Gastric distress: Digestive disorders, whether minor or severe, can prove to be distressing for anyone. If left neglected or not treated, the consequences can be rather serious. Gastric distress, which is also referred as gastritis, is what medical science denotes as erosion, irritation or inflammation of the stomach lining. It can develop gradually and also become chronic. It does not last for a long time, but recurrence can be disturbing for the afflicted lot. Thankfully, detecting the symptoms and seeking treatment is not tedious. In fact, once diagnosed there are several treatment options that you can go in for to treat gastritis effectively.
Before we delve into the treatment options available to you, let us take you through the causes and symptoms of the condition.
The Causes of Gastritis
The major causes of gastric problems are listed below:
- Acid reflux– Also called Gastroesophageal reflux disease is possibly the most commonplace cause of gastritis.
- Inflammatory bowel disease- These diseases, especially ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease may lead to gastric problems.
- Peptic ulcer- It is another major cause of gastric problems.
- Alcohol addiction– Those who are addicted to alcohol consumption and go on overboard, develop gastric problems.
Other causes of gastric problems may include lactose intolerance, gallstones.
The Symptoms of Gastritis
Major Symptoms of Gastritis include:
- Recurrent upset stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal bloating
- Vomiting
- Burning feeling in the stomach, mostly at night
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Bad breath
How Gastritis is Diagnosed?
Gastric problems can be diagnosed by various clinical tests. These include upper endoscopy, blood tests and stool test. The doctor may want to examine red blood cell count to find out if you have developed anaemia. The doctor may also ask you details about medical history and food habits before deciding the exams.
Treatment Options for Gastritis
Upon timely diagnosis, treating gastric ailments is not tough.
- The doctors usually recommend taking specific antacids to reduce stomach acid generation.
- Those afflicted with gastritis are advised to stay away from spicy and hot foods as much as possible.
- At times, antibiotics may be prescribed by doctors if the root cause is an H. pylori infection.
- If you are lactose intolerant, eliminating foods with lactose can be helpful in reducing the severity of gastric symptoms.
- Making some major changes in food and beverage consumption will be required if you want to treat gastric problems. Evading smoking and alcoholic beverages will be prudent in this regard. You should refrain from intaking caffeinated and carbonated drinks too.
- While fruit juice is good for health, avoid drinking juice made from citrus fruits as it can add to the level of acid in the stomach ad worsen the symptoms.
Natural/Home Remedies for Gastric Distress
In combination with prescribed medications and making changes to the diet, you can resort to some tried and tested natural remedies for gastric distress. These measures can mostly be continued with regular treatment and medications. They are:
1. Ginger
A widely used herb and found in almost all kitchens, ginger can be used to fight gastric problems. You can use freshly ground ginger paste in your cooking to alleviate the symptoms of the condition. You may also use dried ginger to brew your cup of tea, or add some ginger and a blob of honey to a glass of warm water and drink it every day for instant relief from indigestion and abdominal pain.
Related: Home remedies for stomach ulcer
2. Cinnamon
This spice comes with a really nice aroma that can be used to make various sumptuous dishes and is apparently a natural remedy for gastritis too. You can boil a small amount of cinnamon in water and let it cool. Drink this concoction after straining. You may also mix powder made from grinding dry cinnamon with tea and other beverages that you consume. Cinnamon tea is said to be effective in offering relief from gastritis.
Related: Try these home remedies for gastritis to get instant relief
3. Baking soda
Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is one effective home remedy to fight gastric distress. You can mix it with lemon juice to get even better results in this regard. You may mix the juice of half a lemon with a spoon of baking soda and dissolve it into warm water. Drink this twice or thrice a week to control gastric problems. However, do not drink it frequently.
Related: Over 9 effective home remedies for food poisoning here
4. Guava leaves
Guava leaf can be used as a natural weapon to tackle gastric problems. Boil some raw guava leaves after cleaning them well with water. Drink the water while it is lukewarm. It helps fight vomiting or nausea that are often caused by gastritis.
Related: Best 11 home remedies for acidity
5. Garlic
Another widely used herb which can be found in most households, garlic is ideal to combat gastric problems effectively. The pungent odour notwithstanding, consumption of garlic in various ways will help you cope with gastric problem symptoms better. You may mince fresh garlic pods and add them to soups and broths. You may also mix minced garlic with a salad and dress it with honey. Alternatively, you may resort to using garlic powder if the strong smell puts you off. Garlic can be used in cooking a lot of dishes due to its versatility in combining flavors, so go ahead and use them in your daily cooking.
Related: Best home remedies for heartburn or acid reflux
6. Peppermint
You can use peppermint to tackle gastritis at home. You can either consume it in the form of peppermint tea every day or simply chew some fresh peppermint leaves. You should be able to buy peppermint tea in the market easily.
Related: Home remedies for vomiting that offer instant relief
7. Cardamom
This is another spice with a nice aroma, often used to make delicious dishes. Using cardamom is effective in coping with gastric issues. You may make use of cardamom powder in making various dishes. Otherwise, you can use dry and whole cardamom pieces in cooking. Taking cardamom tea is also another way you can use this spice to fight gastric distress.
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Where it All Leads To?
Gastritis is a commonplace digestive disorder that affects millions of men and women and fortunately diagnosis and treatments are not difficult these days.While adhering to the medications and treatment is necessary to treat it, trying natural remedies simultaneously can help you. However, do not consume anything randomly without consulting your doctor. Making some changes to your diet and lifestyle is necessary to get lasting relief from the condition. To know more about other effective ways to treat gastric distress, click here.
