What Is Leaky Gut
You have to begin at the cellular level. The lining of your intestine is made of millions and millions of cells. These cells join together to create a tight barrier that acts like a security system and decides what gets absorbed into the bloodstream and what stays out.
However, in an unhealthy gut, the lining can weaken, so “holes” develop in the barrier. The result is that toxins and bacteria can leak into the body. This can trigger inflammation in the gut and throughout the body and cause a chain reaction of problems, such as bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, fatigue, headaches, and joint pain, to name a few.
How do these “holes” form? The biggest culprits are genes and diet, according to Dr. Fasano. “Some people may have a weaker barrier because they were born with it, or they follow an unbalanced diet low in fiber and high in sugar and saturated fats, which may be the trigger that weakens the gut lining.” Age also plays a role because as you age, cells get damaged more easily and heal slowly, if at all, so the gut becomes more vulnerable.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Gastritis
Symptoms of gastritis do not always correspond to the extent of physical changes in the lining of the stomach.
- The stomach lining can be examined with an endoscope, a thin probe with a tiny camera at the end that can be inserted through the mouth into the stomach.
- Severe gastritis may be present when the stomach is viewed without any symptoms being present.
- Conversely, severe gastritis symptoms may be present despite only minor changes in the stomach lining.
- Elderly people in particular have a much higher likelihood of developing painless stomach damage. They may have no symptoms at all until they are suddenly taken ill with bleeding.
In people who have gastritis symptoms, pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen are the most common symptoms.
- The pain is usually in the upper central portion of the abdomen .
- Sometimes gastritis pain occurs in the left upper portion of the abdomen and in the back. The pain seems to “go right straight through.”
- People often use the terms burning, aching, gnawing, or soreness to describe the pain. Usually, a vague sense of discomfort is present, but the pain may be sharp, stabbing, or cutting.
Other symptoms of gastritis include the following:
In more severe gastritis, bleeding may occur inside the stomach. Erosive gastritis causes an erosion of the gastric mucosa leading to bleeding.
Any of the following symptoms can be seen as well as those already mentioned.
Gastritis Diet Plan & Natural Treatments
Each person with gastritis or peptic ulcers reacts differently to various foods, so its best to try an elimination diet to kick-start your gastritis diet in order to test which foods tend to cause you the worst pain or help provide relief. First try eliminating all of the common trigger foods described below for a period of time, such as several weeks, and then you can add back one food at a time to test its effects.
To get the most benefits from following a gastritis diet plan, use these tips to help manage symptoms:
To help stop gastritis pain and lower your risk for recurrence, here are the foods that experts advise you avoid and consume on the gastritis diet treatment plan:
Foods to Avoid that Worsen Gastritis
Foods to Consume that Help You Overcome Gastritis
- High-antioxidant foods: Research shows that high-antioxidant foods, such as those high in vitamin C, vitamin A and flavonoids , can help lower stomach inflammation and reduce risk for digestive disorders or complications. The best sources of healing antioxidants are brightly colored fresh fruits and vegetables. According to sources such as the University of Maryland Medical Center, fresh fruits, herbs/spices and veggies that are especially beneficial for gastritis include onions, garlic, squash, bell peppers, leafy greens, artichoke, asparagus, celery, fennel, sea vegetables, ginger, turmeric, cruciferous veggies, berries, apples and cranberries.
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Strategy #: Feed Healthy Bacteria
Fibers and starches in our food cannot always be broken down by us. Gut microbes ferment and break down these substances for us.
In return, they produce invaluable substances such as Short Chain Fatty Acids , B vitamins, and Vitamin K2.SCFAs support healthy mucosa by promoting the production of mucus & regulating immune cell development locally in the gut .
Spore probiotics increase SCFAs by as much as 40% and clinical research being readied for publication demonstrates that spores also double to quadruple the diversity of other gut flora .
You can also support SCFAs directly with supplementation. We use Enterovite to support SCFA levels in the short-term while working on more global issues of gastrointestinal health and microbial diversity.
In the absence of sufficient fibers & starches, healthy bacteria starve & microbial diversity drops. Yeast & opportunistic organisms also grow & take up more areas in the gut.
Importance of Adding & Maintaining Diet Diversity
Ancestral diets were rich in food diversity. It wasnt until the advent of modern agriculture that our diets became less diverse.
Human ancestors consumed numerous varieties of plants, animals, insects, and roots and tubers. Now, we eat a much more limited array of foods in our diet. The modern diet is unnaturally high in monocultures of wheat, dairy, corn, and soy.
Symptoms are a sign that you are lacking the bacterial balance in your gut to ferment these tough-to-digest foods.
When To See A Gp
If you have indigestion and stomach pain, you can try treating this yourself with changes to your diet and lifestyle, or with medicines you can get from a pharmacy, such as antacids.
See a GP if:
- you have indigestion symptoms lasting a week or longer, or it’s causing you severe pain or discomfort
- you think it’s brought on by medicine you have been prescribed
Stomach ache and abdominal pain are not always a sign of gastritis.
