Sally Mae Larsen
Mr. Taylor
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Science 101
11 November, 2008
Gastritis
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Up to ten percent of people that come to a hospital emergency room suffer from gastritis.
Gastritis, a digestive system disorder, is an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach
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and has many causes. Someone experiencing gastritis has discomfort in the upper part of the
stomach. It is sometimes a brief and sudden illness, but can be a longer-lasting condition that may
indicate another medical problem. A person experiencing gastritis would certainly feel
uncomfortable, and, seeing a physician would help to remedy the problem.
The most common symptom of gastritis is pain that occurs in the left upper portion of
the abdomen and in the back. The piercing pain seems to travel from the belly to the back. It may
SYMPTOM
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be a burning, aching, or gnawing pain. It can be mildly uncomfortable, or it can be a cutting pain.
Other symptoms of gastritis include belching, which does not usually relieve the pain a great deal.
There may be nausea and vomiting. Depending how severe the inflammation is, the vomit may
contain blood. Also, the person may feel bloated which may also cause a shortness of breath.
Bowel movements may be dark and very foul smelling.
Gastritis may be affected by several different conditions that all cause inflammation of
CAUSE
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the stomach lining. Gastritis can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or infection with
bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori. Sometimes gastritis develops after major surgery, traumatic
injury, burns, or severe infections. Certain diseases, such as pernicious anemia, autoimmune
disorders, and chronic bile reflux, can cause gastritis as well.
Gastritis is diagnosed through one or more medical tests. One test is the upper
gastrointestinal endoscopy. The doctor eases an endoscope, a thin tube containing a tiny camera,
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through your mouth and down into your stomach to look at the stomach lining. The doctor will
check for inflammation and sometimes remove a tiny sample of tissue for tests. The doctor may
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also check your red blood cell count to see whether you have anemia, which means that you do
not have enough red blood cells. Anemia can be caused by bleeding from the stomach.
Sometimes, a stool test is required. This test checks for the presence of blood in your stool, a sign
of bleeding. A stool test may also be used to detect the presence of H. pylori in the digestive tract.
The treatment for gastritis usually involves taking drugs to reduce the stomach acid and
help relieve symptoms and promote healing. Stomach acid irritates the inflamed tissue in the
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stomach. Avoidance of certain foods, beverages, or medicines may also be recommended.
(National Digestive Disease Information Center). If the problem of gastritis is caused by an
TREATMENT
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infection, that problem may be treated as well. For example, the doctor might prescribe
antibiotics to clear up H. pylori infection. Once the underlying problem disappears the gastritis
does also. Patients are also advised to avoid foods, beverages or medications that cause
symptoms or irritate the lining of the stomach. If the gastritis is related to smoking, quitting is
recommended. (University of Virginia Health System)
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Gastritis is a serious disorder. "If gastritis is left untreated, it can be become very
uncomfortable and cause many problems for the person experiencing the pain. Untreated gastritis
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can even increase the risk of stomach cancer" (Windelspecht 78). Judging from the testimonies of
people experiencing gastric pain, gastritis cannot be ignored, either by the person experiencing
the pain, or the people around that person who can encourage her or him to seek help. Over the
counter anti-acid tablets can help to ease discomfort. Early treatment will definitely keep patient
from further problems that would be detrimental to their health.
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Works Cited
"Digestive System: Gastritis." MayoClinic.com. April 13, 2007. Mayo Foundation for Medical
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Education and Research (MFMER). 18 Nov 2008.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastritis/DS00488.
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"Gastritis." The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse . December 2004.
National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.. 18
Nov 2008 <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gastritis/>.
University of Virginia. 18 Nov 2008
<http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/UVAHealth/adult_digest/gastrts.cfm>.
Windelspecht, Michael. The Digestive System. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2004.
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