DO YOU HAVE GASTRITIS? KNOW A LITTLE MORE THAN THIS PERFORMANCE.
L.N. LUCIA PENICHE PENICHE
Who has not felt a little burning in the stomach after a considerable amount of fried foods? Who has not felt some pain after eating very irritating foods or even drinking alcohol?
One of the main symptoms mentioned in the consultation with the nutritionist is that of gastritis, which is a superficial erosion and inflammation of the gastric mucosa. It can be acute or chronic and affects up to 50% of adults in western countries.
Gastritis can cause a lot of pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and even bleeding.
This condition may be due to different causes and that depends on the treatment that is selected. If the cause of gastritis is due to an infection with the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria, it is important to go to the gastroenterologist to eradicate the infection as soon as possible.
Alcohol and tobacco damage the stomach lining and increase the production of acid which produces greater acidity and pain for patients. Acute gastritis caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) or alcohol can be relieved by stopping the use of these substances. If the aforementioned non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cannot be omitted, antacids and medications that protect the mucosa should be used.
Psychological stress also plays an important role in the onset of gastritis, especially when associated with traumatic events.
Inadequate dietary habits can be a factor that exacerbates this condition. For example, skipping breakfast produces hours of absence of food inside the stomach, which can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that increases acid and, due to the absence of food, is not neutralized.
In addition to avoiding prolonged fasting, adequate dietary treatment for patients with gastritis is to restrict:
• Irritants (such as mustard, black pepper, chili)
• Stimulants such as caffeine (found in drinks such as coffee, chocolate, soda and black tea)
• Foods or preparations high in fat
• Acidic drinks (tomato juice or citrus fruits)
• Alcohol.
Exercise plays an important role in reducing bleeding in patients with gastritis or duodenal ulcers. However, controlled clinical studies have not confirmed the ability of exercise to prevent or improve gastritis. In fact, some have shown that certain types of exercise (for example, running long distances) actually increase the risk of this condition.