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Interestingly enough, numerous individuals encounter indigestion without any specific reason at random points in time when going about their day. Prolonged acidity can destroy the lining of the stomach, which should be motivation enough not to take it lightly and make efforts to overcome this issue. Moreover, gastritis is a serious and widespread issue that creates problems related to the gut.
Likewise, research has indicated that gastritis disease hits a good number of people in society. Therefore, doctors encounter patients with stomach discomfort and constant pain daily without exceptions.
1. What is Gastritis?
The stomach is mostly made of a gastric lining, one of the mucosal components. In the case of gastritis, this mucosa gets inflamed, leading to stomach ulcers or stinging feelings. Subsequently, all hell breaks loose in the body with acute pains, bloating, and burning in the lower abdomen. It may happen for many indiscernible reasons. This subject will further be discussed below, along with the issues of microbial infections and nutritional or lifestyle-related factors.
Gastritis is of two types:- for the first one, Acute Gastritis comes and goes for a short period, and a visit to the doctor may not be required if there is no emergent discomfort. In contrast to the first one, chronic gastritis stays for a longer period, and doctors may be necessary to prescribe treatment.
Taking advice and following instructions given by a physician is extremely important in cases of chronic gastritis because it might eventually lead to fatal symptoms, namely, bleeding in the stomach, stomach ulcer, and even squamous cell cancer.
2. Causes of Gastritis
Multiple factors could lead to gut infection and more new injuries. Some of them are:
- Excess consumption of alcohol irritates the stomach in the later stages.
- Anemia and deficiencies in other vital nutrients.
- If triggered, bacterial infections are caused by Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria present in the stomach.
- Crohn’s, inconsistent bowel movement. It impedes the digestive functions in the body.
- Acid reflux which further leads to irritation and nausea.
- Stress is the devil and the root of all adversities on the overall health, especially the digestive system.
- NSAIDs should be used in an orderly; if not, they could cause long-term damage to the stomach lining.
3. Symptoms
Usually, people with acute gastritis don’t have symptoms. But, people who have chronic gastritis might experience the following signs:-
- Burning in the upper chest
- Nausea
- Bloating in the lower abdomen
- Constant burping due to regurgitation
- Bad breath from the mouth because of acid reflux
- Due to bacteria affecting the stomach, people often don’t eat healthy food, which weakens the immune system.
4. Food Items to Keep Gastritis Under Control
Various factors can cause gastritis, such as overuse of alcohol, smoking, bacterial infections, and other lifestyle factors.
A study explains that eating habits such as eating at irregular intervals, eating too much or very little, and consuming unhealthy foods often increase the risk of developing gastritis. As a result, it is important to have an efficient diet to manage the adverse effects of the disease properly.
4.1. Foods to Avoid
4.1.1. Acidic Fruits
Acidic fruits with a very low pH level increase the production of acid, which inevitably damages the intestinal lining and creates irritation in the stomach.
These fruits should be avoided by people who have gastritis and other gastro-related issues because they lead to burning and discomfort in the body. Such fruits are mainly natural citrus, like oranges, limes, kiwis, and berries.
4.1.2. Fatty Foods
Foods such as burgers, fries, noodles, and many others might have you deceived with their relish taste and appeal but leave you with harmful effects on health, such as high cholesterol levels, diabetes, weight, and other heart-related issues.
Moreover, these saturated foods hamper the stomach lining, causing extreme inflammation and disrupting the digestive system.
4.1.3. Coffee
People suffering from gastritis are advised to avoid coffee from their diet because of the obvious reason: the harmful effects of caffeine. Caffeine increases the acid levels in the stomach and even heightens the symptoms.
Even other caffeinated drinks that have recently been introduced and become trendy for being healthy can still be harmful if consumed carelessly.
4.1.4. Gluten Foods
Foods rich in gluten are very harmful to the human body. They can trigger various digestive issues, especially in the stomach, causing chronic gastritis.
In addition, dairy products like cheese, cottage cheese, milk, and other snacks available in the market should also be avoided or taken in relatively low quantities. Most of the packaged snacks available in the market also contain gluten, which has diverse effects on the digestive system.
4.1.5. Alcohol
Alcoholic gastritis is often caused in people who have excessive consumption of alcohol over a stagnant period.
Due to this habit, the condition gets out of control and has a deteriorating effect on the stomach lining. The whole stomach gets squeezed, making digestion difficult at an unimaginable level.
4.1.6. Spices
Various spices, such as black pepper, nutmeg, chili pepper, and spicy sauces, should be completely avoided to prevent stomach and gut health problems.
These spices cause burning and discomfort, which prevents digestion from taking place properly in the body.
4.2. Foods to Eat
4.2.1 Alkaline Fruits
Alkaline fruits, including avocado, banana, and pear, should be consumed in moderation to ensure a normal stomach pH level and reverse the flow of acid back, which travels in the opposite direction to the esophagus during reflux.
4.2.2. Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in fiber and minerals, which are necessary for the body to get enough nutrition and keep it in good shape.
Zucchini, cabbage, carrot, and kale are some vegetables that should be consumed diligently. They are not hard to digest and thus won’t create extreme pressure on the stomach.
4.2.3. Yoghurt
Yogurt is considered a great probiotic as it suppresses further growth of the bacteria that may get involved as a cause of gastritis.
Thus, it improves the gut’s health and keeps it in good condition for a long time.
4.2.4. Low-Fat Fish
Fish such as salmon, tuna, and trout should be consumed preferably, as they contain high amounts of significant protein and minimize the chances of various gastric inflammations.
Even capsules of fish oil that have a very high unsaturated fatty acid blend help the body. They will do their part in providing energy to the human body and boosting metabolism.
4.2.5. Nuts and Seeds
Almonds, cashews, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds are rich sources of healthy fats and fiber.
These nuts are recommended for every weight-loss journey nowadays. They are also good for sound digestive health. Further, including these seeds in the diet reduces stomach aches.
4.2.6. Others
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of various herbs like turmeric, ginger, and peppermint are quite efficacious in curing stomach inflammation and have been found to heal various digestive diseases such as IBD, acid reflux, and gastritis.
5. Takeaway
The most untroubled and best way to control gastritis is by making little-by-little alterations in the everyday diet. Foods that contain highly fibrous components and healthy fats should be embraced in the diet on a priority basis. This helps to maintain optimal gut health, which is good for smooth digestion.
Hence, gastritis can be treated and prevented without any hassle if you follow the treatment in a timely and meticulous manner. Keep trying to incorporate a balanced diet into your daily regime, and you’ll be set.
Last Updated on by Annanya Chakraborty
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