Chronic non-atrophic gastritis: causes of development, symptoms and treatment methods

Inflammatory diseases of the stomach differ in the degree of organ damage, the severity of the manifestation of pathology, and the risk of complications. Some diseases are difficult to treat, but chronic non-atrophic gastritis can be completely cured if it is recognized and treated in time.

One should not dismiss the disease just because it is less dangerous than other forms of gastritis. In advanced cases, any stomach disease can lead to the development of serious complications.

general information

Non-atrophic chronic gastritis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomach. In the medical environment, it is also called superficial, since the pathological process affects only the upper layer of the walls of the organ. This form of gastritis is characterized by an increase in the acidity of gastric juice, but the secretory function does not suffer. The inflammatory disease proceeds without signs of atrophy, does not reduce local immunity.

Initially, inflammation occurs when Helicobacter pylori (

Helicobacter pylori), or as a result of the influence of other provoking factors. If the appropriate therapy is not carried out in time, then soon the disease takes on a chronic form with periodic exacerbations. With prolonged absence of treatment, the pathological process continues to develop, affecting deep tissues and gastric glands.

Causes

There are many causes of chronic non-atrophic gastritis. They can be exogenous or endogenous.

Exogenous provoking factors include:

• improper and irregular nutrition;
• alcohol abuse, smoking;
• stress, increased mental stress;
• uncontrolled intake of medications;
• infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori;
• exposure to radiation;
• parasitic, fungal infections.

The endogenous factors of the development of the disease are spoken of if it is provoked by other diseases and pathological conditions of the body:

• autoimmune disorders;
• genetic predisposition;
• disorders in the endocrine system;
• vitamin deficiencies;
• chronic diseases of the digestive tract.

The most common cause of the superficial form of gastritis is the vital activity of Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium enters the stomach if basic hygiene rules are not followed - from dirty hands, unwashed vegetables, fruits. You can become infected with a microorganism through the household route through dishes, towels, personal hygiene items, or through unprotected intercourse.

Unlike other bacteria, Helicobacter pylori exists well in the stomach, despite the aggressiveness of gastric juice. It releases a dangerous toxin, which becomes the cause of intoxication of the body and the manifestation of the corresponding painful symptoms.

Symptoms of the disease

Chronic non-atrophic gastritis is characterized by local symptoms or general ailments.

At the local level, the disease manifests itself:

• belching with a sour taste;
• nausea, sometimes vomiting;
• heartburn;
• increased gas formation;
• feeling of heaviness in the stomach after eating;
• regular constipation or diarrhea;
• bouts of pain in the projection of the stomach.

General symptoms of the disease are manifested as follows:

• increased irritability;
• surges in blood pressure, arrhythmia;
• drowsiness, weakness, fatigue;
• decreased appetite.

Such symptoms may indicate other types of gastritis, therefore, to make an accurate diagnosis, you should undergo an examination at a medical institution.

Forms

There are several forms of non-atrophic chronic gastritis:

• focal, when mainly cylindrical epithelial cells are affected and the inflammatory process is localized in a certain area;
• associated with Helicobacter pylori, in which epithelial cells lose their regenerative function;
• antrum, which is characterized by inflammation of the lower region of the organ at the junction with the duodenum.

Diagnostic methods

It is possible to accurately diagnose this form of the disease only after conducting laboratory and instrumental studies. The patient undergoes blood tests to determine its composition, the level of pepsin and feces in order to detect occult blood. To exclude a bacterial infection, appropriate tests are done.

The instrumental examination technique includes:

• fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS);
• Ultrasound of the abdomen;
• electrogastroenterography.

Chronic non-atrophic antral gastritis and methods of its treatment

In order to cure inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomach, it is necessary to approach the problem in a comprehensive manner. The doctor prescribes drug therapy without fail. He selects medicines from different groups to relieve acute symptoms, eliminate the cause of the development of non-atrophic chronic antral gastritis and normalize the stomach.

Simultaneously with taking medications, the patient revises the diet, excludes all unacceptable foods from it. Treatment with folk remedies can act as an adjunct to the main therapy.

Diet

Since the mucous membranes of the stomach are inflamed, food must be organized in a special way. It is recommended to eat in small portions, five or six times a day. Food should be warm and soft. Solid foods must first be grinded into gruel.

Dishes that can irritate the membranes of the organ should be excluded from the menu. These include hot spices, smoked meats, pickles, fatty and fried foods, raw vegetables and fruits. Preference should be given to lean meats, fish, poultry, boiled vegetables and broths made from them, cereals in water or milk, fermented milk products.

Medications

Anteral non-atrophic gastritis of the chronic form is treated with the following drugs:

• antibiotics if there is an infection;
• antispasmodics if pain is troubling;
• antacids, which reduce the effect of acid on the stomach wall;
• adsorbents that protect the inflamed tissue from the external effects of toxins.

Folk remedies

Herbal medicine is used as an auxiliary treatment for ailment. It is useful to prepare teas and infusions from plantain, calamus root, chamomile, yarrow, mint, oak bark. These plants can be brewed individually, or several herbs can be mixed. With gastritis, jelly, fruit and berry fruit drinks, milk with honey have a good supporting effect.

Prognosis and complications

In many cases, the disease can be completely cured. To do this, you should clearly follow all the doctor's recommendations, take the prescribed medications, according to the treatment regimen. The sooner you start to treat the stomach, the faster the recovery will come.

In the absence of proper therapy, chronic non-atrophic antral gastritis can turn into a more severe form of organ inflammation - atrophic. This pathology is dangerous, as it leads to the development of pangastritis and stomach cancer (carcinoma and adenocarcinoma).