Gastric: Causes, Management & Prevention

Gastric, also known as gastritis, is a medical condition where the stomach membrane layer gets disturbed and leads to the secretion of acids. When the acids come in contact with the stomach walls, it causes pain and discomfort in the stomach region. It is an inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach. It is also one of the most common problems which usually occurs after the age of 40.

Many reasons can be the causes of the gastric problem, such as:

• A regular empty stomach for a long time
• Excessive intake of unhealthy or spicy food or alcohol
• Stress, tension and anxiety
• Habit of not chewing food properly
• Internal infections by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria
• Bile reflux - a backflow of bile into the stomach from the bile tract
• Acidity, indigestion, and stomach bloating
• Heartburn, food poisoning, and constipation
• Kidney stones, tumours, pancreatitis, and peptic ulcers
• Gastroenteritis
• Lactose intolerance
• Diabetes
• Irritable bowel syndrome

Some of the symptoms of gastritis are:

• Nausea or recurrent upset stomach
• Abdominal bloating and pain
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Burning sensation in the stomach
• Loss of appetite

Here are a few simple tips on how you can manage and gradually solve your gastric issue:

• Drink plenty of water including warm water
• Include lemon juice in your diet
• Drink a glass of cold milk, buttermilk, and mint juice also helps
• Reduce stomach bloating by drinking a warm cup of fennel, chamomile, or ginger tea
• Eat healthy meals and include whole-grain foods, fruits and vegetables in your diet
• Avoid fried and junk foods as much as possible
• Aim to eat smaller meals every 3-4 hours throughout the day. This can help curb abdominal pain and gastric problems

Whether your gastric pain is diagnosed as non-ulcer dyspepsia or due to a more specific cause, making some simple lifestyle changes can lower your risk of experiencing gastric pain symptoms.

Here are some tips that you can try to prevent gastric pain:

1. 1Eat smaller but more frequent meals
   Having 5-6 smaller meals a day can help those who suffer from indigestion.
2. 2Eat on time and avoid skipping meals
   This will make your stomach feels accustomed to releasing its gastric juices only during mealtimes and not erratically.
3. 3Consume less unhealthy, spicy and irritating food
   Cutting down on spicy, acidic, fried or fatty foods helps reduce gastric symptoms and allows your stomach to heal.
4. 4Drink alcohol in moderation
   Excessive amounts of alcohol may weaken your stomach’s protective lining, making you more susceptible to ulcers.
5. 5Quit smoking
   Smoking can increase the production of stomach acid, slows down healing and increases your risk of getting stomach cancer.
6. 6Manage your stress
   High stress can increase the production of gastric juices in your stomach. Exercise regularly and adopt relaxation activities such as yoga to keep your stress in check.

There are various treatments and over-the-counter medicine for gastritis. The length of time your gastritis will last once you begin treatment depends on type, cause and severity. Most of the time, gastritis will improve quickly after treatment has begun. Talk to your doctor for their opinion and if your gastritis symptoms are severe or last more than a week.