Abstract: An acute and chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa is known as gastritis the inflammation is usually diffused with or without erosion of the mucosa.
Types of Gastritis:
- Acute gastritis
- Chronic gastritis
Introduction: H. pylori is common in all communities and probably spreads from person to person either through Oro-oral er faeco-oral route. Its prevalence is lower in developed countries than in developing countries where infection is acquired during childhood. Variations occur in relation to geographical areas and ethnic backgrounds.
Clinical Feature of Gastritis: Anorexia, Nausea vomiting, Abdominal pain and discomfort, Epigastric tenderness, Heartburn after eating, Belching, frequent hiccups, Dehydration, acid test in mouth, Iron deficiency anaemia (in severe cases).
Acute Gastritis is a sudden inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It can cause discomfort, pain, and digestive problems. While it’s often temporary and can resolve on its own, it can be quite unpleasant.
Symptoms of Acute Gastritis:
- Abdominal pain: This is often in the upper abdomen and may be described as a burning or gnawing sensation.
- Nausea and vomiting: These are common symptoms and may be accompanied by a loss of appetite.
- Indigestion: This can include heartburn, bloating, and belching. ● Dark or bloody stools: If the inflammation is severe, it can cause bleeding, leading to dark or bloody stools.
Pathophysiology of Acute Gastritis:
The decrease in the prostaglandin synthesis causes injury to the gastric mucosa. It is safeguarded from the deleterious effects of the gastric acid by mechanisms promoted by the prostaglandins. In the majority of patients, the initial acute phase of gastritis is subclinical and is of short duration (about 7 to 10 days).
In the majority of cases Pylori is not eliminated and there will be gradual accumulation of chronic inflammatory cells over the next 3 or 4 weeks. the organisms are spontaneously cleared especially in childhood.
Epidemiology– The prevalence of this infection varies worldwide being as low as 10 per cent in developed western nations to higher than 80 per cent among the indigent populations of many developing countries. The prevalence of H. pylori in the Indian subcontinent can be as high as 80 per cent or more in rural areas. 1
Microscopic Pathology: Histological features observed includes:
Hyperaemia, Acute inflammation, Increased polymorphonuclear neutrophil in the superficial lamina propria, Erosion of the surface epithelium, Mucosal necrosis, Scarring (later sequelae).
Diagnosis: Is made on the basis of-Clinical features, Blood examination may reveal anaemia, Upper GIT endoscopy, Rapid urease test (for H. pylori), Gastric biopsy.
Differential Diagnosis: Peptic ulcer, Cholecystitis, Gastric carcinoma, Pancreatitis, Zollinger -Ellison syndrome, IBD, Coeliac disease.
Complication of Acute Gastritis:
The complications of acute gastritis can vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the inflammation. However, in most cases, acute gastritis is a temporary condition that resolves on its own without causing significant long-term problems.
Possible complications of acute gastritis include:
- Chronic Gastritis: In some cases, acute gastritis can progress to chronic gastritis, which is a persistent inflammation of the stomach lining. This can increase the risk of developing peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding: If the inflammation is severe, it can damage the blood vessels in the stomach lining, leading to bleeding. This can manifest as vomiting blood or passing black or tarry stools.
- Peptic Ulcers: Chronic gastritis can increase the risk of developing peptic ulcers, which are sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. These ulcers can cause pain, bleeding, and even perforation of the stomach wall.
- Increased Risk of Stomach Cancer: Long-term chronic gastritis, especially if caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.
General Management of Acute Gastritis: Eat nutritious diet, avoid oily spiced food, stop alcohol and smoking uptake, Avoid stress.
- Resting the stomach: Avoiding irritating foods and drinks, as well as medications that can irritate the stomach.
- Dietary changes: Eating bland foods and avoiding spicy or acidic foods can help soothe the stomach.
Homoeopathic Management: Homoeopathy is a holistic system of treatment the selection of medicine is based on individualisation and totality of symptoms by holistic approach. Remedies can be changed person to person according to their symptom’s totality and individuation. Homoeopathy medicine can easily cure gastritis. Homeopathy medicines heal your inner layer of the stomach and reduce the inflammatory cells of the stomach.
- Phosphorus
- Hunger soon after eating
- Sour taste and sour eructation after every meal.
- Vomiting; water is thrown up as soon as it gets warm in the stomach.
- Post-operative vomiting.
- Ipecacuanha
- Mouth, moist; much saliva.
- Constant nausea and vomiting, with a pale, twitching of face.
- Vomits food, bile, blood, mucus.
- Stomach feels relaxed, as if hanging down.
- Chelidonium Majus-
- Tongue yellow, with imprints of teeth; large and flabby.
2. It tastes bitter, pasty. - Pain through stomach to back and right shoulder-blade.
- Gastralgia.
- Chamomilla
- Eructation, foul.
- Nausea after coffee.
- Sweats after eating or drinking.
- Aversion to warm drinks.
- Bitter, bilious vomiting.
- Pressive gastralgia, as from a stone.
- Carbo Vegetabilis
- Eructation, heaviness, fullness, tense from flatulence, with pain; worse lying down.
- Burning in stomach, extending to the back and along the spine.
- Crampy pains forcing patients to bend double.
References –
- William Boericke Materia Medica
- HC ALLEN, Allens keynote
- Dr.S.N.Chugh, Practice of Medicine.
Article Written By
Dr. Bhaskar Tiwari
MD Scholar (Practice of medicine)
Government Homeopathic Medical College And Hospital Bhopal, MP
