How To Cure Gastritis – Diagnosis And Treatment

Gastritis is a digestive disorder that can be caused by several factors. It is usually inflammation or erosion in the stomach lining. It creates irritation or an itchy feeling that is not tolerable by anyone. It is of two types; acute and chronic. Acute occurs suddenly while chronic occurs gradually. 

One example of gastritis is a bacterial infection that does not cause any symptoms. But in some other people, it may result in nausea, vomiting, burning sensation, feeling full, and indigestion in the stomach.

What causes Gastritis? 

Many factors can lead to Gastritis. It may be due to the excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking, stress factor, chronic vomiting, any major surgery, serious illnesses, or the use of certain medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin. It can also be caused by some other factors that include;

• Helicobacter pylori: A bacteria that affects the mucous lining of the stomach. If the treatment is delayed, it can lead to ulcers or sometimes stomach cancer. 
• Bile Reflux: It is similar to acid reflux. That is the backflow of bile juice from the bile tract (a bridge that connects to the gall bladder and liver) into the stomach. 
• Gastritis can also occur due to infections caused by viruses and bacteria.

If this disease is left untreated, it can lead to blood loss or stomach cancer. 

Symptoms of Gastritis 

The symptoms may vary among people and some do not experience any symptoms. However, here are some of the common symptoms that most people suffer from;

• Nausea or recurrent stomach upset
• Vomiting
• Indigestion 
• Burning sensation in the stomach during meals or at night
• Frequent hiccups
• Loss of appetite

In rare cases, it can cause some symptoms that occur if the stomach lining is worn away. This leads to tissue damage and even cancer.

• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Bloody vomits
• Gastric bleeding (Black, tarry stools)
• Growth of ulcer or tumor cells may appear in the stomach. 

If the disorder is very severe with the signs of blood, then you should seek medical advice immediately.

How is it diagnosed?

If you experience continuous abdominal pain, then it is better to visit the doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will analyze your medical history thoroughly and will recommend proper medication or some other tests.  The common check include;

Endoscopy

An endoscope is a thin tube with a tiny camera. It is inserted through your mouth into your stomach to look at the reason for gastritis and how severe it has damaged the tissue? If there is any inflammation, then he will suggest a biopsy. In a biopsy, the inner tissue is removed and given the right medicines to get cured easily. 

Blood Test

He will also perform various blood tests to check the RBC count in the blood and identify the presence of any bacterial infections like pernicious anemia. 

Fecal blood test (stool test). This test is made to find the signs of gastritis and its severeness. 

8 Easy Ways to cure Gastritis

Gastritis can be cured easily by following some techniques like lifestyle changes, diet control, relaxation techniques, etc.

1. Follow an anti-inflammatory diet

The first symptom of Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. So to reduce that inflammation you should follow a diet that provides anti-inflammatory effects. Maintain a food chart and try to identify the foods that trigger your symptoms. So that it will be easy for you to avoid certain foods or reduce their intake. 

Foods that most commonly trigger inflammation are:

• Acidic foods
• Processed foods
• Dairy products
• Gluten
• Spicy foods
• Sugary foods
• Alcohol

These are some examples, you can try to avoid or replace such products with alternatives. For instance, instead of consuming gluten products, add gluten-free products to your diet.

2. Take a garlic extract supplement

Some research suggests that consuming garlic extract or its supplement can readily cure the symptoms of gastritis. Eating raw garlic is more effective than its supplements. Crush few pods of garlic and consume it raw. 

If you don’t like the taste of raw garlic, then try it with peanut butter. Chop the garlic, mix it with a spoonful of peanut butter or wrap it with a dried date and then have it. The sweetness of the dried dates and peanut butter will mask the garlic flavor.

3. Try probiotic supplements

Do you know what is Probiotics? It is a mixture of live microbes that promotes health benefits when consumed. It contains good bacteria that help improve digestion and regulate bowel movements. 

Through probiotic supplements, the good bacteria is introduced into a person’s digestive tract to stop the spread of Helicobacter pylori. 

Consuming foods that contain probiotics can also improve the symptoms of gastritis. A good example is a yogurt.

4. Drink green tea with Manuka honey

A study showed that taking black tea or green tea at least once a week could significantly reduce the predominance of Helicobacter pylori in the digestive tract.

Instead of adding sugars, use Manuka honey. It is very beneficial as it is loaded with antibacterial properties that help fight infection. Some people believe drinking warm water alone can aid digestion and soothe abdominal pain.

5. Use essential oils

In laboratory tests, researchers found that essential oils, such as lemon verbena and lemongrass can help increase resistance to H.pylori. Other oils like peppermint oil, clove, and ginger have a positive effect on the digestive system. 

But remember essential oils should not be taken in. It should always be diluted with a carrier oil when applied to the skin. Consult a doctor before using them, so that you can safely use them to relieve gastritis.

It is worth noting that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate essential oils or alternative medicine.

