Health Encyclopedia

Gastritis - acute

Definition

Acute gastritis is a sudden inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

Alternative Names

Acute gastritis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Acute gastritis may be caused by:

Certain medications
Alcohol
Eating or drinking corrosive substances
Extreme physiological stress
Infections

Acute gastritis is often associated with a severe, acute illness, or trauma. The following increase your risk of acute gastritis:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (NSAIDs)
Recent heavy alcohol use
Major surgery
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Respiratory failure

Symptoms

Dark stools
Hiccups
Indigestion
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Signs and tests

Tests that may be done to diagnose acute gastritis include:

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the gastritis. Antacids or other medications to decrease or neutralize gastric acid in the stomach will usually eliminate the symptoms and promote healing. Medications that cause gastritis should be discontinued. A gastric ulcer may be present, requiring treatment.

Gastritis due to stress is best treated by prevention. Medications to decrease gastric acid production such as proton pump inhibitors should be given to stressed hospital patients.

Expectations (prognosis)

Most gastritis improves rapidly with treatment.

Complications

A potential complication is a severe loss of blood.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of gastritis persist longer than 2 or 3 days. Call your health care provider if you vomit blood or have bloody stools.

Prevention

Control of risk factors may play a preventative role. For example, not using or minimizing use of NSAIDs and alcohol.

Review Date:5/3/2007
Reviewed By:Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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