What is and how to treat superficial antral gastritis

Inflammation of the pyloric part of the stomach (superficial antral gastritis) is a chronic disease and occurs only in cases of advanced acute gastritis.

The human stomach has an elongated shape and is conventionally divided in medicine into 3 sections - upper, body of the stomach (middle) and lower. The antrum (also known as pyloric) is the lower section. In it, food is ground, bicarbonates are produced, which break down food, as well as mucus, which covers the gastric mucosa to prevent injury to it by hydrochloric acid. From this section, food moves to the small intestine.

Causes

The superficial type in question affects the upper layer of the stomach and is considered in the medical community to be the easiest to treat.

Superficial antral gastritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the stomach that spreads exclusively to its mucous membrane without damaging the deeper layers.

For the disease to begin and develop, the body must be infected through products, insufficiently sterile endoscopic instruments, or orally with the pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori (95 out of 100 cases of antral gastritis). You can get sick due to a number of provoking factors:

• stress;
• unhealthy diet (spicy and sour foods, carbonated drinks, excessively cold or hot dishes, etc.);
• excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• autoimmune causes (the body produces a different amount of antibodies to its own cells of the antrum mucosa)
• some diseases (diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, etc.);
• smoking;
• excessive physical activity.

Since the acute stage of gastritis often remains uncured, it turns into chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane.

If the disease is neglected or improperly treated, complications may develop, including malignancy.

The main cause of the pathology

The main provoking factor in hypertension is damage to the digestive system by Helicobacter pylori. The pathogenic microorganism exhibits active vital activity with increased acidity of gastric juice. Reduced levels for bacteria of this type are an unfavorable environment. The waste products of Helicobacter pylori irritate and destroy the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. The consequence is the development of the inflammatory process.

Provoking factors:

• 
  uncontrolled use of antibiotics;

• consequences of injuries to the digestive system;
• chronic diseases of the kidneys and hematopoietic system;
• alcohol abuse and smoking;
• violation of diet (overeating, snacking);
• consequences of diabetes;
• complications resulting from the progression of food allergies;
• frequent stressful situations and excessive mental sensitivity;
• advanced infectious diseases;
• critical metabolic disorders.

Symptoms of antral gastritis

The initial stage is most often hidden. Heartburn, heaviness in the stomach, and bloating may occur.

In the chronic stage, nausea, hunger pain in the stomach or a couple of hours after eating, constipation or diarrhea are added.

During a visual examination, the doctor may notice a coated tongue, bad breath, and soreness in the epigastric region on the left.

This disease affects the general condition in the form of negative manifestations: weakness, apathy, heart pain, hypotension. In pregnant women with a previous history of gastritis, toxicosis may increase. An indirect sign of the disease in newborns is frequent regurgitation.

Symptoms often resemble gastric ulcers, so a careful differential diagnosis is necessary.

Weight loss occurs only with the development of a deep inflammatory process in the later stages.

In order to combine the signs, symptoms and treatment for superficial antral gastritis, it is necessary to conduct a number of additional studies to confirm or refute the suspected diagnosis (FGDS, obtaining histological data with identification of the pathogen).

Signs and treatment of antrum gastritis (antral gastritis)

The course of the disease can be acute or chronic. In the acute course, the signs of pathology are more clearly expressed, so patients more often seek help at the beginning of the development of the disease. This allows you to prevent the disease from becoming atrophic. The chronic course is the most insidious, since signs and symptoms rarely make themselves felt while the lesion affects only the superficial layer of the mucosa.

In order to start treatment in a timely manner, it is important to know the first symptoms indicating the development of a serious disease. The superficial type of inflammation, as the initial stage of pathology, has practically no characteristic symptoms. As long as the inflammatory process has not affected the deep tissues and the basic functions of the pyloric region are not impaired, the stomach is able to cope with its responsibilities.

The main signs of antrum gastritis are:

When the disease affects a large area of ​​the pylorus, signs of gastric bleeding may appear.

• Pain in the epigastric region of increasing nature: at first, pain appears only in connection with eating, about an hour and a half after eating. With further tissue damage, hunger pains appear, most typical in such forms as atrophic and focal;
• belching with an unpleasant aftertaste: damage to the secretory glands and their inability to reduce acidity provokes stagnation of the food bolus, which causes increased oxidation;
• discomfort and feeling of heaviness: decreased motor skills and evacuation function leads to a constant feeling of heaviness after eating;
• Dyspeptic symptoms: (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation) are initially mild. The superficial stage of the disease rarely leads to such manifestations. They manifest themselves more vividly and painfully when erosive or atrophic types of lesions develop.

When the disease affects a large area of ​​the pyloric region, signs of gastric bleeding may appear, such as vomiting of scarlet blood, pale skin, rapid pulse and low blood pressure.

Antrum gastritis treatment

Effective treatment is possible only with an individual and comprehensive approach to drawing up a regimen and selecting medications and auxiliary methods. Particular attention is paid to the selection of antibacterial drugs. Treatment with antibiotics should be effective against bacteria that cause inflammation, and at the same time not disturb the balance of the natural flora of the stomach.

