What are the symptoms and treatment of gastritis?

Symptoms of Gastritis

The primary symptoms of gastritis include epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, loss of appetite, and in some cases, bleeding that may manifest as hematemesis or melena. 1

Common Symptoms

• Epigastric pain or discomfort that may worsen after eating 1, 2
• Nausea and vomiting, which can be persistent or cyclical 1, 3
• Feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating small amounts of food 1, 2
• Loss of appetite (anorexia) 2, 3
• Bloating and abdominal distension 1, 3
• Heartburn or acid reflux symptoms 1, 4

Severe Symptoms

• Hematemesis (vomiting blood) in cases of acute hemorrhagic gastritis 5
• Melena (black, tarry stools) indicating gastrointestinal bleeding 5
• Significant weight loss, particularly in chronic cases 2, 3
• Severe weakness and fatigue, which may be related to anemia from chronic blood loss or vitamin deficiencies 1, 2

Symptoms Related to Complications

• Iron-deficiency anemia symptoms (fatigue, weakness, pale skin) due to chronic bleeding or malabsorption 1, 2
• Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms (neurological symptoms, fatigue) particularly in autoimmune gastritis 1
• Dyspepsia that doesn't respond to standard treatments 1, 2

Symptoms by Type of Gastritis

Acute Gastritis

• Sudden onset of severe epigastric pain 5
• Nausea and vomiting that may be severe 5, 3
• Potential for significant bleeding, especially in hemorrhagic gastritis 5

Chronic Gastritis

• More persistent but often less severe symptoms 2
• May be asymptomatic in early stages 1
• Gradual development of micronutrient deficiencies (iron, B12) 1, 2

Autoimmune Gastritis

• Often asymptomatic until advanced stages 1
• May present with symptoms of pernicious anemia (fatigue, neurological symptoms) 1
• Can be associated with other autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis 6

H. pylori-Associated Gastritis

• May be asymptomatic or present with mild dyspeptic symptoms 1
• Increased risk of peptic ulcer disease with additional symptoms like pain relieved by food 1, 2

Atypical Presentations

• Some patients may present with atypical chest pain that can be confused with cardiac symptoms 1
• Nonspecific symptoms like early satiety and postprandial fullness 1, 2
• Cyclical vomiting pattern in some cases 3

When to Seek Medical Attention

• Presence of blood in vomit or black, tarry stools 5
• Severe, persistent abdominal pain 1, 5
• Symptoms of dehydration due to persistent vomiting 1, 3
• Unexplained weight loss 2, 3
• Symptoms persisting despite over-the-counter treatments 1, 4

It's important to note that many cases of gastritis, particularly chronic forms, may be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during endoscopy performed for other reasons 1. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications such as gastric ulcers, bleeding, and in long-standing cases, increased risk of gastric cancer 1, 2.