6. Eat lighter meals

Eating heavy meals can put stress on your digestive system and worsen gastritis. Instead, eat smaller meals frequently throughout the day. It can ease the digestive process and decrease the symptoms of gastritis.

7. Avoid smoking and excess usage of painkillers

Smoking can damage the inner lining of the stomach lining and increase the risk of developing stomach cancer. Taking too many OTC medications like ibuprofen or aspirin can damage the internal lining and make gastritis into trouble.

8. Reduce stress

Stress can make gastritis even more severe. So reducing the stress levels is very important to manage the condition from getting worse.

The techniques for Stress management include:

• Meditation
• Deep breathing exercises
• Yoga
• Massage

Natural Home Remedies To Cure Gastritis

Here are some proven herbal remedies to get rid of gastritis symptoms:

1. Ice Water

It is believed that cold water can calm down the burning sensation around the throat and chest area.

Ingredients

Ice water – 1 glass

Sugar – 2 tbsp

Method

Take a glass of ice water and add sugar to it. Stir well and drink it. Repeat the process whenever required. This is an instant remedy to ease abdominal pain. Coldwater stabilizes the body fluids. So, drink a glass of cold water and go for a small walk. This will slowly subside the acid rushing up to your throat.

2. Coconut Water

The tender green coconut water is the best remedy to cool your body. Make a habit of drinking coconut water every day. Keep sipping until your pain subsides. But make sure that coconut water is not tangy and can cause acid reflux. 

Coconut water is highly rich in fiber that helps aid digestion and prevents acidity from re-occurrence. Moreover, coconut water has cooling properties that help cool the lining of the stomach, which in turn calms down the burning sensation.

3. Baking Soda And Water

Baking soda acts as an antacid and reduces the acid levels in the stomach. Take a glass of water and add one teaspoon of baking soda to it. Stir it well until the soda dissolves. It should not be cloudy anymore. Drink it whenever needed.

4. Ginger 

We all know that Ginger is a very effective solution for all digestive disorders, as it is packed with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help in reducing the itchiness and irritation of the inner stomach lining. 

You can simply chew a thumb of ginger for immediate relief. If you don’t like the taste of ginger then prepare milk or warm water made of ginger and its relatives.

Ginger Milk: Wash a thumb of ginger with water. Take an equal proportion of milk and water in the ratio 1:5. Boil the milk along with ginger and then drink it hot or cold.

 Ginger Water: Another quick remedy is ginger warm water. Take a pinch of ginger powder, asafetida, and rock salt and mix it with a cup of warm water. Drinking it warm can bring you immediate relief from gastritis, acid reflux, etc.

5. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is the best treatment to cure heartburn, acid reflux, gastritis, and other digestive disorders. Drinking a cup of chamomile tea relaxes the intestinal walls and provides relief from sudden pain in the stomach. It also helps eliminate gas.

Ingredients

Dried chamomile flowers – 2 teaspoons

Water – 1 cup

Honey – 1 teaspoon (if needed)

Method

Take a pot and boil the water. Once it boils switch off the flame. Then add dried chamomile flowers into hot water and cover the pan with a lid. 

Leave it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. If you need a sweet taste, then add honey or sugar to it. Strain the tea and enjoy its taste!

As it does not cause any side effects, you can drink chamomile tea several times a day to improve gastritis. 

6. Potato juice

An excellent home remedy to get rid of gastritis is drinking pure potato juice, especially when fasting. Because during fasting, the stomach will produce more acid and is not diluted by food. This can lead to acid reflux. So drinking potato juice can prevent you from all such issues. 

It decreases acidity in the stomach, reduces pain, heartburn, acid reflux, and other gastritis symptoms. Potato juice is very effective with all forms of gastritis; acute, nervous, or chronic gastritis.

Ingredients

• Raw potatoes – 2 or 3
• Warm water. – 150 ml

Method

Peel and mash the potatoes. Place the mashed potatoes in a sieve on top of a bowl and add warm water. Drink the juice half an hour before your meal. You can have it twice a day. 

Another method of preparing potato juice is by blending all the ingredients. Then strain the mixture and have it. You can also use melon juice instead of warm water to improve its taste.

7. Espinheira-santa Tea (maytenus ilicifolia) 

The next home remedy for gastritis is Espinheira-Santa tea. The botanical name of this plant is Maytenus ilicifolia. Its origin was the Amazon Rainforest. It has a great composition of polysaccharides such as arabinogalactan and tannins such as epigallocatechin. Both help reduce stomach acidity and protects your stomach from its acid.

Some studies have shown that gastritis can be cured by Maytenus ilicifolia tea, as it has a similar effect to cimetidine. Cimetidine is a medication used to reduce the production of stomach acid in people with gastritis.

