Workaholic Disease: What You Need To Know About Gastritis - From Causes To Treatment

Gastritis is one of the most common diseases among residents of megacities. It is rightfully called the disease of workaholics, because among the main reasons for its occurrence are an irregular meal schedule, regular stress and poor nutrition. Together with Anna Borisova, a gastroenterologist at the Austrian VerbMayr Health Center, we figured out how to identify the first signs of gastritis and how to treat it.

Gastritis has long become an integral part of life in a big city. This disease, which is accompanied by inflammation of the gastric mucosa and impaired digestive function, affects people of all ages, so caution and consideration will not hurt each of us.

Main symptoms

This condition can develop both acutely and chronically with periodic exacerbations, so it is especially important to monitor the first symptoms of the disease if you have a predisposition or suspicion of gastritis. In this case, the symptoms can be very diverse: from pain and indigestion to asthenia and dizziness. There are many symptoms that can signal the development of gastritis: a feeling of heaviness, fullness, burning sensation, pain in the stomach, loss of appetite, belching and heartburn, nausea, vomiting, an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth, plaque on the tongue, increased salivation or dry mouth.

But experts often note non-standard symptoms, that is, not associated with problems of the gastrointestinal tract. These may include weakness, dizziness, heart palpitations, excessive gas formation, deterioration of the skin, rise in body temperature, and sleep disturbance. It is important to remember that pain can begin in the projection of the stomach, contributing to inflammation of the mucous membrane, but gastritis may not be the cause at all. Pain in the above area can actually indicate a variety of problems: from pathology of the gallbladder to cardiovascular disease (see also: "What to eat for vascular health").

Causes of gastritis

To date, a large number of factors have been identified that most often lead to the onset of gastritis or its exacerbation:

Violation of the quality of nutrition: the predominance in the diet of spicy, fatty, refined food, alcohol, with a deficiency of dietary fiber.
Lack of a complete diet.
Frequent use of drugs, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiviral and antiparasitic drugs, as well as antibiotics, hormonal drugs (including oral contraceptives), many vitamins and antioxidants, dietary supplements without medical supervision.
Smoking.
Regular stress.
Excessive physical and emotional stress.
Allergic reactions, many of which can be latent.
Metabolic disorders, including type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc.
Accession of the pathology of the gastric mucosa with existing autoimmune diseases.
Pathology of the biliary tract.

What if I have symptoms?

To clarify the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a general diagnosis of the condition of the gastric mucosa, taking into account the general state of your health. The most accurate methods for diagnosing the stomach are gastroscopy, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, as well as the study of a general blood test and biochemical parameters. If necessary, your doctor can expand the list of tests required to make a diagnosis.

How to act if I have been diagnosed with gastritis?

First of all, you need to completely revise your diet. Experts actively recommend not to eat foods that cause active production of gastric juice and complicate digestion. Simply put, you should avoid fried, smoked, alcohol, raw fruits, berries and vegetables, fatty fish and meat, mayonnaise, products that increase gas production (legumes, corn grits). It is worth deleting spinach, radish, sorrel, radish, garlic, green onions, mushrooms and eggplant from your diet. Yes, the list of restrictions is very wide, but it is important to understand that only a strict diet will help ease the symptoms of gastritis and help fight it (see also: "How to create a healthy (and inexpensive) diet for the whole family").

As for the diet for gastritis, three main meals and several snacks per day are recommended in compliance with the daily regimen - without overeating and drinking food. The portions should not be bulky. Try to chew food slowly, thoroughly and not be distracted by gadgets, TV, conversations - because of them there is a risk of missing the moment of satiety.

What can you eat with gastritis?

Eat cooked vegetables, lean meats and fish without sauces, and cooked cottage cheese. The use of butter and vegetable oils in dishes is allowed (up to 20 grams per day). Fruits can only be eaten after preliminary heat treatment: baked apples or pears are a tasty and healthy alternative to sweets in your diet. It is also better to give up the use of the usual dairy products, but if you cannot do this, then their fat content should be reduced by 1.5%.

PS:

Remember that gastritis is not a death sentence! If you follow all the prescriptions of your doctor and the correct diet, you can forget about it once and for all.