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Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause abdominal pain and bloating. Possible causes include bacteria and some autoimmune conditions.

Acute gastritis can come on suddenly, causing noticeable symptoms that may quickly resolve without treatment.

However, chronic gastritis is often asymptomatic. Chronic gastritis is a common problem and increases the risk of complications such as stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.

This article looks at the symptoms, causes, and treatments associated with gastritis and provides tips about what to eat and what to avoid to help ease the symptoms.

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One person with gastritis may have no noticeable symptoms, while another may have severe symptoms.

Typically, people report a sharp, stabbing, or burning pain in the upper center or upper left abdomen, which often radiates to the back.

Other common symptoms include bloating, a sense of fullness or heaviness, belching, and nausea. When gastritis causes vomiting, the vomit may be clear, yellow, or green.

Some symptoms of severe gastritis include:

A person needs urgent medical attention they experience the above in combination with any of the following as they may indicate complications such as stomach ulcer bleeding or perforation:

Learn more about gastritis symptoms here.

Gastritis can be chronic, developing slowly and lasting for a long time, or acute, developing and resolving quickly.

The condition can also be erosive or non-erosive. Erosive gastritis is severe and causes the stomach lining to wear down. It may come on suddenly or develop over time. Nonerosive gastritis, on the other hand, causes changes to the stomach lining rather than a gradual breakdown.

There are also subtypes. For example, acute stress gastritis is erosive, and it develops in response to changes due to critical illness.

Some potential causes of gastritis may include the following.

H. pylori bacteria

Gastritis is most commonly due to H. pylori bacteria. Around 35% of people in the U.S. have these bacteria in their bodies.

Irritating substances

Reactive gastritis, which is caused by irritants, is also relatively common. It affects around 15% of people in the U.S.

NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil) and some other common pain relief drugs can cause stomach irritation and gastritis. NSAIDs represent the most common cause of stomach ulcers.

Autoimmune conditions

Autoimmune conditions can lead to gastritis. In people with autoimmune atrophic gastritis, the immune system attacks the stomach lining.

Damage to the stomach

Physical trauma or damage to the stomach lining can also lead to gastritis. For example, a person who has undergone surgery to remove part of their stomach may develop postgastrectomy gastritis, which causes the lining to degenerate.

Other causes

Dietary factors do not usually cause gastritis, but food allergies can contribute to it.

Some types of gastritis that stem from other issues include:

  • Infectious gastritis not caused by H. pylori: Viruses and fungi can cause gastritis in people with immune conditions or other long-term illnesses.
  • Radiation gastritis: When the abdomen has radiation exposure, it can irritate the stomach lining.
  • Eosinophilic gastritis: This can result from an allergic reaction.
  • Ménétrier disease: This is rare. It involves the development of thick folds and cysts on the stomach wall.

Some people, including older adults and individuals with compromised immune function, are more likely to develop gastritis.

Some risk factors for gastritis include:

Other infections that can increase the risk of gastritis include tuberculosis and syphilis.

Chronic gastritis can increase the risk of other gastrointestinal conditions, including stomach ulcers or peptic ulcers and stomach bleeding.

Certain types of gastritis, including autoimmune atrophic gastritis and H. pylori gastritis, can reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron from the blood. Autoimmune atrophic gastritis can also affect vitamin B12 absorption, leading to anemia.

In addition, having H. pylori gastritis may slightly increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.

If a person presents with symptoms consistent with gastritis, a doctor may order an initial set of tests to better understand the patient’s gastrointestinal symptoms. These may include:

  • conducting a physical examination
  • taking the person’s medical history and noting their current symptoms
  • checking for the presence of H. pylori using blood, breath, or stool testing

While the results of these tests can indicate gastritis, they cannot confirm it. If a doctor suspects gastritis they will order an endoscopy and tissue biopsy. These are the only conclusive ways to diagnose the condition.

Although diet and nutrition do not typically cause gastritis, alcohol, food allergies, and some supplements can contribute to it. Dietary changes are not the main treatment for gastritis, except when it stems from celiac disease or food allergies.

However, eating fewer foods that can irritate the stomach—such as spicy, acidic, or fried foods—and smaller, more frequent meals may help manage gastritis.

The best approach depends on the condition’s cause and whether it is acute or chronic.

Treatment may involve a range of medications, including:

  • Antibiotics: A single course of antibiotics can often directly treat H. pylori. A doctor may prescribe clarithromycin (Biaxin) and metronidazole (Flagyl).
  • Proton pump inhibitors: PPIs like Omeprazole (Prilosec) or lansoprazole (Prevacid), for example, can block the production of acid and aid healing.
  • H2 blockers: These drugs, which include famotidine (Pepcid), can decrease acid production.
  • Antacids: These medications can neutralize stomach acid.
  • Coating agents: Sucralfate (Carafate) and misoprostol (Cytotec) can coat and protect the stomach lining.
  • Antinausea medications: These drugs can help manage nausea symptoms.

Combining the right medications with the recommended dietary changes is the surest way to help relieve gastritis.

Home remedies

In addition to making dietary changes and trying the above treatment options, some people may also benefit from natural remedies that they can try at home. This could include using supplements, certain teas, and stress management practices. However, scientific research on these remedies is often lacking and these should not replace prescribed treatments.

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, and infection with H. pylori bacteria is the most common cause.

If a person does not receive treatment, gastritis can lead to complications, such as stomach ulcers or vitamin deficiencies. Untreated gastritis may also increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Depending on the cause of the inflammation and whether it is acute or chronic, treatment may involve OTC or prescription medications, antibiotics, and dietary changes.