Atrophic gastritis: symptoms, causes and treatment

Violation of the stomach and the formation of glandular cells leads to the onset and development of atrophic gastritis. As a result, the walls of the stomach are subject to degenerative-destructive changes, which requires timely and prolonged treatment.

Atrophic gastritis: what is it?

When an atrophic gastritis occurs, atrophy of the stomach walls occurs, which lose their functional capacity to produce gastric juice, which disrupts the digestion process and the absorption of nutrients. Cells responsible for the formation of glands covering the walls of the stomach, begin to produce mucus instead of gastric juice.

The danger of this disease is that it is a precancerous condition that is recognized at the global level in the field of oncology. Given the morphology of cells, the mucosal development improves the risk of developing oncological diseases of the stomach, which are detected at later stages and are therefore incurable.

Important! In case of any manifestation or pain in the stomach, and at the age of 30 years, irrespective of sex, it is recommended to undergo an endoscopic examination at a frequency of once a year.

The examination can be carried out in a polyclinic at the place of residence. If you suspect any abnormal changes in the cells of the gastric mucosa, the endoscopist must do a biopsy and send the resulting material to a histological examination. This gives the maximum information picture of this pathology.

Causes of the disease

There are several possible causes of this disease.

1. Bacterial - the development of atrophic gastritis is often associated with inflammatory processes caused by the bacterium Helicobakter pylori. First of all, it causes superficial gastritis, lack of appropriate treatment, which already leads to the development of other forms of gastritis, gastric ulcer, stomach cancer.
2. Autoimmune - a malfunction in the formation of mature gland cells, suppressing their specialization. As a result, the cells do not carry their direct function, which disrupts the physiological process of regeneration of the glandular cells of the stomach.

Other causes of atrophic gastritis can be called provoking factors, since there is no direct connection with its development in this case:

• unbalanced diet;
• bad habits, such as drinking alcohol, smoking, excessive consumption of fatty, spicy and fried foods;
• heredity.

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Symptoms of the disease

This type of gastritis is not characterized by pain syndrome. Patients, as a rule, do not experience painful sensations and in the early stages of the development of the disease, there is no significant discomfort. Slight soreness can be observed with palpation of the abdomen in the epigastric region, in other words, at the site of the projection of the stomach.

At an early stage of pathogenesis, symptoms can be mildly expressed, so it is very important to pay attention to any changes in the work of the gastrointestinal tract for the timely detection of the disease. Signs of gastritis appear at later stages of its development.

Symptoms that accompany the appearance of atrophic gastritis:

• feeling of stomach fullness regardless of the amount of food eaten;
• feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
• appetite impairment;
• appearance of burping with an unpleasant aftertaste and subsequent heartburn;
• weight loss on the background of impaired secretory function of the stomach;
• rumbling and gurgling in the abdomen;
• disruption of the bowel, accompanied by diarrhea and constipation;
• deterioration of general state of health: weakness after eating, sweating, dizziness.

Because of the deterioration in the absorption of the contents of the stomach, there is a lack of essential vitamins and trace elements. This is expressed in the deterioration of the skin, hair, nails, which become dry and brittle.

Atrophic chronic gastritis

Atrophic gastritis develops in chronic form. This pathology is characterized by mild symptomatology, it takes a long time without significant discomfort.

1. However, the atrophy of cells of the glandular tissue progresses over time, the inflammatory processes displace the destructive ones.
2. There is a change in the secretory, motor, absorbed functions of the stomach. The work of the digestive tract as a whole is disrupted.
3. Gastritis occurs against a background of decreased acidity.

Acute atrophic gastritis

Acute atrophic gastritis develops as a stage of chronic gastritis. Its progression can be provoked by external factors: intoxication and ingestion of poisonous, corrosive substances, acids and alkalis. It is manifested by severe symptoms: pain in the epigastric region, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, deterioration of general health, fainting is possible.

Atrophic gastritis in children

Atrophic gastritis in children is extremely rare, however, its development in childhood is not ruled out. Previously it was believed that the development of the disease takes quite a long time. But the latest scientific data refute this claim, which is confirmed by the fact that children can also suffer from this disease, although less often.

With low acidity

The development of gastritis with reduced acidity can lead to atrophic gastritis. When it develops, the concentration of hydrochloric acid and enzymes decreases, the digestive process and the absorption of food deteriorates. It enters the intestines in a poorly digested form. Symptoms do not have a pronounced character.

1. Pain occurs on a full stomach, except that, there may be a heaviness in the stomach, bloating, belching a rotten egg.
2. It is also often observed a set of body weight for no apparent reason, which is due to the fact that nutrients are not absorbed, which affects weight gain.

With increased acidity

Increased acidity of gastric contents leads to the possibility of the appearance of foci of inflammation and disruption of the integrity of the mucosa. As a result, either an ulcer or an atrophic gastritis with increased acidity is formed.

1. The latter is characterized by pronounced symptoms - it's pains on an empty stomach, which subsided or pass completely at mealtime.
2. There is also a persistent heartburn, an eructation sour, an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth, periodic nausea.

Diagnosis and medical treatment

Drug administration should be performed only after examination by a medical specialist, conducting a thorough examination and establishing a final diagnosis.

