Causes of Gastritis

Gastritis is a medical condition that refers to the irritation, inflammation, or erosion of the stomach lining. It can either be acute (sudden) or chronic (gradual). Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are the most common cause of gastritis. While gastritis is not a severe condition and can be treated effectively with seeking timely medical intervention, if left untreated it can lead to stomach cancer. Take a look at the article to understand the causes of gastritis in depth.

What Causes Gastritis?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are a bacterium that thrives in the stomach's mucous lining and is primarily responsible for causing gastritis. Without treatment, the ulcers caused by this bacterium can lead to stomach cancer. Doctors believe that the vulnerability to the bacterium can be hereditary or caused by poor lifestyle choices like smoking and an unhealthy diet. The other causes of gastritis are as follows —

• Alcohol consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption can irritate and erode the stomach lining, increasing vulnerability to digestive juices and potentially leading to acute gastritis.

• Smoking

Similar to alcohol, smoking can also erode the stomach lining and make it susceptible to bacterial infection.

• Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are commonly used as pain relievers, can lead to both acute and chronic gastritis. Regular use of these drugs or taking them in excess may reduce gastric mucus secretion, a substance that is crucial for protecting the lining of your stomach.

• Old Age

As people age, their stomach lining tends to thin, and they become more susceptible to gastritis caused due to H. pylori infection or because of autoimmune disorders.

• Stress

Severe stress due to injury, major surgery, burns, or severe infection can cause gastritis.

• Cancer

Treatments for cancer, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can also erode the stomach lining and cause gastritis.

• Autoimmune

This is a type of gastritis in which the body attacks the cells that form the stomach lining. This reaction can lead to erosion of the stomach’s protective barrier. People who suffer from autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto’s disease and type 1 diabetes, are more likely to develop autoimmune gastritis. Furthermore, autoimmune gastritis can also cause a deficiency of vitamin B12.

• Chronic Bile Reflux

Bile is a fluid that helps digest food. When the bile goes back to the stomach or food pipe, it can cause gastritis.

• Pernicious Anaemia

When the stomach is unable to digest vitamin B12, it can cause pernicious anaemia, which subsequently causes gastritis.

• Other Diseases

Gastritis can be the side-effect of other diseases like HIV/AIDS, Celiac disease, Crohn’s, Sarcoidosis, and parasitic infections.