Gastritis is when the lining of your stomach becomes irritated (inflamed). It can cause pain, indigestion and feeling sick. Treatments include antacids, alginates and antibiotics.
Symptoms of gastritis include:
- tummy pain
- indigestion
- feeling full and bloated
- feeling sick (nausea)
- being sick (vomiting)
- not feeling as hungry as usual
- burping and farting
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- you're vomiting bright red blood or your vomit looks like ground coffee
- your poo is black, sticky and extremely smelly
- you have severe tummy or chest pain that started suddenly
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
You have symptoms of gastritis and:
- you've lost your appetite
- you feel full after a very small meal
- you've recently lost weight without trying to
- it feels like you have a lump in your tummy
- it's painful or difficult to swallow
- you keep being sick
These can be serious, so they need to be checked quickly.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
See a GP if:
- you have tummy pain or indigestion for longer than 1 week
- your tummy pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
Causes of gastritis include:
- infection with a bacteria called helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
- taking anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as ibuprofen) and aspirin
- drinking too much alcohol
- being very stressed and unwell, such as after surgery
Gastritis can also be caused by a problem with your immune system where it attacks the lining of your stomach.
To find out what's causing gastritis symptoms, your doctor might arrange tests such as:
- a breath test to check for the bacteria helicobactor pylori (H. pylori); you'll be given a special drink and your breath is checked afterwards
- a test on a sample of your poo
- a blood test
You should be told how to get ready for a breath test around 4 weeks before it happens.
Treatment for gastritis depends on what's causing it.
You might need:
- antibiotics
- medicines to control stomach acid and stop it from rising into your food pipe (oesophagus), such as antacids, proton pump inhibitors or alginates
- to talk to your doctor about stopping anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as ibuprofen) or aspirin and trying a different medicine, if possible
- to stop drinking alcohol, if gastritis is caused by alcohol
If it's not treated, gastritis may get worse and cause a stomach ulcer.
If gastritis is not getting better, or it's causing severe symptoms, a GP might refer you to a specialist stomach doctor (gastroenterologist). They might do a test to look inside your stomach, called a gastroscopy.
If gastritis is causing mild indigestion symptoms, there are things you can do to help.