Gastritis: A Pain in the…Stomach
Foods and Other Tips to Help Stop the Pain and Burning
Feel like you're a walking advertisement for antacids? You may be one of several million who has gastritis. Learn what you can do to ease the pain and stop the damage.
Do you have indigestion after each meal? Stomach always hurting, bloated, gassy? Feel like you’re a walking advertisement for antacids? You may be one of several million people who has gastritis. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), gastritis is not a single disease, but several different conditions whose symptoms can vary from: belching, bloating or fullness, burning in the stomach, upset stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
Gastritis can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or infection with bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Sometimes gastritis develops after major surgery, traumatic injury, burns, or severe infections. Certain diseases can also cause gastritis. Check with a board certified gastroenterologist if you feel that you may have gastritis. The doctor will perform specific tests to diagnose and treat the problem.
There are several steps you can take to treat the gastritis, including medicine and avoiding specific foods, beverages, and other things. If you don’t have h. pylori infection that requires antibiotics, then your doctor will likely prescribe antacid medication or recommend an over-the-counter brand to help relieve symptoms and promote healing of the lining of the stomach. Though you can’t prevent gastritis, follow these tips to ease the pain and prevent further damage:
Say “Yes” to:
Eating smart. A good idea for a variety of reasons, but sensible since food passes directly through your stomach. Follow these tips to help ease stomach discomfort:
- Eating frequent, smaller meals
- Eating bland, low-fat foods
- Eating moderate portions
- Eating slowly
- Relaxing while eating
Getting plenty of exercise. A minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day is recommended to give your heart, lungs and gut a workout. Exercise helps food to move through your intestines more quickly. Check with your doctor before you begin an exercise program.
Watching your weight. Digestive problems can occur at any weight, but heartburn, bloating and constipation tend to be more common in people who are overweight. Maintaining a healthy weight can often help prevent or reduce these symptoms
Say “No” to:
Irritating foods. Particularly spicy, acidic, and fried foods, highly marbled meats, skin on chicken, and creamy sauces.
Alcohol. Excessive use of alcohol can irritate your protective stomach lining, causing inflammation and bleeding.
Smoking. Smoking is bad, period. Bet you didn’t know if can affect your stomach? Smoking interferes with the protective lining of the stomach, making your stomach more susceptible to gastritis as well as ulcers. Smoking also increases stomach acid and delays stomach healing which can lead to stomach cancer.
Stress. Relax. Calm down. Whatever it takes…yoga, meditation, tai chi, therapeutic massage, long walks, time outs. Being stressed can be gut wrenching and have a negative impact on other organs as well.
Coffee…both caffeinated and decaffeinated can be hard on your tummy.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are all NSAIDs, which can cause stomach inflammation or make existing irritation worse. If possible, talk to your doctor about switching to pain relievers containing acetaminophen.
Lastly, follow your doctor's recommendations.Since gastritis can lead to stomach cancer, be sure to tell your doctor if the changes you’ve made don’t improve your symptoms. While you can't prevent gastritis, you can makes healthier choices that won’t irritate your stomach. If you have trouble with choosing the right foods to eat or maintaining a healthy weight, speak with a local dietitian who can help you.
