Reflux gastritis and its treatment

Reflux gastritis is a pathological process that develops due to the casting of the contents of the duodenum, which contains bile, into the stomach cavity. This type of gastritis is less common than all other chronic forms, but is accompanied by more severe symptoms.

Bile is normal should not enter the stomach. If this does happen, then, it affects the gastric mucosa for a long time, causing damage to it, which leads to inflammation, a chronic gastritis. Reverse casting of the contents is possible because of the weakness of the gatekeeper (a special muscular formation that ensures a gradual intake of stomach contents into the intestine). In addition, reflux gastritis can be caused by chronic duodenitis or increased pressure in the 12-типерстной gut. Most often this form of gastritis occurs after operations on the stomach, as well as after prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Reflux gastritis is characterized by the following main symptoms:

- a feeling of heaviness or overflow of the stomach immediately after eating,

- an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth,

- belching bitterness,

- nausea.

This pathology is characterized by diarrhea, which alternate with constipation, as well as bloating. It should be noted that biliary reflux-gastritis, as a rule, is not accompanied by pain syndrome. If pain also occurs, it is usually dull and aching, intensifying immediately after ingestion. Changes in this disease disrupt the process of digesting nutrients from food, which causes the occurrence of possible significant weight loss, anemia, dry skin and general weakness.

The diagnosis of chronic reflux gastritis can not be made solely on the basis of symptoms. A thorough examination is necessary:

- general and biochemical blood tests,

- Fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS),

- ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity organs.

You may need a biopsy of the stomach mucosa or fluoroscopy of the duodenum and stomach. A full examination will help not to miss another pathology of the abdominal organs.

Treatment of reflux gastritis should be carried out in a complex way and be aimed at normalizing the functioning of the intestine, as well as restoring the normal binding of bile acids. Since bile acids cause damage to the gastric mucosa only in the presence of hydrochloric acid, the patient may be prescribed proton pump inhibitors (these drugs reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid). In order to prevent the reverse reflux (reflux) into the stomach, prokinetics are prescribed (they normalize the motor skills). In the treatment of this pathology, ursodeoxycholic acid is also used to neutralize bile acids. Preparations containing lactulose, promote the normalization of intestinal microflora.

Nutrition with reflux gastritis takes an important place in complex therapy. The main principles of nutrition in this disease include fractional and frequent meals in small quantities. It is necessary to exclude from the diet products that injure the gastric mucosa, as well as honey, sugar, jam, very hot or cold dishes, various sweet porridges. You can not drink in the process of eating (you can only after 20 minutes). In addition, it is necessary to completely abandon fish, meat and vegetable broths, fatty meat and fish, smoked products, pickles and marinades, canned food, sausages, black bread, buns, unsweetened fruits and vegetables, alcoholic beverages and chocolate.

Also, the necessary treatment point for reflux gastritis is the treatment of concomitant diseases of the digestive tract and other organs.