Gastritis
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is it? 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. Usually it goes away with treatment.
Causes: 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. You may have germs in the stomach which are causing an infection (in-fek-shun). Certain medicines may also cause gastritis. Sometimes it is not known what is the problem.
Signs and Symptoms: 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.
Care: Gastritis usually goes away with diet changes and medicines. You may need to be in the hospital for tests and treatments if you have bleeding.
Do's and Don'ts: 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.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
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