Gastritis: Health and Risk Factors

Factors increasing the chance of developing gastritis.

Bacterial infection linked to gastritis.

Prolonged use can cause gastritis due to reduced prostaglandin production.

Anemia related to decreased intrinsic factor, needing B12 injections.

Reducing symptoms and preventing worsening through diet, medication, & lifestyle changes.

Mucosal prostaglandins, produced by the enzyme COX, help protect the stomach lining by decreasing acid, increasing bicarbonate and mucus, and maintaining blood flow.

Gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining, can be either erosive (with damage) or nonerosive (without visible damage).

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria is a common cause of nonerosive gastritis, both acute (sudden) and chronic (long-term).

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause erosive gastritis by inhibiting COX, reducing the protective prostaglandins.

Severe acute gastritis can arise from ingesting irritants like strong acids or alkalis. This can lead to tissue death (gangrene) or a hole in the stomach (perforation).

Dyspepsia, general abdominal discomfort, and indigestion are the most frequently reported symptoms of gastritis.

Acute gastritis can cause a rapid decrease in appetite and weight loss.

Gastritis may cause stools that test positive for occult blood. It can also lead to hematemesis (bloody vomit).

People with gastritis may experience intolerance to spicy and fatty foods, as these can irritate the stomach lining.

Gastritis can sometimes progress to gastric hemorrhage, a serious condition involving bleeding in the stomach.

Vomiting that resembles coffee grounds due to the presence of digested blood in the stomach.

C13 urea breath test is a non-invasive way to detect the presence of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach.

Anemia in females is defined as having hemoglobin levels less than 12 g/dL and red blood cell count less than 4.2 cells/mcL.

Anemia in males is defined as having hemoglobin levels less than 14 g/dL and red blood cell count less than 4.7 cells/mcL.

These tests are used to detect the presence of H. pylori antibodies or antigens in the blood or stool.

A procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to visualize the upper digestive tract. It allows for biopsies, polyp removal, and other treatments.

You must not eat or drink anything after midnight before the procedure. Ensure you have a ride home afterwards. You'll receive local throat anesthetic, but expect some soreness.

Because you'll receive a local anesthetic in your throat, it's not safe to drive after the procedure. You might also feel drowsy or disoriented.

Severe chest or abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal swelling.

Monitor for perforation symptoms, keep emergency contact numbers accessible, and report any troubling symptoms to your doctor right away.

To alleviate symptoms, help the client identify triggers, and prevent complications. This includes managing fluid balance, pain, and nutrition, as well as monitoring for signs of bleeding or anemia.

Monitor urine output and administer IV fluids as prescribed. This helps maintain hydration and prevent dehydration, which can worsen gastritis.

Diarrhea and vomiting can lead to electrolyte imbalances, especially potassium and sodium, which can cause dehydration.

Coffee-ground emesis, which is vomit that looks like coffee grounds, and black, tarry stools are classic signs of blood in the digestive system.

Anemia can be a complication of gastritis, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and even chest pain.

These medications decrease gastric acid output by blocking histamine2 receptors located in the stomach lining, effectively reducing acid production.

These are common examples of H2 receptor antagonists, each with a similar effect but varying in potency and duration.

Antacids should be administered at least 1 hour before or after H2 receptor antagonists. This is because antacids can interfere with the effectiveness of these medications.

Monitor for neutropenia (low white blood cell count) and hypotension (low blood pressure) with the use of H2 receptor antagonists.

When given intravenously, H2 receptor antagonists should be diluted and administered slowly to prevent potential side effects like bradycardia (slow heart rate) and hypotension.

Antacids increase gastric pH and neutralize pepsin, improving mucosal protection.

Aluminum hydroxide antacids can cause aluminum toxicity and constipation.

Magnesium hydroxide antacids can cause diarrhea or hypermagnesemia.

Antacids should be taken on an empty stomach, and you should wait 1 hour before taking other medications.

Antacids should not be given to patients with acute kidney injury or chronic kidney failure.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) work by stopping the hydrogen/potassium ATPase enzyme system in parietal cells, thus blocking acid production in the stomach.

Some common PPI medications include Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Rabeprazole sodium, Pantoprazole, and Esomeprazole.

When administering pantoprazole or lansoprazole intravenously, use a filter to prevent particulate matter from entering the bloodstream.

It can take up to 4 days to see the full effect of proton pump inhibitors.

When taking esomeprazole, allow 60 minutes before eating to ensure optimal absorption.

Misoprostol replaces natural prostaglandins in the stomach lining, protecting it from damage and reducing acid production.

Misoprostol can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea as a common side effect.

Misoprostol can cause miscarriage and should not be taken during pregnancy.

Misoprostol should be taken with food to reduce stomach irritation.

Misoprostol is often used with NSAIDs to prevent stomach damage caused by these medications.

Sucralfate forms a protective layer over the stomach lining, reducing acid damage.

Take Sucralfate 30 minutes before or after meals to avoid interactions with antacids.

Antibiotics are used to eliminate H. pylori, a bacterium that often causes gastritis.

Clarithromycin, Amoxicillin, Tetracycline, and Metronidazole are the most common antibiotics used for gastritis.

Clients should avoid smoking and alcohol, continue medication even if symptoms improve, and take medication on an empty stomach.

The most commonly used antibiotics for gastritis are Clarithromycin, Amoxicillin, Tetracycline, and Metronidazole. These antibiotics work to eliminate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium that is a common cause of gastritis.

Antibiotics are used to target and eliminate the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. They are essential for treating gastritis caused by this infection.

Completing the full course of antibiotics is crucial for eradicating the H. pylori infection effectively. Stopping early can lead to the infection returning and worsening the gastritis.

Nursing interventions focus on monitoring for potential side effects like abdominal pain and diarrhea. Electrolyte and hydration levels are also closely monitored, and medications should be administered with meals to minimize gastrointestinal upset.

Clients should be reminded to complete the prescribed dosage, notify their provider if persistent diarrhea occurs, and avoid alcohol and smoking. They should also be aware that antibiotics should be taken with meals.

Gastric bleeding is a serious complication of gastritis, where blood vessels in the stomach lining rupture, leading to blood loss.

Severe inflammation in acute gastritis can damage blood vessels. Chronic gastritis with erosion can also cause bleeding, sometimes leading to a hole in the stomach wall.

Coffee-ground emesis (vomit that looks like coffee grounds) and black, tarry stools are signs of blood in the digestive system.

Monitor vital signs, blood counts, and clotting factors. Assess for blood in the NG tube output. Look for coffee-ground emesis or black, tarry stools.

Replace fluids and blood products. Administer proton-pump inhibitors and H2-receptor antagonists.

A blockage in the passage from the stomach to the small intestine, often caused by severe inflammation extending into the stomach muscle.

Continuous vomiting in gastric outlet obstruction leads to a loss of chloride, causing metabolic alkalosis and severe fluid and electrolyte depletion.

Loss of fluids due to vomiting or diarrhea can cause dehydration.

Chronic gastritis can damage cells in the stomach lining, leading to reduced production of intrinsic factor, crucial for vitamin B12 absorption, resulting in pernicious anemia.

Patients with pernicious anemia need regular vitamin B12 injections to compensate for the insufficient absorption caused by the lack of intrinsic factor.

Severe acute gastritis with inflammation extending into the stomach muscle, blocking the passage from the stomach to the small intestine.