Gastritis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Gastritis (gas-tri-tis) is when the inside of your stomach is irritated. This illness may come on quickly or it may be a long-term problem. You may have abdominal (belly) pain or cramps or an upset stomach. It may be a "burning" pain that happens 1 to 5 hours after meals. Other signs may be fever, burping, stomach bloating, or chest pain. Your stomach may feel upset or you may have an acid taste in your mouth. You may vomit (throw up), feel weak, or have blood in your BM. Or, you may not want to eat.
  
  
• Often gastritis is caused by germs in your stomach which cause an infection (in-fek-shun). Certain medicines may also cause gastritis. It may be caused by too much stomach acid, drinking alcohol, or smoking. Eating too much or eating hot and spicy foods may be other causes of gastritis. Sometimes it is not known what is the problem. Gastritis usually goes away with diet changes and medicine. But, you may need to be in the hospital for tests and treatments if you have bleeding.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Keep a written list of what medicines you take and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines.
    
    
  • Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking it until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-ah-tiks), take them until they are all gone even if you feel better.
    
    
  • If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.
    
    
  • You may be given medicine to lessen the amount of acid in your stomach.
    
    
  • You may also take antibiotics (an-ti-bi-ah-tiks) to kill germs in your stomach.
    
    
  • Ask your caregiver before taking any medications.
    
    
  • Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen. They will make your gastritis worse. If you need a painkiller, use acetaminophen.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.
  
  
• Do not eat solid foods on the first day of the attack. Drink plenty of liquids, about 8 glasses a day. Avoid drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) and alcohol in them.
  
  
• Resume a normal diet slowly. Eat bland foods or those that you know agree with you. Eat only a little at a time.
  
  
• Resume normal activities when you feel better.
  
  
• To avoid another attack:
  
  
  • Eat and drink moderately. Do not skip meals.
    
    
  • Avoid hot and spicy foods or those that you find hard to digest.
    
    
  • Avoid drinks that have caffeine (tea, coffee, colas) or alcohol in them.
    
    
  • If you smoke, quit or cut down as much as possible.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have pain or vomiting.
  
  

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You vomit blood.
  
  
• You have blood in your BM or black BMs.
  
  
• You become too weak and dizzy to stand up.
  
  
• You have very bad pain.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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