Adjusting your diet and eating habits is of great importance. The selection of products and processing methods should be selected according to an individual scheme with the direct participation of a nutritionist. The duration of treatment for each form of antrum gastritis also does not have clear deadlines. In each individual case, treatment measures continue depending on the shape, size of the lesion and the neglect of the process.

Types of antral gastritis

Gastritis of the antrum occurs differently depending on the type and is divided into:

1. Acute - exposure to various factors (bacterial, food, chemical) on the human body;
2. Chronic - a complication of the acute form of gastritis.

The chronic form can occur with varying degrees of severity:

• superficial gastritis of the antrum of the stomach (affects only the mucous membrane without disrupting secretory function);
• erythematous (dark pink rashes form on the mucous membrane);
• erosive (appearance of small ulcers - erosions);
• hyperplastic (with growth and thickening of the mucosa);
• granular (a variant of the hyperplastic form with the appearance of cysts up to 1.5-2 cm in size);
• follicular (blockage of glands that secrete bicarbonates);
• focal superficial gastritis of the antrum (damage to the epithelium only in some areas);
• atrophic (the most dangerous form, preceding tumors, when gastric insufficiency develops).

Biopsy what is it

A biopsy is a very accurate research method, but its result directly depends on the quantity and quality of the material taken. Endoscopic forceps open only 5-6 mm; when taking a biopsy, a piece of tissue up to 2-3 mm is taken, while the total area of ​​the stomach is 500-800 cm 3. A piece taken from only one edge will not completely exclude a malignant process , which can develop from the opposite side.

For a high-quality and complete histological examination, multiple biopsies are required, and to assess the spread of the process, tissue sampling in all parts of the stomach is necessary. A biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which tiny particles of tissue (biopsy) are taken from a “suspicious” location, for example, a tumor, polyp, or long-term non-healing ulcer.

Biopsy is a very accurate research method, but its result directly depends on the quantity and quality of the material taken

Depending on where the biopsy is taken from, different instruments are used. This can be a thick needle, an endoscope (when examining the esophagus or stomach), a light guide (during bronchoscopy), or a regular scalpel (during surgery).

The main purpose of a biopsy is to determine whether the process to be fought is benign or malignant. This procedure is also used when monitoring the treatment of cancerous tumors.

Stomach biopsy for gastritis

A biopsy of the stomach is done during an endoscopic examination - gastroscopy. This is a very important study for the final verification of diseases such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastric polyp, gastroesophageal reflux, and various forms of gastric cancer.

A biopsy of the mucous membrane allows one to distinguish between acute gastritis, chronic gastritis and gastropathy. In particular, they can both confirm and refute previously received information

A biopsy of the gastric mucosa can reliably distinguish changes that occur in tissues during gastritis. With its help, you can determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the body, which is the etiological factor of gastritis, as well as verify gastritis, its type and degree of activity. A biopsy of stomach tissue allows us to draw a clear line between peptic ulcers and malignant neoplasms, which is very important because sometimes cancer can hide under the guise of an ulcer.

It is impossible to do without a biopsy if there is a suspicion of cancer, especially in patients with a family history. In addition to making a final diagnosis, this procedure will help the doctor determine the type of treatment being performed (drug, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy), and to what extent surgical intervention will be performed if necessary.

Treatment

Superficial gastritis of the antrum is a disease that is easy to cure with the right treatment regimen.

The easiest option is treatment in the early stages of the disease, when symptoms are just beginning to appear and the inflammatory process has not affected the deeper layers. But since a person experiences discomfort and pain at the stage of chronic inflammation, the therapy becomes more intense.

Treatment of superficial antrum gastritis must be entrusted to a specialist who will prescribe medications and select a diet.

An effective combination of medications, traditional methods, diet and further recovery with the help of exercise therapy (electrophoresis, mud therapy and paraffin therapy).

Often drug treatment is combined with traditional methods.

Medication

The treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor is based on the following:

1. Antispasmodics (No-shpa, Spazgan, Buscopan) to relieve pain symptoms.
2. Antibiotics if Helicobacter bacteria are detected (clarithromycin, tetracycline, ampicillin).
3. Enveloping agents (De-Nol, Phosphalugel).
4. Antacids to reduce stomach acidity (Omeprazole, Gaviscon).
5. Means for restoring the microflora of the stomach and intestines (Bion-3, Bifidumbacterin, Primadophilus).
6. B vitamins.

Folk remedies

Traditional recipes are often used to treat antral gastritis. Their combination with drug treatment under the supervision of a doctor is especially successful.

It is recommended to consume infusions of chamomile, linden, burdock root, calamus root, flax seeds, 0.5 cups warm, 3 times a day.

Well restores the inflamed gastric mucosa by consuming:

• potato and cabbage juice (half a glass half an hour before meals for 10 days);
• fresh aloe juice (1 tsp half an hour before meals for a month);
• sea ​​buckthorn oil (1 tsp 2 times a day, morning and evening before meals for a month);
• propolis tincture (20 drops in half a glass of water 20 minutes before meals).

