Types of Gastritis
Gastritis is a condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach (stomach wall) becomes inflamed. The symptoms of gastritis can vary but may include abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, bloating, indigestion, loss of appetite, and black or tarry stools.
There are different ways that gastritis is described and several types of gastritis with unique characteristics.
Acute versus chronic: Gastritis can be acute or chronic.
- Acute gastritis means it develops suddenly and is temporary.
- Chronic gastritis means it is a long-term condition and usually develops and progresses over time. Chronic gastritis may lead to complications, such as stomach ulcers, bleeding, or cancer, if not managed.
Erosive versus non-erosive: Gastritis can be erosive or non-erosive.
- Erosive gastritis means the inflammation of the stomach lining has worn away the stomach lining and caused a shallow break in the stomach lining (an erosion) or a deeper break (an ulcer).
- Nonerosive gastritis means the inflammation may cause irritation or thinning of the stomach lining but has not led to a break in the lining or an ulcer.
Types of gastritis: There are several types of gastritis, each with its own causes and unique characteristics. Recommended treatment may differ based on the type of gastritis. Types of gastritis include:
- H. pylori gastritis: This is an infectious gastritis. It is one of the most common types of gastritis. It is caused by an infection with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This type of gastritis is chronic, meaning it develops slowly and lasts a long time. H. pylori gastritis can increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers and even stomach cancer if left untreated.
- Autoimmune gastritis: Autoimmune gastritis develops when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the cells of the stomach lining. This type of gastritis is chronic. It causes a loss of stomach acid and may affect absorption of nutrients like vitamin B12.
- Alcoholic gastritis: This gastritis is caused by drinking alcohol. Alcoholic gastritis can be acute or chronic.
- Drug-induced gastritis: This type of gastritis is caused by irritation and injury from medications. Examples of medications that may cause gastritis include nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen, iron supplements, and certain antibiotics such as doxycycline. Drug-induced gastritis can be acute or chronic.
- Eosinophilic gastritis: Eosinophilic gastritis is a rare type of chronic gastritis. It is caused by the build-up of too many eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in the stomach. The eosinophils cause inflammation in the stomach lining.
- Chemical gastritis: This occurs when the stomach lining is exposed to irritating substances over a long period of time. In addition to NSAIDs and alcohol, chemical gastritis can be caused by excess bile from bile reflux disease, or by the effect of chemotherapy. It is a often a chronic condition and can cause erosions or shallow breaks in the stomach lining.
- Stress-induced gastritis: This may also be called stress ulcers or stress-related erosive syndrome. Stress may result in release of hormones that increase stomach acid, decreased production of mucus that protects the stomach lining, and decreased blood flow. These factors increase the risk of inflammation of the stomach lining and potential erosion (ulcers).
It's important to note that these descriptions are general and may not apply to every individual case. If you have concerns about your symptoms or think you may have gastritis, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options tailored to your specific needs.