Common gastritis symptoms and other signs to look out for

Gastritis is a digestive disease that causes inflammation of the stomach. Gastritis can appear suddenly (acute gastritis) or gradually over a long period (chronic gastritis). So, what are the symptoms of gastritis or stomach ulcers that you are watching out for? Come on, discuss the following symptoms one by one.

A variety of common gastritis signs and symptoms

Gastritis, also known as inflammation of the stomach, indicates damage due to infection or high stomach acid. This is triggered by various things that are done every day, such as severe stress, smoking, eating spicy fatty foods, drinking alcohol, or taking long-term painkillers.

There are many more causes of gastric inflammation that may occur. But whatever the cause of gastritis you are experiencing, generally this disease will cause signs and symptoms in the form of:

1. Flatulence

Gastritis can cause signs and symptoms of flatulence due to the overgrowth of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach and small intestine.

Launching the Harvard Health Publishing page, a gastroenterology specialist from Harvard Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Kyle Staller said the excess bacteria in the stomach will continue to produce gas which then causes the stomach to feel full and gassy (bloating).

In addition, bloating can also be a symptom of gastric inflammation due to drinking too much alcohol on an empty stomach. Alcohol is a substance that causes inflammation because it consists of a mixture of other ingredients, such as sweeteners and carbonated water.

These various substances can then cause stomach upset or bloating after drinking alcohol. Thus, gastric inflammation due to gastritis can be exacerbated by the effects of alcohol in the stomach.

2. Stomach pain

Stomach pain is the most common sign and symptom of gastritis. These gastritis characteristics indicate inflammation of the stomach lining. Most people who experience these gastritis symptoms complain of a burning sensation in the stomach.

Inflammation of the stomach can result from an infection with the H. pylori bacteria. The lining of the stomach whose function is to protect the stomach from acid to digest food will thin out when attacked by a bacterial infection.

Infection by H. pylori bacteria can increase stomach acid which then erodes the stomach wall, forming sores or ulcers in the stomach. Damage to the lining of the stomach can cause pain and discomfort in the stomach.

These symptoms of gastric inflammation can also appear after you take drugs, foods, or drinks that trigger gastritis. For example, after you drink alcoholic beverages, spicy or sour foods, NSAID anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. These various intakes can irritate the stomach lining, making the stomach feel sick.

3. Vomiting and nausea

The appearance of nausea and vomiting is a response to inflammation due to H. pylori infection in the stomach. This gastritis symptom can also appear when you consume food or drinks that trigger acid reflux.

When stomach acid rises, acid gases can collect in the stomach and cause your stomach to feel full or fill up. This is what in turn can make you nauseous, even vomiting. Gastritis signs and symptoms can also appear after you eat.

4. Burning feeling in the chest

The next signs and symptoms of gastritis are burning in the upper stomach, around the gut. This symptom of gastric inflammation is commonly felt after eating or while sleeping, because the leaking stomach acid flows into the esophagus.

Gastric acid can leak into your esophagus due to an abnormality in the dividing valve between your stomach and esophagus.

When the gastritis is severe enough, the sphincter or valve muscles that separate the stomach and esophagus are weak. As a result, stomach acid will easily rise into the esophagus and cause symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

5. Loss of appetite

The presence of inflammation in the stomach that causes general nausea makes the sufferer lose appetite. When stomach acid rises and produces a lot of gas, the stomach feels full. This makes the stomach feel as if it is "full" or awful. As a result, you are lazy to eat.

Especially if this feeling makes you nauseous. You must feel like throwing up every time you eat your food.

6. Black stool color

Symptoms of gastritis that cause black stool to be aware of. This condition means that the inflammation has caused bleeding in the stomach.

Bleeding can occur when infection or inflammation causes a wound in the stomach wall. When the wound or ulcer bleeds and then mixes with stomach acid, the stool will be dark in color and tend to be blackish.

The body responds differently when the stomach becomes inflamed. This allows each person to experience different symptoms of gastric inflammation.

Gastritis signs and symptoms that need to be taken to the doctor

Almost everyone can experience digestive disorders such as gastritis. Most of these heal quickly and do not require a doctor's care. However, that doesn't mean you take it for granted.

If you feel signs and symptoms of gastritis for a week or more, especially if you are using painkillers, consult a doctor immediately.

Also be aware of vomiting of blood, blood in the stool, or black stool. This is a warning that you need immediate doctor care so that the condition does not get worse.

Tips for dealing with recurring gastritis signs and symptoms at home

In most cases, how to treat gastritis symptoms will depend on the cause. If the cause is a common acid reflux problem, your doctor may prescribe antacids or other medicines to reduce your stomach acid production.

These medications can help relieve gastritis symptoms such as stomach pain and heartburn, as well as a burning sensation in the chest and throat.

Meanwhile, if your gastritis symptoms are caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics in combination with PPI drugs. The combination of these two drugs is effective at killing bacteria and at the same time reducing stomach acid.

While taking gastritis medication, you will be advised to avoid spicy, oily, fatty, and acidic foods so that the symptoms do not get worse.

Doctors also recommend that you do not smoke and drink alcoholic beverages, and reduce stress so that the stomach does not become more inflamed.

If you experience symptoms while pregnant, it is very important to always consult a doctor. The reason is, overcoming gastritis in pregnant women, especially drug use, must be closely monitored. The goal is that treatment does not have a bad effect on the health of the mother and fetus.