Gastritis
Stomach lining inflammation causing pain, nausea, and indigestion.
TL;DR
Burning upper-abdominal pain and early fullness are the classic picture. Test for H. pylori and audit NSAID use — these two causes cover most cases and both have clear treatments. Diet changes and ginger help symptoms but do not address the root cause.
Overview
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, producing burning upper abdominal pain, fullness, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. The two dominant causes are H. pylori bacterial infection and regular NSAID use (ibuprofen, aspirin); alcohol, stress physiology, and autoimmune processes account for most of the rest.
Common Symptoms
- •Burning or gnawing upper abdominal pain
- •Early fullness when eating
- •Bloating and belching
- •Nausea, sometimes vomiting
- •Loss of appetite
- •Black stools if bleeding (urgent sign)
Common Causes
- •H. pylori infection (most common worldwide)
- •Regular NSAID or aspirin use
- •Alcohol
- •Autoimmune gastritis (also causes B12 deficiency)
- •Severe physiological stress (illness, burns, surgery)
- •Bile reflux
Root Causes
The stomach lining normally protects itself with a mucus-bicarbonate barrier maintained by prostaglandins. NSAIDs strip that protection, H. pylori burrows into it and drives chronic inflammation, and alcohol directly irritates the surface. Healing follows removing the insult; the lining regenerates quickly once protected.
How It's Diagnosed
Diagnostic Markers
- H. pylori: urea breath test or stool antigen (most useful)
- Endoscopy with biopsy: definitive diagnosis
- CBC: checks for anemia from chronic bleeding
- Serum B12 and gastrin: if autoimmune gastritis suspected
When to See a Doctor
Black tarry stools, vomiting blood, unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or severe persistent pain need prompt evaluation — these can signal ulcer, bleeding, or malignancy. New persistent dyspepsia after age 55 also warrants endoscopy.
Supplements Studied For This
Ginger
Helpful for symptoms and motility, but test for H. pylori first.
Marshmallow Root
Traditional use and a sound coating mechanism, but essentially no human trials in gastritis. Low risk to try, weak grounds to expect much.
Diet & Lifestyle
Suggested Pattern
No diet cures gastritis, but smaller, lower-acid, lower-fat meals reduce symptom flares while the lining heals. The core intervention is removing the cause — eradicating H. pylori or stopping the triggering drug.
Eat more
- Oats, rice, and gentle starches
- Bananas and melons (low-acid fruit)
- Lean proteins: fish, poultry, tofu
- Probiotic foods (may support H. pylori eradication)
- Ginger tea for nausea and motility
Avoid
- Alcohol (direct irritant)
- Coffee and strong caffeine
- Spicy and acidic foods during flares (citrus, tomato, vinegar)
- Fried and high-fat meals
- Large late-night meals
Supporting Research
Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials
The impact of probiotics on Helicobacter pylori eradication with bismuth quadruple therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia
The effect of Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Assessment of the use of vitamin C and E supplements concomitantly to antibiotic treatment against Helicobacter pylori: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who It Affects
H. pylori infects roughly half the world's population, though rates are lower in Western countries (20-30%). Most infections are silent; a subset cause gastritis, ulcers, or rarely cancer.
NSAID-related gastritis is commonest in older adults and regular painkiller users; H. pylori is usually acquired in childhood and persists untreated for decades.
Lifestyle Tips
- •Get tested for H. pylori before long-term self-treatment
- •Review NSAID use — even occasional ibuprofen matters
- •If NSAIDs are essential, ask about PPI cover
- •Stop alcohol while healing
- •Eat smaller meals; avoid eating within 3 hours of bed
My Notes
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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.