment is as easy as eliminating alcohol consumption or ceasing to use risky pain medications. Other times, antibiotics for bacterial infection or medications to manage the production of stomach acid may be administered. As with many pharmaceuticals, there comes the risk of various side effects—many of which prove problematic for some patients.

Treatments Based in TCM Practices

There are a few herbal mixtures that can be taken to alleviate some of the symptoms of gastritis. To help decrease the inflammation and encourage proper healing, a mixture containing isatis extract leaf & root, codonopsis root, oyster shell, bupleurum root, smilax rhizome, gardenia fruit, moutan root bark, and tang kuei root can be taken

To help restore the alkaline/acid balance in the stomach, one can take a mixture containing poria sclerotium, coix seed, barley shen qu, magnolia bark, angelica root, pueraria root, red atractylodes rhizome, vladimiria souliei root, and pogostemon herb.

Finally, to help decrease the inflammation in the stomach and to help generate fluids, one can consume a mixture containing louts seed , ophiopogon tuber, poria sclerotium, white ginseng root, plantago seed, scute root, smilax rhizome, and astragalus root.