Chronic gastritis: Many people after the age of 50 suffer from it and it often goes undetected. This is because the chronic form of gastritis can remain silent for weeks to years. Nevertheless, you should have it treated, as untreated chronic gastritis can lead to complications in the long term, such as a stomach ulcer.
The causes are varied: infections with germs, medication or even a malfunction of the immune system can cause chronic gastritis. A distinction is made between types A, B and C depending on the cause:
Type A gastritis
The rare type A gastritis is based on an autoimmune process: the body produces antibodies against the parietal cells of your gastric mucosa. This leads to an inflammatory reaction that results in the destruction of the gastric acid-producing glands . In the final stage of glandular atrophy, you lose the ability to produce stomach acid, pepsin and intrinsic factor. Pepsin is necessary for the digestion of protein, the intrinsic factor for the absorption of vitamin B12. The latter is particularly important for blood formation. If type A gastritis drags on for years, it can lead to anaemia .
Type B gastritis
The most common form of chronic gastritis is type B gastritis. Around 80 to 90 percent of all gastritis diseases belong to type B. It is caused by an infection with the bacterium "Helicobacterpylori". This is a rod-shaped bacterium that lives on and within the mucous membrane of the stomach and also survives the acidic environment of the stomach. It impairs mucosal protection and promotes the development of an ulcer. The bacterium can be found all over the world and its transmission is still unknown.
Type C gastritis
Type C gastritis accounts for around 10 percent of all gastritis diseases and is also known as chemically toxic gastritis. This is because it is triggered by substances that irritate the stomach. Various medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, can cause type C gastritis. Bile reflux, the backflow of bile from the intestine into the stomach, can also be responsible for type C gastritis: The bile irritates the stomach lining.
Chronic gastritis is diagnosed by a doctor using a gastroscopy or a Helicobacter test.
According to current knowledge, type A gastritis cannot be treated as it is caused by a fault in the immune system. Nevertheless, a stomach-friendly lifestyle and the use of acid-inhibiting medication are recommended. You should also have regular check-ups , as the disease increases the risk of stomach cancer.
Antibiotics and acid inhibitors help with type B gastritis. After about a month, you should ask your doctor to check whether the treatment has been successful. If not, you will be prescribed other antibiotics.
If you suffer from type C gastritis, you should eliminate the causes: You should avoid stomach-irritating substances or take them together with a "stomach protector".
Chronic gastritis is widespread, with around 12 percent of the Swiss population suffering from the disease. A check-up with a doctor is particularly advisable for people over the age of 50.
Neuen Kommentar hinzufügen: