|
|
|
|
|
| Definition: |
A sudden inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
|
| Alternative Names: |
Acute gastritis
|
| Causes, incidence, and risk factors: |
| Causes include medications, alcohol, ingestion of corrosive substances, extreme physiological stress, and infections. Acute gastritis is often associated with a severe, acute illness, or trauma. The risk factors are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (NSAIDs), recent heavy alcohol use, or physiological stress such a major surgery, head trauma, renal failure, liver failure, respiratory failure. |
| Treatment: |
Treatment depends on the cause of the gastritis. Antacids or other medications to decrease or neutralize gastric acid in the stomach will usually eliminate the symptoms and promote healing. Medications that cause gastritis should be discontinued. A gastric ulcer may be present requiring treatment.
Gastritis due to physiologic stress is best treated by prevention. Medications to decrease gastric acid production such as H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors should be given to stressed hospital patients. |
| Expectations (prognosis): |
| Most gastritis improves rapidly with treatment. |
| Complications: |
| A complication is a severe loss of blood. |
| Calling your health care provider: |
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of gastritis persist longer than 2 or 3 days.
Call your health care provider if vomiting blood or if bloody stools develop. |
| Prevention: |
| Control of risk factors may play a preventative role. |
|
|
Review Date: 12/3/2001
Reviewed By: Andrew J. Muir, M.D. M.H.S., Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
|
 |
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
|
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
|
