Gastritis - Diagnosis and treatment (2024)

Diagnosis

Although your doctor is likely to suspect gastritis after talking to you about your medical history and performing an exam, you may also have one or more of the following tests to pinpoint the exact cause.

• Tests for H. pylori. Your doctor may recommend tests — such as a stool test or breath test — to determine whether you have the bacterium H. pylori. Which type of test you undergo depends on your situation.

  For the breath test, you drink a small glass of clear, tasteless liquid that contains radioactive carbon. H. pylori bacteria break down the test liquid in your stomach. Later, you blow into a bag, which is then sealed. If you're infected with H. pylori, your breath sample will contain the radioactive carbon.

• Using a scope to examine your upper digestive system (endoscopy). During endoscopy, your doctor passes a flexible tube equipped with a lens (endoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus, stomach and small intestine. Using the endoscope, your doctor looks for signs of inflammation. Depending on your age and medical history, your doctor may recommend this as a first test instead of testing for H. pylori.

  If a suspicious area is found, your doctor may remove small tissue samples (biopsy) for laboratory examination. A biopsy can also identify the presence of H. pylori in your stomach lining.

• X-ray of your upper digestive system. Sometimes called a barium swallow or upper gastrointestinal series, this series of X-rays creates images of your esophagus, stomach and small intestine to look for anything unusual. To make an ulcer more visible, you may swallow a white, metallic liquid (containing barium) that coats your digestive tract.

Treatment

Treatment of gastritis depends on the specific cause. Acute gastritis caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol may be relieved by stopping use of those substances.

Medications used to treat gastritis include:

• Antibiotic medications to kill H. pylori. For H. pylori in your digestive tract, your doctor may recommend a combination of antibiotics, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin XL) and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, others) or metronidazole (Flagyl), to kill the bacterium. Be sure to take the full antibiotic prescription, usually for 7 to 14 days, along with medication to block acid production. Once treated, your doctor will retest you for H. pylori to be sure it has been destroyed.

• Medications that block acid production and promote healing. Proton pump inhibitors reduce acid by blocking the action of the parts of cells that produce acid. These drugs include the prescription and over-the-counter medications omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix) and others.

  Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, particularly at high doses, may increase your risk of hip, wrist and spine fractures. Ask your doctor whether a calcium supplement may reduce this risk.

• Medications to reduce acid production. Acid blockers — also called histamine (H-2) blockers — reduce the amount of acid released into your digestive tract, which relieves gastritis pain and encourages healing. Available by prescription or over the counter, acid blockers include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and nizatidine (Axid AR).
• Medications that neutralize stomach acid. Your doctor may include an antacid in your drug regimen. Antacids neutralize existing stomach acid and can provide rapid pain relief. Side effects can include constipation or diarrhea, depending on the main ingredients. These help with immediate symptom relief but are generally not used as a primary treatment. Proton pump inhibitors and acid blockers are more effective and have fewer side effects.

Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You may find some relief from signs and symptoms if you:

• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can irritate the mucous lining of your stomach.
• Consider switching pain relievers. If you use pain relievers that increase your risk of gastritis, ask your doctor whether acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may be an option for you. This medication is less likely to aggravate your stomach problem.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by making an appointment with your health care provider. If your doctor suspects gastritis, you may be referred to a specialist in digestive disorders (gastroenterologist).

What you can do

• Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
• Write down symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
• Consider taking someone along. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For gastritis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
• Should I be tested for H. pylori, or do I need an endoscopy?
• Could any of my medications be causing my condition?
• What are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
• What tests do I need?
• Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
• What is the best course of action?
• What are alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there restrictions that I need to follow?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
• Are there brochures or other printed material I can take? What websites do you recommend?
• What will determine whether I should schedule a follow-up visit?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

• What are your symptoms?
• How severe are your symptoms? Would you describe your stomach pain as mildly uncomfortable or burning?
• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• Does anything, such as eating certain foods, seem to worsen your symptoms?
• Does anything, such as eating certain foods or taking antacids, seem to improve your symptoms?
• Do you experience any nausea or vomiting?
• Have you recently lost weight?
• How often do you take pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen?
• How often do you drink alcohol, and how much do you drink?
• How would you rate your stress level?
• Have you noticed any black stools or blood in your stool?
• Have you ever had an ulcer?

What you can do in the meantime

Before your appointment, avoid drinking alcohol and eating foods that seem to irritate your stomach, such as those that are spicy, acidic, fried or fatty. But talk to your doctor before stopping any prescription medications you're taking.

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