Introduction

Consult your healthcare provider if you experience new, persistent, or worsening symptoms despite self-care.

• If there's an obvious cause for your gastritis like taking aspirin on an empty stomach
• If your symptoms are mild
• If you can take medication to ease your symptoms
• If you improve quickly

If you experience the following, seek immediate medical attention or call 911:

• Vomiting preventing intake of food, fluids, and medication
• Fever with abdominal pain
• Fainting or feeling faint
• Rapid heartbeat
• Unexplained sweating
• Pallor
• Repeated vomiting of green or yellow material
• Vomiting any amount of blood
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Self-Care at Home

If you know what triggers your gastritis, the best approach is to avoid the cause.

• Aspirin and alcohol are common culprits of gastritis.
• If you experience upset stomach and nausea after alcohol or aspirin, avoid them.

Sometimes, avoiding certain substances causing gastritis may not be possible.

• Your healthcare provider may have good reasons for recommending aspirin, iron, potassium, or other medication causing gastritis.
• If you experience mild gastritis symptoms, it may be wise to continue the recommended medication and address the symptoms.
• Consult your healthcare provider before discontinuing any medication.

Coated aspirin may not cause the same symptoms because it doesn't dissolve in the stomach. Check other over-the-counter medication for aspirin content.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can also cause gastritis. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking them with food or antacids to reduce the risk of gastritis symptoms.
• Switching to acetaminophen may be an option, but consult your healthcare provider first.

If gastritis symptoms persist, antacids may be recommended. There are three main types with similar effectiveness:

• Magnesium-containing antacids may lead to diarrhea. Use cautiously if you have certain kidney problems.
• Aluminum-containing antacids can cause constipation.
• Calcium-containing antacids can help control stomach acid and supplement calcium, especially for postmenopausal women. However, they may also lead to constipation.
• Antacids can affect the absorption of other medication. Your healthcare provider should guide you on the best choice if you require antacids regularly.

Histamine (H2) blockers like cimetidine (Tagamet) and ranitidine (Zantac) reduce stomach acid secretion, alleviating gastritis pain and symptoms. Some are available without a prescription. If you need them regularly, consult your healthcare provider.

Prescription medication that protect the stomach lining or reduce acid production are available if nonprescription options don't work. Discuss with your healthcare provider.

Follow-up

Follow-up care for gastritis is simple:

• Avoid things that irritate your stomach or worsen your symptoms.
• Take your medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen or persist.
• Report any new symptoms to your healthcare provider.

Prevention

The key to preventing gastritis is to avoid irritants that inflame your stomach's lining.

• Aspirin (use coated aspirin if necessary)
• NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen
• Smoking
• Caffeine and caffeine-like substances
• Alcohol

If you suspect a prescribed medication is causing gastritis, talk to your healthcare provider before discontinuing it. The medication may be crucial for your health.

Outlook

Most people recover from gastritis. Depending on factors affecting your stomach lining, symptoms may flare up occasionally. Overall, gastritis is a common, mildly troublesome ailment that responds well to simple treatments.

In rare cases, severe forms of gastritis can be serious or even life-threatening. Persistent, severe symptoms or internal bleeding should prompt your healthcare provider to investigate for a more serious underlying cause.