Gastritis (Dyspepsia)

What is Gastritis (Dyspepsia)?

Dyspepsia is the term given to indigestion which is an uncomfortable sensation or pain felt in the upper abdomen.

It is not a disorder itself, but a sensation experienced as a symptom of some other underlying condition or causative factor. Most cases of dyspepsia are not seen in clinical settings as the individuals may have opted for self-medication.

Who does Gastritis (Dyspepsia) Affect?

Dyspepsia is one of the most common gastric related condition experienced by people. Nearly 1 in 4 people experience it at one time. It affects both men and women of all ages.

How does Gastritis (Dyspepsia) Occur?

Dyspepsia occurs when stomach acid is present in places it shouldn’t be. This might be due to gastric ulcers, other intestinal disorders or the stomach acid backing up into the esophagus and causing epigastric pain. The pain and discomfort caused by this phenomenon are perceived as dyspepsia.

Causes of Gastritis (Dyspepsia)

Dyspepsia can be caused by a number of reasons. It can appear as a symptom of another digestive condition or caused by certain lifestyle habits.

Some of the common causes include:

Eating too fast or eating too much (overeating)
Eating a lot of fatty, spicy or greasy food
Anxiety
Smoking
In certain individuals, it can be caused by consuming too much caffeine, soda drinks and chocolate

Certain medical conditions that can exhibit dyspepsia as a symptom include:

Peptic ulcers
Stomach inflammation (gastritis) or stomach cancer
Gall stones or pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis)
Celiac disease
Intestinal blockage or reduced blood being supplied to the intestine (intestinal ischemia)

In addition to the above, certain medications can also cause dyspepsia in patients. These include NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), some anti-biotics and mineral supplements.

Symptoms of Gastritis (Dyspepsia)

The symptoms of dyspepsia can be experienced as frequent as a daily basis or on an occasional basis. They are very distinguishable and include:

Pain, discomfort or burning in the upper abdominal region
The sensation of bloating, as a result of a gas buildup in the intestine.
Nausea
Feeling full earlier during a meal
An uncomfortably long sense of fullness after a meal

Types of Gastritis (Dyspepsia)

There are four main types of dyspepsia, based on the underlying causative factor.

Organic dyspepsia – Indigestion is caused by an underlying organic disease that can be visualized on endoscopy.
Functional (non-ulcer) dyspepsia – Indigestion is caused by loss of function, as seen in cases of anxiety. There is an absence of organic lesions.
Drug-related dyspepsia – Indigestion happens as a reaction to certain drugs.
Extra-intestinal systemic diseases related to dyspepsia – Indigestion is caused by systemic conditions like diabetes mellitus and other endocrine conditions.

Stages of Gastritis (Dyspepsia)

There are no stages, but the severity of the symptoms is gradient and depends on the severity of the causative factor.

How is Gastritis (Dyspepsia) Diagnosed?

The diagnosis for dyspepsia is made by taking a complete history and a complete physical examination. In case the doctor suspects an underlying condition causing indigestion, he may run lab investigations to rule them out or confirm them. The doctor may order certain lab tests including:

Blood tests to look for anemia and other metabolic disorders
Stool and breath tests – These are used to rule out Helicobacter pylori infections, which cause peptic ulcers, leading to dyspepsia.
Radiology tests including X-ray or CT scans, to rule out bowel obstruction in the gut and other issues
Endoscopy is done to visualize the upper part of the digestive tract to observe any abnormal changes and retrieve tissue samples for analysis.

How is Gastritis (Dyspepsia) Treated?

The treatment of dyspepsia depends on the underlying cause. In most cases, temporary relief can be provided as well from the abdominal discomfort. However, long term control also requires lifestyle changes such a reducing trigger food and smoking, eating smaller meals and avoiding caffeine in the diet. If the dyspepsia is caused by anxiety, learning breathing exercises and relaxation techniques along with managing better control of the stress can be very beneficial.

In addition to changing life habits, medicine that provides relief from the effects of dyspepsia include:

Antacids – These are available over the counter and act by neutralizing the gastric acid, providing quick relief in most cases for a short period
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and H-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) – These medicines reduce the production of stomach acid, thus controlling dyspepsia at the source
The doctor may prescribe anti-biotics if H. pylori causing peptic ulcers are identified as the cause of dyspepsia
In some cases, anti-anxiety medicine or anti-depressants may be recommended as well if other drugs have not been effective

What if Gastritis (Dyspepsia) is Untreated?

There aren’t long term complications associated with dyspepsia. It can become a nuisance and reduce the quality of life if left untreated, due to the abdominal pain caused and missed work or school days because of it. If an underlying disease is resulting in dyspepsia, that disease can have its own series of complications that may appear in the long term.