Gastritis is a condition in which the lining of the stomach gets red and swollen
Some of the natural and home remedies for gastritis include:
Probiotics: Probiotics are good bacteria that may improve digestive health by killing harmful bacteria. It regularizes bowel movements and halts the progress of H. pylori bacteria that is the leading cause of this disease. Yogurt is a common probiotic food product.
Essential oils: Although there is no strong medical evidence, certain essential oils may aid in getting rid of gastritis. Oils such as lemon verbena and lemongrass oil reduce the impact of the H. pylori bacteria. Apart from this, oils such as ginger, peppermint, and clove help in improved digestion. These oils shouldn’t be ingested and must be used externally that too by diluting with the carrier oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, etc.
Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar reduces the additional acid production in the belly and reinstates stability. It may even kill the bacteria that are creating harm to the stomach lining. Adding a little bit of honey in vinegar may further soothe the injured stomach lining.
Garlic: Garlic is well-known for its antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It may help to manage gastritis by targeting H. pylori and reducing gas formation in the stomach.
Coconut water: Coconut water and milk are said to have antiseptic potentials that may aid in killing the bacteria. It may also help in strengthening the immune system and improving the healing process.
Broccoli: Broccoli is a beneficial vegetable; it is one of the best home remedies to manage gastritis because it is even used in daily food. It gives many indispensable nutrients, which can help in relieving gastritis symptoms.
Aloe vera: It has anti-inflammatory properties that may lessen and calm the stomach.
Papaya: Papaya has loads of antioxidants. It even has papain, an enzyme that helps the digestion of nutritional proteins and reduces the formation of gas in the stomach.
Anti-inflammatory diet: Consuming foods that have anti-inflammatory properties that can help in relieving symptoms of gastritis include:
- Fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin K
- Whole grains (brown rice, oats, and whole-wheat bread)
- Beans
- Nuts
- Fish (salmon, sardines, and tuna)
- Spices such as turmeric
What is gastritis?
Gastritis is a condition in which the lining of the stomach gets red and swollen (inflamed) due to various causes. The lining of the stomach makes acid and enzymes that help break down food to nutrients. The lining also protects itself from acid damage by secreting mucus. In gastritis, the lining gets inflamed and starts making less acid, enzymes, and mucus. Gastritis is a common condition with a wide range of causes. For most people, gastritis may not be serious and improves quickly if treated. However, gastritis if left untreated may last for years.
What are the causes of gastritis?
The causes of gastritis include:
- Bacterial infection: Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori is a type of bacteria that lives in the mucous lining of the stomach; without treatment, the infection can lead to ulcers and stomach cancer.
- Bile reflux: This is a backflow of digestive juices called bile into the stomach from the bile tract (it connects to the liver and gallbladder).
- Excessive use of cocaine or alcohol
- Smoking
- Regular intake of spicy food may also irritate the stomach lining
- Regularly taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or other painkillers
- Stressful events (such as a bad injury or critical illness, intentional or accidental ingestions of toxins or poisons, or major surgery)
- An autoimmune reaction—when the immune system mistakenly attacks own cells and tissues (in this case, the stomach lining)
- Pernicious anemia: This is a form of anemia that happens when the stomach can’t absorb vitamin B-12 and can irritate the stomach lining.
How is gastritis treated?
The treatment goal of gastritis aims to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach to relieve symptoms, allowing the stomach lining to heal and tackle any underlying cause.
- Antacids: These over-the-counter medicines neutralize the acid in the stomach, which can provide rapid pain relief.
- Histamine 2 (H2) blockers: These medicines reduce acid production allowing the stomach lining to heal.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): These medicines reduce acid production even more effectively than H2 blockers (such as omeprazole).
- If the gastritis is caused by pernicious anemia, B12 vitamin shots may be given.
- For gastritis caused by H. pylori infection, your doctor will prescribe a regimen of several antibiotics plus an acid-blocking drug (used for heartburn).