Ingredients

• Dried Espinheira-santa leaves – 1 teaspoon
• Hot water – 1 cup

Method

Take a vessel, add water, and allow it to boil. Once it boils, add the dried leaves of Espinheira-santa to the boiling water. Switch off the flame and the pot with a lid. Give some time for the mixture to sit. Then strain and drink it warm. It is advised that you should take this tea 30 minutes before meals, or while fasting.

It is not advised to use by pregnant or lactating women. Because it has the potential to reduce the production of breast milk or can cause an abortion. It should also be avoided by children under the age of 12.

8. Banana and pear juice

Banana and pear alone have various medicinal benefits. But combining both of them into a juice contributes an excellent natural treatment for the digestive system. This combination holds important fibers that are needed for digestion, as well as pectin that helps to initiate bowel movements in the body.

These two fruits can also reduce the amount of gastric acid that comes out in contact with the walls of the stomach. Thus, helps in reducing inflammation and gastritis symptoms.

Ingredients

• Banana – 1
• Pear – 1
• Water – 1 cup
• Ice (optional)

Method

Peel the skin of banana and pear and cut them into pieces. Put the fruit pieces into a blender along with the remaining ingredients. Blend well until you obtain a fine mixture.

9. Brazilian pepper Tea (Aroeira tea)

Brazilian pepper tree is scientifically known as Schinus terebinthifolius. As the name denotes, it is native to Brazil. This pepper tree is loaded with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-acidic, and depurative properties that help fight gastritis, stomach ulcers, and other digestive disorders. They effectively decrease stomach acidity and fight Helicobacter pylori.​

Some studies suggested that Aroeira tea is as effective as Omeprazole, a medicine used to treat certain stomach disorders.

Ingredients

• Brazilian Pepper tree bark – 3 to 4 small pieces 
• Water – 1L

Method

Add the ingredients to a saucepan and boil it for about 10 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool down, strain, and then drink it. You can have three tablespoons of this Brazilian pepper bark tea every day.

Note: This tea is good for gastritis, but if diarrhea appears stop using it immediately. It is also not recommended for pregnant women.

10. Chard tea

Chard tea is very good therapy for gastritis. It has dense nutrients such as vitamins A, C, K, and potassium, magnesium, and iron. These nutrients boost natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to cure digestive diseases. They typically help in reducing the symptoms of gastritis and also eliminate toxins from the blood.

Ingredients

• Chard leaves – 50 g (1.8 oz) 
• Water – 1L

Method

The preparation of herbal tea is more or less the same for all herbs. 

Just add the ingredients to a saucepan and boil it at a simmer for up to 10 minutes. Then leave it to cool or drink it hot. Consume it three times a day for a better result.

Note: Chard tea should not be used by people who are in anticoagulant treatment or those who have kidney stones. 

11. Cabbage juice

Cabbage juice is a natural tonic for the digestive system. It contains natural compounds, such as glucosinolates and kaempferol that help protect the stomach lining and even fight against H. Pylori infection. Papaya and melon are also included in this juice. These fruits are rich in natural enzymes that help in the digestion process.

Ingredients

• Cabbage leaves with stalk – 6
• Papaya – 1/2
• Melon (in cubes) – 2 cups
• Water – 2 cups

Preparation

Cut the cabbage leaves into big pieces and blend all the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture. This juice is very healthy and can be drunk three to four times a day.

Prevention

We can’t forget the proverb, “Prevention is better than cure”. We could have studied it in our school days, but this proverb travels throughout our life. 

Before getting into a worse condition, we should try some preventive measures to get rid of the disease. Likewise, for gastritis, there are some steps to follow if you want to avoid bothersome symptoms. They are;

Steps to prevent gastritis:

• Drinking plenty of water a day
• Eating small quantity meals often
• Avoid smoking
• Try to reduce stress
• Quit alcohol consumption
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid overuse of OTC medications
• Avoid foods that trigger gastritis ( for instance, spicy seasonings, deep-fried foods, processed foods, etc)
• Stay away from acidic foods like orange, lemon, pineapple, etc.

Home remedies will surely help manage gastritis. However, if symptoms did not get out of you for over three days, then it is essential to consult your doctor and start the treatment.

When To See A Doctor?

Gastritis people should see a doctor if the symptoms like burning sensation, blood in the vomit, or stool occur for more than a week. The doctor will examine you thoroughly and may decide to carry out certain tests or medications.

The most common medications given for gastritis include:

• Histamine 2 (H2) blockers: It decreases acid production. 
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It also reduces acid production in the stomach.
• Antibiotics are used to treat the infections caused by H. Pylori. 

Takeaway

If you’re caught up with Gastritis, then the first way is to stay cool and relaxed. Don’t get tensed or worried about it. This can even trigger the symptoms. So changing your lifestyle, food diet, and regular exercise will help you a lot. Side by side, take some home remedies to get rid of gastritis symptoms.

If anything did not work with gastritis symptoms, then seek medical help as soon as possible. Take care of your health and stay safe!!