Gastritis is an inflammation of the mucosa lining the inner wall of the stomach that affects about 50% of the world’s population. It can be acute or chronic, in the first case it manifests itself suddenly with episodes of short duration, while in the second one it manifests itself slowly and lasts for longer time. When it is not treated in time, it can result in gastric ulcer, therefore it is appropriate to understand with what symptoms it manifests, the possible causes and the natural remedies that can be implemented to counteract the disorders of gastritis.
Gastritis: Causes
Gastritis can have different causes depending on whether it is acute or chronic gastritis, in particular:
→ Chronic Gastritis is caused by the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori.
→ Acute Gastritis, on the other hand, can be caused by several factors, such as:
- Alcohol abuse
- Assumption of narcotics
- Excessive use of medications such as NSAIDs
- Diet rich in irritating foods
- Viral, fungal or parasitic infections
- Radiation therapy
- Gastro esophageal reflux
- Food allergies or food poisoning
- Stress and anxiety
It is precisely this last factor that determines the appearance of nervous gastritis, a particular form of gastritis that falls within the psychosomatic diseases. It is not serious but it should be treated because it can become chronic and compromise the lifestyle of those who suffer from it.
Gastritis: symptoms
The symptoms of gastritis are different depending on whether it is acute or chronic gastritis. Let’s see them together:
The symptoms of acute gastritis are:
- Heartburn
- Bad breath
- Bitter mouth
- Flatulence
- Bloated belly
- Nausea
- Feeling of fullness in the abdomen
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Tarry stools
Symptoms of chronic gastritis include:
- Anorexia
- Meteorism
- Halitosis
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blood in stool and vomit
- Reduction in stomach secretory activity (hypochlorhydria)
- Pepsinogen and intrinsic factor deficiency
Gastritis: what to eat
- Avoid long periods of fasting, better if you distribute meals in several snacks and make them at fixed times.
- Eat a lot of vegetables and non-acidic fruit, the latter to be preferred away from meals.
- Take yogurt with milk enzymes and probiotics.
- Best if you take skim or part-skim milk.
- Eat cereals and whole foods.
- Prefer extra virgin olive oil.
- Favor white meat over red meat, and fish and low-fat cheeses over fatty ones.
- Avoid spicy foods, chili peppers, highly spiced foods, carbonated beverages, coffee and chocolate.
- Avoid the combination of proteins and carbohydrates, especially in the evening when it is difficult to digest.
- Limit consumption of wine and other alcoholic beverages.
- Do not smoke.
- Avoid cold foods and drinks on an empty stomach.
- Drink herbal teas with plant extracts suitable to bring benefits to the stomach.
- Drink two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar diluted in water every morning.
Gastritis: natural remedies
- Wash your hands often with soap and water to minimize the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection.
- Eat well-cooked and well-washed foods to avoid Helicobacter pylori infections.
- Reduce stress by helping yourself with yoga or pilates classes.
- Don’t drink alcohol.
- Don’t smoke.
- Limit your intake of FANS.
- Follow a healthy, balanced diet as previously shown.
- Chew slowly.
- Avoid prolonged fasting, but prefer lots of snacks and fixed times for lunch and dinner.
- Drink at least 2 liters of water a day.
- Do sports, even better a walk after meals to aid digestion.
- It is advisable to take herbal teas with plant extracts of ginger, mallow, chamomile, altea, peppermint and licorice.
- Food supplements can also be of help, you can try GASTRO PRIME capable of soothing gastric symptoms which contains Licorice, fermented Papaya, Pectin and Vitamin A.
- Licorice which contains glycyrrhizin, to which we owe the anti-inflammatory, protective and healing action on the gastric mucosa useful to combat burning, stomach pain and to fight esophagitis.
- Fermented papaya that facilitates digestion and the process of absorption of food.
- Pectin that slows down the time of emptying of the stomach, increasing the time of satiety.
- Vitamin A with antioxidant power.
- Or the supplement NO GAS PRIME for abdominal bloating that contains Caraway, Artichoke, Star Anise and Essential Oil of Mint.
- Caraway has stomachic properties, that is, it stimulates the appetite and promotes gastric secretion, carminative properties thanks to which it reduces the formation and stimulates the expulsion of intestinal gas and spasmolytic properties that make it able to calm colic and intestinal cramps.
- Artichoke which is able to reduce symptoms related to poor digestion but also to relieve abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and symptoms related to irritable bowel.
- Star Anise which has carminative, stomachic, stimulant, sedative and diuretic properties.
- Mint Essential Oil which has a stomachic, carminative and antispasmodic action.
- They also help the probiotics PROBIOTIC PRIME and PROBIOTIC PRIME PLUS.
Discover our selection of supplements: Stomach and intestine
