Superficial gastritis: causes of catarrhal form, symptoms and methods of treatment of gastropathy

Many people are familiar with the symptoms of gastritis firsthand - heartburn, heaviness in the stomach after eating, nausea. Due to the accelerated pace of life, good nutrition is often replaced by instant foods and dry snacks. For this reason, young people are increasingly being diagnosed with superficial gastritis - the initial stage of more severe forms of the disease.

What it is

Gastritis is called an inflammatory or inflammatory-dystrophic disease of the mucous membranes of the stomach. It has a complex classification that takes into account different features of the pathology. Among all types of gastritis, the superficial form is considered the least dangerous and, with the right approach to therapy, is quickly cured. However, do not underestimate the problem and brush it off, because the initial stage of the disease can easily transform into a serious illness.

The disease is characterized by inflammation of the upper epithelial layer of the mucous membranes of the organ. For this reason it is called superficial, catarrhal, or simple. For this pathology, the term gastropathy is applicable, which means diseases in the stomach with damage to the epithelial cover, but without changing the mucous membrane.

Superficial gastritis is mild, without pronounced symptoms. Damaged cells regenerate quickly with appropriate treatment. In children and young people, cell regeneration occurs more actively, therefore, for a complete recovery, it is enough just to eliminate the cause of the disease.

Symptoms of the disease usually appear after the influence of a provoking factor, for example, eating spicy or hot food. If such a factor is absent, then the mucous membranes of the stomach are restored, and digestion is improving. With an unexplained reason, the disease worsens again and again, so it is important to go to a medical institution and undergo a full examination. If you do not take any measures to eliminate the malaise for a long time, then the initial stage of the disease passes into the next form, which may require long and expensive treatment.

Classification

Superficial gastritis is classified according to different characteristics of the disease: stages, types, localization of inflammation, impaired secretory function and some other features. This classification helps doctors understand the causes of the onset of the disease, make a prognosis of the course of the disease and choose the optimal treatment.

The disease develops in three stages:

• For the first, mild degree of illness slight inflammation of the mucous membrane is characteristic. Individual cells or small areas of the epithelium are damaged.
• With a moderate, second stage of the disease more cells are included in the inflammatory process, the area of ​​the lesion increases, and the symptoms intensify.
• Stage III or active superficial gastritis diagnosed if inflammation extends to the entire area of ​​the gastric mucosa, or deepens into the layer, affecting the glands. At this stage, dystrophic changes in the mucous membranes may begin.

In the course of the disease, catarrhal gastritis can be acute or chronic. The second form, in turn, is recurrent or active. The chronic type of the disease often arises as a result of an untreated acute form, but it can develop as an independent disease. It is distinguished by periods of exacerbation and remission.

The active chronic form is characterized by a long period of exacerbation, in which the inflammatory process moves into the deep layers. At this point, gastritis ceases to be superficial, transforming into one of the other types of pathology.

According to the degree of change in the mucous membranes and the site of localization, the disease is:

• antral - the mucous membranes of the lower stomach (antrum) are affected, in the place where the organ connects to the duodenum;
• fundamental - inflammation is localized in the area of ​​the organ bottom, has an autoimmune nature of the disease;
• focal - the antrum is mainly affected, but in small areas;
• diffuse - inflammatory processes occur over the entire surface of the stomach;
• atrophic - there are minor degenerative changes in the surface layer of the mucous membranes;
• distal - pathology develops in the pyloric region of the stomach;
• hyperplastic - folds and growths are formed in the upper epithelial layer;
• erythomatous - with inflammation, eosinophils (a subspecies of blood leukocytes) accumulate inside the mucous membrane;
• hemorrhagic - accompanied by bleeding of foci of inflammation, localized in the upper part of the organ;
• small focal - mucous membranes are affected throughout the stomach, but in small islands;
• mixed - combines several types of gastritis.

Causes of occurrence

There are many reasons for the development of superficial gastritis. Most often, the problem appears due to improper diet and bad habits. An equally common cause is infection of the body by Helicobacter pilari. Only 20% of patients with diagnosed gastritis have no such bacteria in their stomachs. Many people carry the insidious microbe, but not everyone gets sick. It is believed that these microorganisms begin to multiply actively under favorable conditions, that is, the disease develops with a combination of several provoking factors.

Inflammation of the stomach lining can be caused by the following reasons:

• improper diet;
• regular use of alcoholic beverages;
• Helicobacter infection;
• long-term use of medications, especially antibiotics, NSAIDs, sulfa drugs, drugs with hormones;
• genetic predisposition.

Unhealthy food means unhealthy food (fast food, fast food with flavor enhancers, etc.), overeating, irregular meals, an abundance of protein, fatty and fried food.

Some diseases contribute to the development of superficial gastritis, in particular:

• metabolic disease;
• intoxication of the body due to severe inflammatory diseases;
• inflammation of adjacent organs;
• frequent stressful situations;
• autoimmune pathologies;
• disorders in the endocrine system.

Catarrhal gastropathy: symptoms and diagnosis

The superficial form of the disease does not pose a serious threat to human health and life. However, one must understand that any inflammatory disease, especially if it is internal organs, can be dangerous. In addition, catarrhal gastropathy tends to spread inflammation.

In order to recognize the complication in time, you need to monitor the manifestations of the disease. If the symptoms become more pronounced and persistent, then the disease may have turned into a different form.

Symptoms

Usually, the disease does not occur suddenly, but develops gradually, with an increase in the intensity of symptoms. Exacerbations occur periodically, but for a short period of time.

