Overview

Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It most commonly occurs in patients taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), or in people infected with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Symptoms

Although many patients with gastritis have no symptoms, it can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or bleeding. 

Testing

Gastritis is diagnosed with an endoscopy, which involves passing a flexible tube through the mouth into the esophagus and stomach to directly look at the lining of the stomach.

Treatment

Gastritis is often treated by medications that reduce acid production, and by eliminating inciting medications.

Patients with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection should also receive antibiotic therapy to eliminate the infection from the stomach, as this will reduce the risk of developing Peptic Ulcer Disease and cancer of the stomach