What are the symptoms of gastritis? It’s a question that I am well placed to answer, having lived with the disease over the past few years. Gastritis is a common digestive condition that involves inflammation of the stomach lining.
It can develop suddenly or gradually, and its symptoms range from mild discomfort to severe pain and complications. Understanding gastritis symptoms is essential for early detection, proper diagnosis, and effective treatment.
In this post, we’ll explore the general symptoms of gastritis, as well as the signs associated with specific types like autoimmune gastritis, atrophic gastritis, erosive gastritis, and alcoholic gastritis. I will refer to my own case along the way.
What Is Gastritis?
Gastritis occurs when the protective mucus lining of the stomach becomes weakened or damaged, allowing stomach acid to irritate the tissue. This condition may result from various causes including infection (especially Helicobacter pylori), regular use of NSAIDs, excessive alcohol consumption, autoimmune disorders, or chronic stress.
Depending on the cause and severity, gastritis may be classified as acute or chronic. Acute gastritis develops quickly and may resolve within days, while chronic gastritis persists over time and can lead to complications like ulcers or anemia.
What are the Gastritis Signs and Symptoms?
The following are the most common signs and symptoms of gastritis;
- A burning or gnawing sensation in the upper abdomen. You may mistake this for chest pain. The pain happens just below the left breast. This is where the stomach is located.
- This pain may radiate to the upper back
- You may also feel pain in the neck area
- Nausea or queasiness, especially after eating.
- Vomiting, sometimes with blood or a coffee-ground appearance
- Bloating and a feeling of fullness after small meals
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Burping or hiccupping more than usual
- Black or tarry stools (a potential sign of internal bleeding)
The general symptoms of gastritis can overlap with those of other digestive conditions, but some signs are more characteristic.
The above symptoms may vary in intensity and frequency. Some people experience no symptoms at all, especially in cases of chronic gastritis, which can silently progress and lead to more serious health problems.
My experience
As noted in the introduction, I have been living with gastritis for years. Over 4 years to be precise. Yes, the disease can stay with you that long, unfortunately. But, what was my experience, as far as symptoms are concerned?
My first gastritis symptom was a little bit of pain in the left side of the chest, just below the breast area. I experienced it while driving to work. Fearing the pain was heart related, I immediately drove to a nearby hospital.
After a few checks, the doctor determined that I had high blood pressure. He immediately put me on medication. A gastritis diagnosis was not made at this point.
The pain soon went away for a few months. However, when it came back, it was worse that before. Now not only was it present in the chest area, but I also had it in the upper back and in the neck area.
I went to another doctor, and he did a lot of tests, include a Full Blood Count (FBC). I also had chest xrays taken. These revealed nothing untoward.
Meanwhile, the FBC showed some anomalies. The doctor stated that it looked like my body had a wound somewhere internally, based on the tests. He suggested that I had stomach ulcers or gastritis. A test for H-pylori also brought a positive result.
I resisted the gastritis of peptic ulcers diagnostic, thinking the pain location meant I was having either heart or lung issues. The doctor put me on anti-acid medication and on a course to eliminate the h-pylori bacteria. The pain soon went away after some time and I thought all is well.
However, it came back again after a few more months. This time, when I approached the doctor, he recommended that I get an endoscopy done.
That was done a few weeks later, at which point it became clear that I had severe inflammation in my upper stomach area. Since then, I have had to manage the disease. I have had my ups and downs, but in general, I have learnt to live with the disease.
Symptoms by gastritis type
There are different types of gastritis out there. The symptoms can be subtly different, depending on what you are facing;
Autoimmune Gastritis Symptoms
Autoimmune gastritis is a form of chronic gastritis where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the stomach’s parietal cells. These cells are responsible for producing stomach acid and intrinsic factor, which is essential for vitamin B12 absorption.
Symptoms of autoimmune gastritis often develop gradually and may be subtle at first. They include:
- Fatigue and weakness due to vitamin B12 deficiency
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
- Pale skin or shortness of breath
- Digestive discomfort such as bloating, gas, or indigestion
- A burning sensation in the stomach
Over time, autoimmune gastritis can lead to a condition known as autoimmune atrophic gastritis, which causes thinning of the stomach lining and increased risk of anemia and stomach cancer.
Atrophic Gastritis Symptoms
Atrophic gastritis is a long-term form of chronic gastritis that causes the stomach lining to lose its glandular cells. It is often a result of chronic H. pylori infection or autoimmune damage. Many individuals do not experience significant symptoms until the condition is advanced.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Dull stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
- Nausea or frequent upset stomach
- Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, such as fatigue and neurological issues
- Iron deficiency anemia, leading to paleness and weakness
Atrophic gastritis reduces the stomach’s ability to produce acid and absorb nutrients, making it essential to catch and manage early.
Alcoholic Gastritis Symptoms
Excessive alcohol intake can irritate and erode the stomach lining, leading to alcoholic gastritis. This form of gastritis may be acute or chronic, depending on the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed.
Symptoms may include:
- Sharp or burning pain in the upper abdomen, especially after drinking
- Nausea and vomiting, sometimes with blood
- Bloating or gas
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches or hangover-like symptoms not related to alcohol quantity
- Diarrhea or loose stools
In some cases, alcoholic gastritis can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a medical emergency.
Erosive Gastritis Symptoms
Erosive gastritis is a severe form that involves wearing away of the stomach lining, which can result in ulcers and bleeding. It may develop quickly due to stress, infections, medications, or alcohol.
Symptoms often appear suddenly and can be intense, including:
- Severe stomach pain
- Blood in vomit (which may look like coffee grounds)
- Black or tarry stools
- Fatigue and dizziness from blood loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- A feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen
Erosive gastritis requires immediate medical attention and often hospitalization in severe cases.
When to See a Doctor
Gastritis symptoms can mimic other gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, acid reflux, or even stomach cancer. If you are experiencing persistent digestive discomfort, unexplained fatigue, or signs of internal bleeding such as black stools or vomiting blood, you should seek medical evaluation promptly.
Early diagnosis can help prevent complications and guide appropriate treatment based on the underlying cause of your gastritis.
In my case, I fear I took too long to recognize my symptoms as being cause by gastritis. Had I started treatment earlier, I probably would have reduced my time of healing from years to months. As it is, the disease is something that I have to grapple with on a daily basis and from the look of things, the struggle will endure well into the future.
These symptoms may be caused by other diseases
Recognizing gastritis symptoms is key to managing your health and avoiding long-term digestive complications. Whether you’re dealing with common gastritis signs or specific forms like autoimmune, atrophic, alcoholic, or erosive gastritis, understanding the differences helps ensure proper treatment and monitoring.
A healthy lifestyle, stress management, and dietary changes can help prevent and control symptoms. Note these symptoms can indicate the presence of other diseases. As such, always consult a healthcare provider for a diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
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