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What Are the Symptoms of Gastritis?

Signs and Symptoms of Gastritis

Stomach pain/ache (dyspepsia): Dyspepsia is a term used to refer to a series of symptoms related to the stomach. It is usually associated with indigestion or stomach pain. The pain can be associated with a feeling of a distended stomach, heartburn, nausea, excessive burping, early satiation (feeling full shortly after beginning a meal), and a feeling of poor digestion. [3]

Burning sensation: Most people have had the feeling that their stomachs are on fire after a fatty or alcoholic meal. When this malaise frequently appears after meals, it is common to think that you have gastritis. The burning happens due to an increase in the production of gastric acid and the return of it in the esophageal tube. In this context, four groups of patients can be distinguished: hose with dyspepsia (difficulty digesting food), with acute or chronic gastritis, and patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Nonetheless, stomach burns still remain one of the major characteristic symptoms of acute gastritis.

Nausea: Nausea is a sickly feeling that is often felt and originate from the upper abdomen. The intensity varies and may or may not be followed/associated with vomiting.

In addition to the feeling of nausea itself, it is common for the individual to experience general malaise, lack of desire to eat, desire to stay still, and, in some cases, the patient prefers to stay in a specific position (e.g., lying or sitting to feel more comfortable) to eat the nauseating feeling. [4]

Vomiting: Vomiting is usually not painful, but the feeling not pleasant. Vomiting, which is also scientifically known as “emesis,” is the voluntary or involuntary emptying of the stomach contents through the mouth or, less frequently, by the nose. Vomiting can happen for several reasons and is one of the common symptoms of gastritis. It is also often associated with nausea.

Mild symptoms may subside in a day or two or may continue for a long time with vomiting. If it is caused by gastritis, it begins to develop within a few hours after eating. If the gastric mucosa is severely inflamed, hematemesis (blood in vomit) and melena (blood that has entered the digestive tract may come out of the anus) may occur. [5] [6]

Distended stomach: The distended abdomen is usually characterized by swelling in the abdominal region or an increase in the volume of the abdomen caused by the presence of a substance inside, such as gas, liquid, or solid food material. In the case of gastritis, this can be a major symptom as the stomach is seen to be visibly swollen. [7]