An introduction to the treatments for gastritis
Depending on the type of gastritis you suffer from and its cause, there are some steps you can take to help manage it including some dietary, lifestyle, herbal and conventional interventions.
Diet, lifestyle and home remedies
Home remedies and lifestyle habits can be adopted which can help to bring a case of acute gastritis under control or assist in managing chronic gastritis on a long-term basis.
After an initial flare up, you are more susceptible to future occurrences. By implementing some of the following steps you can begin to support your stomach.
- Chew your food - chewing your food properly can help to lessen the load on the digestive system and keep irritation to a minimum. It may also be helpful to eat smaller meals, more frequently, rather than consuming large meals. Read our blog to learn more about the benefits of chewing your food
- Avoid certain foods – in order to prevent future bouts of gastritis (and most certainly if it is present) there are certain foods that you may want to consider limiting. Some examples include: meat, fatty foods, salty foods, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks. Many of these are acid-producing foods which are likely to add to stomach upset. Try some new dinner ideas and incorporate some wholesome, fresh ingredients into your meals
- Include certain foods – early research has suggested that broccoli sprouts may help to defend against the bacteria H. Pylori which is a common culprit in chronic gastritis1. Incorporating plenty of fresh ingredients into your diet is generally a good idea. In particular, ginger, garlic and turmeric are considered to be antimicrobial and can be a nice addition to your meals. These are also available in supplement form too.
Natural remedy
Digestisan is a herbal bitters tincture which helps to support digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes. Take Digestisan 5-10 minutes before a meal, up to three times a day, to relieve symptoms such as indigestion and feelings of fullness.
Silicol gel contains silicic acid which helps to coat the digestive system, creating a protective barrier throughout. It also has the ability to bind pathogens and move them along for excretion.
Conventional treatments
Most cases of gastritis are relatively short-lived and easily managed; however, if home or natural remedies fail to help or your symptoms are particularly severe (bleeding is apparent) or long-lasting, a trip to your doctor is recommended.
If H.pylori is found to be the cause, specific antibiotic medication can be prescribed to tackle this.
To aid in the healing process medication to reduce stomach acid such as antacids may be required.
1. Yanaka, A. et al (2009) Dietary sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts reduce colonization and attenuate gastritis in Helicobacter pylori-infected mice and humans. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2: 353–360