Catarrhal gastropathy is characterized by the following manifestations:

• heartburn, nausea;
• heaviness, a feeling of fullness in the stomach;
• deterioration in appetite;
• pain after eating (in the upper left abdomen);
• bitter taste in the mouth.

Sometimes these symptoms can be accompanied by diarrhea, constipation and increased gas production. An intestinal disorder occurs when the secretory function is impaired due to inflammation. With an increase in acidity, diarrhea, a sour taste in the mouth, and stomach pain at night are observed. Due to low acidity, appetite decreases, the tongue becomes covered with a white coating, sometimes there is a urge to vomit.

Complications

If you leave catarrhal gastropathy unattended, then soon the manifestations of the disease will intensify, and the inflammation will cover the entire surface of the mucous membrane and penetrate deep into the tissues. This situation threatens mucosal atrophy, the appearance of erosive foci and tissue ulceration.

With the development of pangastritis, inflammatory processes will pass into the duodenum and acute duodenitis will occur. If you refuse treatment in this case, then the pathology will capture the entire digestive tract. Numerous ulcers will appear, internal bleeding will occur.

Diagnostics

If there are signs of catarrhal gastropathy, you should contact a medical institution to see a gastroenterologist. First, the doctor conducts a survey and examination of the patient, and then issues directions for the delivery of tests and instrumental diagnostics.

Laboratory research:

• general and biochemical blood test;
• general urine analysis;
• stool analysis to search for occult blood.

Instrumental studies may include the following procedures:

• ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal cavity to assess the state of the digestive system;
• X-ray with contrast, on which erosion and ulcers are clearly visible;
• gastroenterography to exclude gastroduodenal reflux;
• pH meter, which allows you to assess the acidity of the stomach;
• breath test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori;
• endoscopy to assess the degree of changes in mucous membranes and clarify the localization of inflammation.

Superficial catarrhal gastritis: treatment methods

In order for the treatment to be effective, it is important to correctly diagnose and identify the cause of the development of the disease. Therapy for any type of gastritis includes two mandatory items - taking medication and adhering to a diet. As an addition to the main treatment, folk remedies and homeopathy are used. In some cases, physical therapy may be prescribed to the patient.

Drug treatment

Superficial catarrhal gastritis is treated with drugs from different groups. The doctor carries out the selection of medications on an individual basis, based on the clinical picture of the disease.

The following drugs may be included in the treatment regimen:

• Sumamed, Metronidazole, Hemomecin - antibacterial drugs to fight infection;
• Famotidine, Omez - histamine receptor blockers, help to restore the gastric mucosa by suppressing the production of hydrochloric acid;
• Phosphalugel, Almagel, De-nol, Alaton - antacids and bismuth preparations that neutralize the effect of hydrochloric acid;
• Pepsin, Enzistal - enzymatic agents that improve digestion at low acidity;
• No-shpa, Drotaverin - antispasmodics for pain relief.

Diet

Not a single disease of the digestive system is treated without diet. You should review your diet and exclude all foods that can irritate the mucous membranes of the stomach. These include any fatty foods, hot spices, marinades, pickles, smoked meats, sweet confectionery, carbonated water, alcohol.

During periods of exacerbation, you should eat in small portions five or six times a day. Eating food that is too hot or too cold is not recommended. It is better to grind solid food. Foods need to be boiled, stewed or steamed. It is not advisable to eat and drink at the same time, so the food will be digested better.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies can be taken to treat superficial catarrhal gastritis. They will help to cope with heartburn, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, indigestion, belching and urge to vomit. Homeopaths recommend the following drugs: Natrium Phosphoricum, Acidum Sulfuricum, Capsicum Annum, Antimonium Krudum.

Physiotherapy treatment

Microwave therapy and amplipulse therapy are useful in the treatment of gastropathy. The procedures eliminate inflammatory processes, relieve pain, have a bacteriostatic effect, stimulate cell regeneration, and normalize tissue trophism. In order to accelerate recovery, the patient may also be referred for electrophoresis or magnetotherapy.

Folk remedies

Natural medicines will eliminate the symptoms of superficial catarrhal gastritis as well as medicines. In this case, folk remedies can be used not only, but also necessary.

They should not replace the main therapy, it is better to combine all the means in complex treatment:

• Eggs or milk can help reduce acidity. One chicken or several quail eggs are broken into a glass and drunk half an hour before meals. Aloe juice can be added to eggs, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.
• Astringent properties such as flax seeds or oats are helpful. They are pre-brewed in boiling water, and then taken one tablespoon several times a day before meals.
• Potatoes have softening and enveloping properties. Juice is squeezed out of the tubers and drunk on an empty stomach, one third of a glass three times a day.
• The best remedy for superficial catarrhal gastritis is sea buckthorn. Use the fruits of the plant or oil from them. Three tablespoons of fruits are put in a thermos, boiled with boiling water (half a liter) and insisted. Drink like tea. A spoonful of honey is added to the drink for sweetness. Oil is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, one teaspoon at a time.

The secretion of gastric juice can be regulated with honey. If a beekeeping product is eaten immediately before a meal, then the amount of gastric juice will increase, and if two hours before a meal, it will decrease. Honey is very beneficial for inflammatory diseases. It is recommended to consume no more than one hundred and fifty grams of a sweet product per day.

Medicinal herbs are used to treat all types of gastritis. The most useful of them are chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort, coltsfoot, thyme, plantain.

Prophylaxis

Superficial catarrhal gastritis can be prevented by following simple rules:

• eat healthy food correctly and regularly;
• treat diseases of the digestive tract in time;
• give up alcohol, smoking;
• avoid nervous and emotional overload;
• lead a healthy lifestyle.