In a typically hectic working day, one is busy with duties, meetings, and appointments. Many times, keeping up with the tight schedule necessitates putting off or skipping meals. On top of this, there is all the stress of the accumulated work. Moreover, these are all contributing factors to gastritis that makes life even more difficult. So here are some tips for dealing with gastritis, including behavioural adjustments you can make to keep this debilitating and potentially dangerous medical condition at bay.

Getting to know gastritis

We all know that our stomach does the important job of digesting food and most of us also know that the work gets done by highly corrosive acidic gastric juices. In fact, your gastric juices are so strong they can even digest bones. However, the juices don’t harm our body because it has a defence mechanism, namely, releasing mucus that prevents the acid from eroding into the stomach. Nevertheless, there are many factors that can cause the stomach's self-defence mechanism to malfunction, resulting in ulcerated or non-ulcerated gastritis. Although gastritis is not classified as a serious medical condition, it can cause suffering and interfere with life. Its symptoms come and go, including stomach ache lasting 1-2 weeks, then disappear for a month before returning later.  

Causes of gastritis

·       Infection with H. pylori bacteria (Helicobacter Pylori) that impairs the stomach's defence mechanisms. This germ adheres to the outer lining of foods. The infection increases the risk of chronic gastritis, stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.

·       Not eating on time. When the stomach is left empty for a long time, in the absence of food to get to work on, gastric juice responsible for digestion will digest the walls of the stomach instead.

·       Stress stimulates stomach cells to secrete more acid, leading to indigestion, stomach burn and bloating.

·       Eating too spicy, sour, and salty foods.

·       Smoking and drinking regularly.

·       Taking certain medications that have a stomach-stinging effect.

The digestive system and stress

Stress is one of the major factors causing blood flow through nerves in the digestive system to slow. This undermines the ability of the muscles to expand and contract, with the following consequences:

·       Reduction of secretion of acids needed for digestion leading to indigestion and flatulence.

·       Reduced immune system activity raising the risk of infection of the gastrointestinal tract.

·       Increased esophageal muscle spasms and stomach acid causing indigestion.

·       Diarrhoea or constipation as the colon responds to stress.

·       Heartburn and acid reflux due to the digestive system not working well, accentuating compression of the oesophagus.

·       Bad bacteria become more numerous than good bacteria undermining functioning of the digestive system.

Symptoms of gastritis

·       Abdominal pain with burning sensation, tightness in the epigastric or upper abdomen or navel region. Symptoms often occur before or after eating.

·       Abdominal pain which tends to be relieved by food and antacids.

·       Pain that comes and goes.

·       Abdominal pain in the middle of the night while asleep.

·       Nausea, vomiting, feeling full easily.

·       Vomiting blood which may indicate stomach ulcer.

If left untreated, gastritis is a risk for cancer

Many people neglect to get proper treatment at the first sign of gastritis. They don’t think it is a serious or chronic disease with recurring symptoms throughout life. However, if left untreated until the stomach starts to ulcerate, leading to signs of degeneration in the body, you should take that as a warning sign that you may be at risk of stomach cancer.

How to cope with gastritis

·       Treatment methods

o   Take medication to reduce stomach acid.

o   Abstain from smoking, alcohol, and spicy foods, and eat on time.

o   Exercise.

o   Refrain from taking painkillers, aspirin, joint pain relievers, bone pain relievers if not necessary.

o   Eat easily digestible foods.

o   If you feel stomachache after eating, start eating small amounts of food and gradually increase until you feel full.

·       Preventing gastritis

o   Balance your work schedule and get enough rest.

o   Keep doing activities that relieve stress.

o   Eat meals on time.

o   Avoid eating very spicy foods and use less seasonings.

o   Exercise regularly.

Now you understand gastritis better in terms of causes and the behavioral adjustments you can make to avoid it, we hope it will help you avoid the condition and stay healthy.

Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance customers who have stomachache and are unsure if they are suffering from gastritis can consult a doctor online via the telehealth services available through the Emma by AXA application. For more details, click https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/health-services/telehealth.

References

·       Phyathai Hospital
https://bit.ly/3QXSUuO

·       Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital
https://www.siphhospital.com/th/news/article/share/stomach-disease

·       Samitivej Hospital
https://bit.ly/3bC6yDD
https://bit.ly/3u7KVS0

·       Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital
https://www.si.mahidol.ac.th/sidoctor/e-pl/articledetail.asp?id=359

·       King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society
https://bit.ly/3I0Dvp6

·       Paolo Hospital
https://bit.ly/3OHu14m
https://bit.ly/3A6HCyc

·       Corporate Communication, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital
https://bit.ly/3u42eDm

·       Bangkok Hospital
https://bit.ly/3y01OPJ

·       Pobpad website
https://bit.ly/3u8o9JE

·       Vichaiyut Hospital 
https://bit.ly/3QU0q9N