Home Remedies For Gastritis

An inflammation of the stomach lining, gastritis is usually signaled by indigestion, either with or without bleeding in the digestive tract. Acute gastritis, often develops when people are subjected to sudden stress, such as from extensive burns or other severe injury or illness; it may also develop after surgery, leading to stress ulcers and severe intestinal bleeding.

Causes of Gastritis:

Gastritis can be due to a number of causes including excessive alcohol consumption, prolonged use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or bacterial infection. Commonly, the bacterium that causes the inflammation of gastritis is the same as that which causes most stomach ulcers. Sometimes gastritis can develop after major surgery, burns, traumatic injury.

Symptoms of Gastritis:

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, heartburn, belching, and bloating. All of these are symptoms of many other ailments, too, from serious illnesses to mild inconveniences.

Diagnosis of Gastritis:

First is the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This sounds much more complicated than it is. The doctor simply takes an endoscope -- which is a very skinny tube with a miniature camera affixed to it -- inserts it down your throat and into your stomach.

The second test is a simple blood test. This is a rather roundabout way of diagnosing gastritis. What the doctor is checking for in the blood is to see if your red blood cell count is down.

Finally, the third test is a stool test. You provide the doctor with a sample of your stool, and he or she tests it to see if there is blood present in it. If there is, its a good sign that your stomach is bleeding.

Treatment of Gastritis:

- Asparagus (Asparagus racemosa) Asparagus is known to be an antispasmodic. It reduces the fire in the stomach.

- Bitter Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) The tea of the bitter chamomile is effective in allaying the gastritis that is caused due to tensions and worries.

- Cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum) Cardamom has soothing effects on the stomach. It is especially beneficial if the gastritis causes heartburn.

- Fennel (Fenneliculum vulgare) Fennel is used as a digestive traditionally by Indians. After each meal, there is a tradition of chewing some seeds of fennel. Fennel soothes the stomach, facilitates digestion, reduces flatulence and relieves the stomach of excess acidity.

- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) The extract of ginger is effective in treating the acid dyspepsia that is associated with gastritis.

- Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) The Indian gooseberry, or amla, is very beneficial in the treatment of several stomach ailments, gastritis included.

- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) The root of the licorice can soothe the inflammation and the injury to the stomach. It is also known to reduce the proliferation of Helicobacter pylori.

- Rhubarb (Rheum emodi) Rhubarb is a mild agent; so it is effectively used in treating gastritis problems in children. It can reduce the acidity in the stomach.

- Sandalwood (Santalum album) Sandalwood helps in gastritis because it has cooling properties. It can soothe the stomach muscles inflamed by gastritis.

- Among vegetables white pumpkin, bitter gourd, cucumber, green banana and banana flower are effective.

- Cows milk is preferable to buffalos milk.

- Amalaki choorna or Triphala choorna is given in a dose of three grams thrice a day for seven days.

- Have a banana early in the morning. Drown them with milk. This reduces the acidity within the stomach in some days.

- Squeeze the juice of an orange and add some roasted cumin seeds in it. Have this with some salt in it. It provides immense relief in gastritis.

- Coconut water is an excellent remedy for gastritis. It gives the stomach the necessary rest and provides vitamins and minerals.