The pain could be caused by a wide range of other things, from trapped wind to irritable bowel syndrome .
What Is The Prognosis For People With Gastritis
Most cases of gastritis improve quickly with treatment. For most people, medications relieve gastritis. Your healthcare provider will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on whats causing gastritis. Antacids reduce stomach acid, while antibiotics clear up bacterial infections. You can also make changes like reducing your alcohol consumption and managing pain without NSAIDs.
Foods To Avoid On A Gastritis Diet
Foods that are high in fat may worsen inflammation in the lining of the stomach.
For some people, food allergies can trigger gastritis. In these cases, identifying and avoiding these foods may treat and prevent the condition.
Some forms of gastritis are caused by drinking alcohol too often or drinking too much in a short period.
Foods that may irritate the stomach and make gastritis worse include:
- acidic foods, such as tomatoes and some fruits
- spicy foods
If you notice that a certain food or food group makes your symptoms worse, avoiding this food can prevent symptoms. This is particularly true when it comes to food allergies.
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What Causes Alcohol Gastritis
Alcohol Gastritis is a type of acute gastritis and is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The sudden inflammation of the stomach lining can be very painful and cause severe stomach cramping, irritability and vomiting. While consuming too much alcohol is the main cause of Alcohol Gastritis, it often develops in connection with some sort of infection, direct irritation or localized tissue damage. It can be caused by:
- taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin or ibuprofen .
- certain bacterial infections.
- bile reflux from proximal small intestine.
- autoimmune disorders.
While these are the chief causes of the condition, there are other activities and circumstances that can contribute to the irritation, including stress, smoking and caffeine intake. If you wait to see a doctor for alcohol gastritis symptoms and continue to drink the more likely it may lead to permanent damage to the stomach and digestive system.
My Stomach Acid Story
I first had heartburn issues when I was pregnant with my first child. Very common and after giving birth to my son, it went away. With my second pregnancy, the stomach acid started much earlier in my pregnancy and intensity. I first tried an H2 blocker, Ranitidine, but it didnt quell the symptoms. I went on a proton-pump inhibitor which is what Prilosec and Nexium are classified as.
I thought the symptoms would resolve themselves after the birth of my daughter, like they did with my son, but that was not the case. By the time my daughter was close to a year, the symptoms were so bad that I was in physical pain every day, not just heart burn, but chest pains and a burning all the way from my stomach to my throat.
My sleep was suffering and the burning was turning into a constant pain and ache in my stomach as well. At the end, I was on the maximum dose of the prescription PPI and another prescription that acts as a chemical band-aid on the stomach, which meant I was taking prescription meds up to 6 times a day and having to time my eating around them.
Worst part, it wasnt solving the problem, I was still having uncontrollable acid reflux. Finally, my regular doctor referred me to a specialist, who ordered an endoscope of my stomach. During the procedure they took a biopsy from my upper stomach and esophagus to test for cancer.
He handed me a sheet of foods to cut out and I stuffed it into my purse, a little bit miffed, and started the drive for home.
What Is The Outlook For A Person With Gastritis
Most people recover from gastritis. Depending on the many factors that affect the stomach lining, gastritis symptoms may flare-up from time to time. Overall, gastritis is a common ailment that responds well to simple treatments.
On occasion, rare forms of gastritis can be serious or even life-threatening. Severe, ongoing symptoms or internal bleeding should alert a health-care professional to search for a more serious underlying cause.
What Is The Best Home Remedy For Gastritis
Gastritis has many causes, so there are no bullet-proof home remedies for treating the condition. There are, however, some lifestyle changes and home remedies that may significantly alleviate symptoms.
- Eat four or five small meals a day rather than three large meals.
- Avoid foods that irritate or damage the stomach, such as alcohol or spicy foods.
- Avoid foods like dairy, fatty foods, coffee, and soft drinks that can increase stomach acid.
- Smoking irritates the stomach lining and increases stomach acid, so put the cigarettes aside.
- For pain relief, avoid taking NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen. NSAIDs reduce substances that protect the stomach lining from acid. Instead, switch to acetaminophen.
- Use over-the-counter medications such as antacids or acid reducers to alleviate symptoms at mealtime. Liquid bismuth subsalicylate, found in popular medications like Pepto-Bismol, can do double duty at relieving symptoms and holding back an H. pylori infection.
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Fall In Love With Kiwi Fruit
Kiwi Fruit is an effective remedy for constipation and is extremely soothing and healing for the gastrointestinal tract. According to Monash University, approximately 1 in 7 people suffer from constipation. A 4-week study showed that eating 2 kiwi fruit per day over 4 weeks was an effective treatment to increase bowel motility. Kiwi fruit is high in soluble fibre and vitamin C as well as being low FODMAP.
How To Treat Your Gastritis Symptoms
The first step in treating gastritis is removing the irritant which means that alcoholic gastritis is primarily treated by stopping alcohol use.