Types of pathology

There are several types of disease:

• superficial antral - the lesion affects the upper layer of the gastric mucosa without penetrating deeper, which means that scars do not appear on the surface;
• erosive antral - this form is also called subatrophic, dangerous inflammation in which tissue erosion occurs;
• hyperplastic - accompanied by an increase in mucous tissue, cystic formations and polyps appear;
• antral atrophic - a serious disease that precedes the development of cancer;
• superficial focal antral gastritis - with its development, atrophied areas appear, the disease develops into an atrophic form.

Stages of the disease

Depending on the time of the disease, the quality of treatment and the condition of the stomach, the stage of development of the disease can be determined.

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Proper nutrition

A balanced diet is the basis for the treatment of superficial antral gastritis. Patients must adhere to the following rules:

• fractional meals in small portions 5-6 times a day;
• food should not be hot or cold;
• during an exacerbation, it is better to eat pureed and chopped foods;
• exclude hot sauces and seasonings, pickles and marinades, fatty and fried foods, smoked foods;
• quitting smoking and alcohol;
• maintain a drinking regime and drink at least 1.6 liters of water per day.

The preferred methods of preparing dishes for patients should be stewing, baking, boiling and steaming. During the period of exacerbation, you must strictly follow the diet. The ban also applies to sour berries, strong coffee or tea, carbonated drinks and fruit juices.

The diet of a person suffering from antral gastritis should consist of pureed and slimy vegetarian soups, fish and low-fat meats, cream and milk of minimal fat content, pureed porridges. You need to stick to the diet for several months until recovery occurs or symptoms disappear.

Symptoms of gastropathy

After clinical studies are carried out and tests are submitted to the laboratory, the doctor diagnoses the form of the disease. The epithelial layer of cells located on the inner surface of the stomach serves as a protective barrier - mucus forms on it, which prevents hydrochloric acid from corroding the tissue.

By determining how damaged the walls of the stomach are, it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis of what kind of disease the patient has.

Diagnostics

Identification of the disease in question includes a number of examinations, both laboratory and instrumental. Patients undergo a blood test for general and biochemical parameters. Leukocytosis and an increase in ESR will help identify pathology. An important blood indicator is the level of bilirubin and protein, as well as transaminase.

Instrumental examination methods include:

1. Ultrasound examination of internal organs. Necessary for differential diagnosis.
2. Fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS). Allows you to identify all changes and defects on the surface of the gastric mucosa.
3. Breath test. It is carried out to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach.

Based on these data, the extent of spread of superficial antral gastritis is determined. The disease can be mild, moderate or severe.

Why does the disease occur?

One of the main factors that lead to the development of superficial gastritis in the antrum is infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. This pathogen produces substances that block the protective properties of gastric mucus, which leads to an increase in the concentration of hydrochloric acid, which destroys the surface layer of the stomach. The disease often develops against the background of duodenogastric reflux.

Contribute to the development of antral gastritis:

• poor nutrition with an excess of spicy and fatty foods;
• habit of eating hot food;
• uncontrolled and long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• long-term treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs and salicylates;
• smoking and drinking alcohol;
• chronic renal failure;
• endocrine pathologies;
• stress and neuroses;
• chronic infections.

Therapeutic measures for superficial antrum

Official, as well as traditional medicine, offers its own methods for treating this disease. Particular attention is paid to the prescription of medications:

• antisecretory proton pump blockers: Omeprazole, Lansoprazole and their analogs;
• antacid drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid: Almagel, Rennie, Gaviscon, etc.
• antiemetic drugs - they are included in treatment if the patient is bothered by nausea and vomiting;
• broad-spectrum antibiotics - prescribed if the test reveals Helicobacter Pylori;
• drugs with analgesic and antispasmodic effects - help get rid of severe pain (Analgin, Drotaverine).

Therapeutic measures can be supplemented with the use of traditional recipes, but only after consultation with your doctor. Among the effective means are the following:

1. Calendula infusion. Dried flowers are poured with boiling water, covered and left for 2-3 hours. The strained liquid is taken 30 minutes before each meal.
2. Propolis tincture with alcohol is a natural antibacterial agent that can be bought at any pharmacy. 25 drops of tincture are added to 1/2 glass of milk and drunk 1 hour before meals.
3. Kombucha has a pronounced antibacterial effect; for gastritis, drink it 1.5 hours before meals 3 times a day.
4. Freshly squeezed potato juice helps relieve pain, eliminates heartburn, and promotes healing of mucous surfaces. You should prepare juice from several potatoes to make a glass of liquid and drink it within a quarter of an hour so that the beneficial properties of the vegetable do not have time to disappear.
5. A mixture of aloe and honey - this remedy is recommended if you are bothered by pain and other unpleasant symptoms. The pulp from the fresh leaves of the plant is poured with honey in a 1:1 ratio; the medicine should be taken 3 times a day, always with a glass of cool water.

Important information: Methods for preventing gastritis

Usually, treatment quickly relieves patients from the manifestations of gastritis. But you should completely follow the regimen and not stop therapy. In addition, to exclude relapses, the patient will have to reconsider his diet.