Everyone has faced indigestion at some point, but many people may suffer from it every day. It all depends on what food you eat and how you eat it. Indigestion may cause nausea, pain or a burning sensation in the stomach, and heartburn are some of the symptoms that indicate gastritis.
Gastritis refers to a group of conditions that result in the inflammation of the stomach lining and the stomach acid causing a burning sensation in the chest and abdomen. If left untreated, it can become life-threatening as the pain, inflammation, and bleeding continues and can lead to ulcers and even cancer. Gastritis is the result of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which infects the stomach. The symptoms include abdominal pain, burping, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Diet
The type of food you eat and the lifestyle you lead has a major impact on the stomach lining. A change in both can result in the reduction of inflammation of the stomach and the recurrence of gastritis. Around 50% of the people in the world suffer from gastritis, which later develops into ulcers or gastric cancer. There is no specific diet to treat gastritis, but eating the proper foods helps in alleviating the symptoms.
Foods to eat
There are certain foods that you can eat to reduce the symptoms of gastritis, like yogurt and broccoli, which reduces and kills the Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
- Broccoli contains sulforaphane, which has antibacterial effects and anti-cancer properties, and it helps in getting relief from the symptoms of gastritis and in bringing down the risk of stomach cancer. There have been fewer cases of infections and stomach inflammation among people who consume broccoli regularly. Yogurt, along with medication, helps to eliminate the H Pylori bacteria as it contains good bacteria that help fight it.
- Other foods that help manage gastritis are herbal teas, honey, olive oil, berries, celery, and apples.
- You can also get relief from changing your eating habits. Instead of 3 large meals, you can eat 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day as eating small amounts reduces the effects of stomach acid.
- Water is the best way to stay hydrated, and it is best to avoid alcohol as it increases the inflammation.
- You can also add things like probiotics and Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, but it is best to talk to your doctor so that they do not interfere with the treatment of other conditions.
- Salty and fatty foods worsen inflammation and irritate the stomach lining, so they are best avoided.
- Smoking should also be avoided as it worsens the symptoms and causes inflammation.
Stress reduction also assists in the healing of the condition and boosts the immune system. Emotional stress increases the production of stomach acid, which can increase inflammation and other symptoms of gastritis.
Risk factors
- Excess consumption of alcohol
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Drug use
- A high-fat, high-salt diet
- Regular usage of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and such. Eliminating or reducing the use of NSAIDs reduces stomach ulcers and gastritis.
