Treatment of Gastritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, commonly caused by H. pylori infection, prolonged NSAID use, or excessive alcohol. It can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term) and may lead to peptic ulcers if untreated.
Managing Gastritis effectively requires a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle modification, and regular monitoring. With a structured management plan, most people with Gastritis can maintain a good quality of life and prevent serious complications.
First-Line Treatment Principles
- ✓PPI as cornerstone for acid-related disorders (GERD, peptic ulcer, H. pylori eradication regimens)
- ✓H. pylori eradication: PPI + clarithromycin + amoxicillin (7–14 days); bismuth quadruple if resistance suspected
- ✓IBD: 5-ASA for mild UC; corticosteroids for induction; biologics (anti-TNF, anti-integrin) for moderate-severe
- ✓Hepatitis B/C: antiviral therapy (tenofovir/entecavir for HBV; DAAs for HCV with >95% SVR rate)
- ✓Cirrhosis: treat underlying cause + complications (ascites, varices, HE) systematically
What to Do Now
- Learn your personal risk factors for Gastritis (family history, age, lifestyle)
- Attend regular health check-ups and screening tests appropriate for your age and risk
- Track new or changing symptoms, especially those associated with Gastritis
- Use our AI symptom checker to assess whether your symptoms fit an early Gastritis pattern
- Discuss preventive strategies and early monitoring with your GP
- Build a personalised management plan with your GP or specialist
- Adhere consistently to prescribed medications — do not stop without medical advice
- Adopt a Gastritis-appropriate diet (anti-inflammatory, low-glycaemic, or disease-specific)
Medications Used in Gastritis
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces gastric acid production and is used to treat acid reflux, GERD, and peptic ulcers.
Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces gastric acid production and is used to treat acid reflux, GERD, and peptic ulcers.
Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces gastric acid production and is used to treat acid reflux, GERD, and peptic ulcers.
Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces gastric acid production and is used to treat acid reflux, GERD, and peptic ulcers.
Rabeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces gastric acid production and is used to treat acid reflux, GERD, and peptic ulcers.
Non-Pharmacological Management
- •Dietary modification: low-FODMAP for IBS; gluten-free diet for coeliac disease; low-fat for pancreatitis
- •Alcohol cessation: critical in alcoholic liver disease, pancreatitis, GERD
- •Weight loss: reduces GERD symptoms and improves NAFLD (5–10% weight loss reduces hepatic steatosis)
- •Elevate bed head; avoid late meals; avoid trigger foods in GERD
- •Regular meals; avoid NSAIDs and aspirin (gastric mucosal damage); no smoking
- •Endoscopic surveillance: Barrett's oesophagus, IBD colon cancer screening, cirrhosis for HCC
- •Vaccination: hepatitis A and B for unvaccinated at-risk patients
Treatment Goals
Monitoring Parameters
- ◆LFTs, bilirubin, albumin, INR: liver function — monthly in acute liver disease, every 3–6 months in chronic
- ◆FBC: anaemia (GI bleeding, malabsorption), leucopenia (azathioprine toxicity)
- ◆Faecal calprotectin: non-invasive IBD disease activity monitoring
- ◆Colonoscopy: IBD dysplasia surveillance every 1–5 years depending on duration and extent
- ◆H. pylori test of cure: UBT or stool antigen 4 weeks after eradication therapy
- ◆Hepatic elastography (FibroScan): assess fibrosis progression in chronic liver disease
- ◆Alpha-fetoprotein + ultrasound: HCC surveillance in cirrhosis every 6 months
Red Flags — When to Escalate
- ⚠Any of the characteristic symptoms of Gastritis — even mild — in a high-risk individual
- ⚠Progressive worsening of early warning signs over weeks
- ⚠Laboratory abnormalities (e.g., blood sugar, inflammatory markers) without full symptoms
- ⚠Unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or fatigue persisting >2 weeks
- ⚠Strong family history of Gastritis combined with new relevant symptoms
- ⚠Sudden worsening of Gastritis symptoms despite established treatment
Escalation Criteria
- →Acute GI bleeding: upper GI endoscopy within 24h; resuscitation, IV PPI, haemostatic therapy
- →Acute severe UC (Truelove-Witts criteria) → hospitalisation, IV steroids; escalate to biologics/surgery if no response at 72h
- →Hepatic encephalopathy: lactulose, rifaximin; identify precipitant; assess for transplant listing
- →Acute-on-chronic liver failure: specialist gastroenterology/transplant centre referral
Special Populations
Clinical Insights
Compare With Similar Conditions
Not sure about your symptoms?
Our AI Symptom Checker analyses your symptoms and suggests the most likely diagnoses — including relevant treatment pathways.
Use AI Symptom Checker →