According to The National Library of Medicine, medical treatment for serious cases gastritis include:
- Antibiotics to control certain types of GI bacteria that may contribute to the irritation and damage.
- Proton pump inhibitors and other acid reduction medicines.
- Antacids to neutralize acid that is produced.
- Probiotics to encourage helpful gastric bacteria.
Each individual has different factors contributing to whether acute gastritis will develop into a chronic condition. Working with a doctor is the best way to determine the individualized treatment needed to help the person manage alcoholic gastritis. However, the ability to do so hinges specifically on the persons ability to stop drinking alcohol. Without removing this main cause, the gastritis is likely to continue even with the most effective medical intervention.
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How To Take These Supplements
First, no you should not take all of these at the same time.
Next, some of them might not even be good for your body right now or ever.
And finally, whatever you do choose to take, be sure to read the product label for suggested amount.
Better yet, write the supplement down in your gut healing journal and at your next medical appointment, get the exact amount for you.
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The Bottom Line On How To Repair Your Stomach Lining
- For those who are exploring nutrition-based ways to heal the stomach lining, many options are available, including natural supplements like bovine colostrum and probiotics.
- In addition to natural supplements, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle may lower the risk of digestive issues.
- To determine how to heal your stomach lining and combat long-term digestive issues, consult with a doctor.
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Gastric Polyps Or Tumors
Gastric polyps are growths that form in the lining of the stomach. They do not usually cause symptoms, but when they do, these can include:
- In rarer cases, bleeding
Most gastric polyps are benign, meaning non-cancerous, but some can develop into gastric cancers.
Seeking medical advice from a doctor is advisable if any of the symptoms of chronic or are experienced.
Good to know: The chance of developing cancer from gastritis or atrophic gastritis is low. However, a gastric cancer screening is recommended for people diagnosed with atrophic gastritis at regular intervals. These gaps between screenings will likely be between every one and three years depending on a doctors recommendations.
Other effective ways of lowering the chances of gastric cancer include:
- A diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables
- A diet low in highly processed foods containing lots of salt and hydrogenated fats
- Avoiding red meats, especially processed, smoked ones containing high levels of nitrate salts and/or nitrite
- Leading a smoke and nicotine free lifestyle
- Drinking alcohol only in moderate amounts
Treatment For Autoimmune Chronic Gastritis
Currently, there is no treatment available that will cure autoimmune chronic gastritis. However, the vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies that it often causes can be treated with supplements, in the form of tablets, shots or intravenous infusions.
Even though autoimmune chronic gastritis cannot be removed by treatment, the risk of developing gastric cancer as a complication of the condition is still modest to low. Nevertheless, a doctor may recommend follow-up endoscopies to detect any early signs of gastric cancer. Treatment on gastric cancer is generally more effective the earlier the condition is detected and treated.
Follow-up endoscopies may be recommended to monitor development of atrophic gastritis and to detect any early signs of gastric cancer which will allow to then treat it as soon as possible with the best possible outcome.
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Gastritis Symptoms: 4 Natural Treatments For This Sick Tummy Problem
May 13, 2016
Symptoms of this uncomfortable condition account for more than 2 million visits to the doctor each year in the U.S. alone. This is because gastritis symptoms can wreak all kinds of havoc on peoples digestive tracts, leaving them in all sorts of pain and discomfort.
What is gastritis, you ask? Its an uncomfortable digestive problem caused by stomach inflammation and erosion of the lining of the stomach . Some people use the terms indigestion and gastritis interchangeably, since both cause similar symptoms. However, while its normal to experience occasional indigestion or an upset stomach from time to time, a diagnosis of gastritis is made when tests reveal that someone has marked inflammation of the stomach or persistent gastritis symptoms.
Not every person with gastritis experiences any symptoms at all, but many people do. Its common for gastritis patients to suffer frequent episodes of stomach pains, bloated stomach, burning and other pains. People can experience gastritis symptoms both short term or for many years at a time .
Gastritis Diet With An Ulcer
Left untreated, some types of gastritis can eventually lead to a stomach ulcer, also called a peptic ulcer. If you have an ulcer, the types of foods that you should eat or avoid are similar to those for gastritis.
With an ulcer, you should make sure you are getting foods full of nutrients. Following a healthful, balanced diet makes it easier for the ulcer to heal.
According to on diet and stomach ulcers, the following foods are allowed:
- milk, yogurt, and low fat cheeses
- vegetable oils and olive oil
- some fruits, including apples, melons, and bananas
- some vegetables, including leafy greens, carrots, spinach, and zucchini
- lentils, chickpeas, and soybeans
Research also suggests that people with a stomach ulcer may want to avoid:
- fried foods
- caffeinated drinks
- mustard grains
There is very little research to support these specific dietary recommendations for gastritis. Your best option is to consult with a doctor or nutritionist for an individualized diet based on your own symptoms and reactions to foods.
Different types of gastritis have different causes. Some of these include:
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