Important! If a suspected development of atrophic gastritis is the leading method of examination is an endoscopic study.

In the course of this study, a visual assessment of changes in the surface tissues of the stomach is performed, and material is taken for histological analysis.

Based on the combination of data, the purpose of complex therapy is made. Acceptance of certain medications depends on many factors, on the form and nature of the course of the disease, the age of the patient, the presence of concomitant diseases.

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Treatment is carried out in several directions and can include:

• antibacterial therapy directed to the destruction of the bacterium Helictibakter Pylori. Antibiotics of the penicillin and tetracycline series, as well as antibacterials of a wide spectrum of action are prescribed for these purposes;
• administration of drugs aimed at improving digestion processes, for example, activated charcoal, other defoamers, pancreatic enzymes, cholagogue;
• course of vitamins B12, B1, B6 intramuscularly;
• reception means covering the walls of the stomach, for example, maalox, almagel;
• administration of drugs aimed at regulating gastric motility;
• reception of preparations-blockers of H2 receptors, reducing acidity of gastric contents - omez or its analogue omeprazole.

Important! Self-administration of medications is not allowed. In this case, there is a risk of getting complications and worsening of the general condition.

When an atrophic gastritis is detected, the patient is prescribed a course of treatment, and he is observed out-patient, having entered the dispensary records in the polyclinic at the place of residence. Also this means the need to undergo medical examination once a year. With exacerbation of gastritis treatment is carried out in a hospital.

Folk remedies for treatment

Treatment of atrophic gastritis has a long-term character. To accelerate the recovery process, with the permission of the doctor, it is possible to use folk remedies. Such funds will help normalize the functioning of the digestive system and improve overall health.

Important! Learn more about the treatment of gastritis with folk remedies.

Herbs

To improve digestion and secretory function, often treated herbs, usually in the form of therapeutic gastric collection.

1. In equal portions you need to take leaves of triple, grass meadow, clover, St. John's wort, angelica root, immortelle, sage leaves, mint, ara rhizome, dill seeds.
2. Herbs mixed, pour 1 tbsp.l.a glass of boiling water, close the lid and let it brew for 2-3 hours.
3. After this infusion, strain, add water to make a glass of infusion and drink 3 times a day for 30 minutes before eating 1 glass.
4. Continue to be no less than 2-3 months.

You can also buy a ready-made gastric fee from the pharmacy.

Sea buckthorn oil

Sea buckthorn oil contributes to the rapid regeneration of tissues, and also improves the digestion process. Healing properties of sea-buckthorn are unique. Take oil should be 1 tbsp.l.2-3 times a day before meals.

Chamomile

An anti-inflammatory property, which reduces irritation of the mucosa, has an infusion of chamomile. For its preparation 2 tbsp.l.daisies are poured 3 cups of boiling water, close the lid and let it brew for 2-3 hours. Then strain and drink half the glass 2-3 times a day.

Juices

Vegetable juices that will improve gastric secretion and will promote the normalization of the digestive process are useful for atrophic gastritis.

1. Mix cabbage juice - 50 ml, potato juice - 25 ml, carrot juice - 25 ml, dilute with boiled water - 100 ml.
2. Drink between meals during the day.

Important! The use of any folk remedies must be agreed with the attending physician.

Compliance with the diet

Compliance with diet with atrophic gastritis is one of the most important factors affecting the effectiveness of treatment of this disease. As with other types of gastritis, it is necessary to normalize nutrition, adhere to the regime and exclude certain foods to improve and facilitate the work of the stomach.

Prohibited products include:

• smoked meat, salted and marinated products;
• oily and fried foods;
• alcohol;
• tea, coffee, carbonated drinks;
• sweets
• spicy seasonings.

When the disease worsens, diet No. 1a is prescribed. In this case, food is allowed only in liquid form, and also in the form of puree or mashed. Cooking should be steamed or boiled. The menu consists of nine main courses, these are mainly soups, puree, and the use of dairy products is also acceptable.

Such a diet with atrophic gastritis at the stage of exacerbation is of a short nature until the acute symptoms are eliminated. Then the food is on the diet menu №1.Restrictions are made by hot and heavily chilled dishes, as well as foods rich in fiber.

When a stable remission is reached, the patient is transferred to the basic diet No. 2.Nutrition becomes more diverse, but one should adhere to sparing methods of heat treatment and cook steamed, boil, bake, while allowing easy roasting food. The use of vegetables and fruits, meat, fish, fermented milk products is allowed. Do not eat chilled foods with a rough structure.

Prevention

To prevent the development of atrophic gastritis, it is very important to detect and treat early acute and chronic gastritis early. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are caused, as a rule, by unbalanced nutrition, harmful habits, stresses.

To prevent the development of atrophic gastritis, it is necessary: ​​

• to undergo regular examination with a gastroenterologist;
• , when an acute or chronic gastritis is detected, undergo an appropriate course of treatment;
• eat properly and regularly;
• to limit the consumption of fatty, salty, smoked food and sweets, as well as carbonated drinks and packaged juices;
• to exclude alcohol and smoking.

The combination of these negative factors affects the digestive system in the most negative way, which against the background of their long influence leads to the development of severe pathologies, such as atrophic gastritis.