The symptoms of gastritis may last for a long period of time or they may come on suddenly.

You may not experience any symptoms at all (particularly if it is caused by a bacterial infection like the H. pylori infection). However, if it is caused by something else, your symptoms may include:

• Indigestion or heartburn (this is the most common symptom)
• Vomiting, nausea or a recurrent upset tummy
• Burning or gnawing tummy pain between meals or at night
• Feeling full after eating
• Bloating
• Loss of appetite

If the stomach lining has worn away, it is called erosive gastritis. This has some different symptoms because your stomach will be exposed to stomach acid. You may experience:

• Pain
• A stomach ulcer

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention straight away:

• Vomiting content that looks like coffee grounds
• Tarry, black stools
• Red blood in the vomit or stool

The symptoms of gastritis are similar to other conditions, such as a stomach ulcer or IBS, so it may not be gastritis that you are suffering from. A GP will usually be able to make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and medical history or refer you for tests if they need more information before being able to make a diagnosis.

Gastritis has several possible symptoms and causes, so our online doctors will need to get as much information from you as possible to be able to give you an accurate diagnosis.

They will ask about your symptoms, your lifestyle, sleep patterns, stress levels, diet and about any medication that you are on to try and find out the cause.

The questions that the doctor will ask will also help them rule out any other underlying health conditions.

If the doctor can’t diagnose you over the video consultation right away, they may refer you to a specialist for tests to identify the cause of your symptoms, or for further tests.

These tests can include:

• Endoscopy - a flexible tube with a small camera lens at the tip is passed down your throat and into oesophagus and stomach. This can be used to see if there is inflammation and a small sample (biopsy) of the stomach lining may be taken if something unusual is detected.

• A stool test - to identify if you have a stomach infection or have bleeding in your stomach.

• A breath test - to confirm if there is a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection present. The test involves drinking a glass of a tasteless, clear liquid containing radioactive carbon. You’ll blow into a bag and this can then be tested for the bacteria. The infection can also be tested for in a blood or stool test.
• X ray - you will be asked to drink a barium solution, which shows up clearly on X-rays as it travels through your oesophagus, stomach and small intestine, showing any abnormalities.

Gastritis is an inflammation of your stomach lining and can be acute (comes on suddenly and is short term) or chronic (comes on gradually or lasts a long time.) It is pretty common and there are several things that can cause it. These include:

• A helicobacter pylori bacterial infection

Infections caused by helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria are relatively common, but as it does not always cause symptoms, you may not even know that you have it. If you suffer from indigestion on a regular basis, it could be a sign you have the bacteria in your system and the infection will usually last a lifetime unless it is treated.  Speak to one of our caring GPs if this is something you are worried about.

• Taking ibuprofen, aspirin or other painkillers, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• A stressful event
• An infection caused by a bacteria or virus
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Excessive use of cocaine
• Smoking
• Regular vomiting
• An autoimmune reaction, where the body’s immune system attacks the tissues and cells of the stomach lining – this is more common in people who have another kind of autoimmune condition, like type 1 diabetes.
• Being older in age

There are several treatments for gastritis available, ranging from diet and lifestyle changes, to medication. Let’s take a more detailed look at how gastritis can be treated.

If you are suffering from indigestion and tummy pain, you may be able to treat this yourself at home. You can try:

• Eating little and often.
• Lowering your alcohol consumption or stopping drinking completely.
• Limiting or avoiding hot and spicy, fried, fatty or acidic foods (or drinks, such as fruit juices).
• Trying to reduce your stress levels.
• Switching painkillers, if you think that is what is causing your symptoms - you can speak to a doctor for more guidance on this, and whether it is an option for you.

Antacids can be bought over-the-counter and can often provide the relief that you may need. They work by neutralising the acid that is in your stomach.

If these treatments don’t work, there are other options available, including:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
• Histamine 2 (H2) blockers

Proton pump inhibitors and Histamine 2 blockers lower the amount of acid that your stomach produces. These can be more effective than other over the counter and the usual prescription medicines.

Pregnancy can increase your risk of gastritis. If you are pregnant and are experiencing the symptoms of gastritis, it could possibly be due to all of the changes taking place in your body.

If you believe that you have symptoms that are indicative of gastritis, or if you are worried and concerned about the treatments available, then you can speak to one of our caring doctors.

Our GPs will listen to how the symptoms are affecting your day to day life and provide the support and treatment that you need.