Gastritis with areas of atrophy. Atrophic gastritis of the stomach

One of the rarest forms of gastritis is atrophic. As a rule, this form is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms. For this reason, it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first sign and begin treatment. If a patient has had this disease for many years, severe thinning of the mucous membrane occurs, which can cause ulcers and bleeding.

What is atrophic gastritis? Most often, this disease leads to cancer in elderly, middle-aged men, and less often in women. The danger is that the inflammatory process is difficult to notice, since in atrophic gastritis the symptoms do not appear or are not pronounced.

The key word in this disease is atrophy. In simple words, gastric cells present in the secretory glands experience an atrophying process and degeneration. Cells lose their full ability to work and stop producing components gastric juice.

At the initial stage of the disease, the glands transform into simple formations that secrete mucus rather than juice. Most often, atrophic gastritis develops with low acidity of the stomach. Given that mucus is produced, proper digestion is disrupted. The walls become covered with mucus, the internal environment becomes slightly acidic, and sometimes achylia develops. Main danger The fact is that atrophic gastritis is a serious provocateur and stimulator of stomach cancer in the human body.

Is it possible to cure atrophic gastritis? It has been established that it is impossible to completely cure cellular atrophy. However, correct, rational treatment of gastritis, aimed at restoring the mucosa, will reduce the risk of developing cancer. As a preventive measure, you need to follow proper nutrition for atrophic gastritis, use special infusions and decoctions of herbs, and take appropriate medications. Treatment and preventive measures are prescribed by the attending physician.

Symptoms

It is generally accepted that in the first stages, moderately severe atrophic gastritis is represented by an erased, blurred clinic, without characteristic signs. However, later the picture changes, the doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment for atrophic gastritis.

Basically, the symptoms of atrophic gastritis are manifested as follows:

• nausea with vomiting that does not bring relief;
• belching;
• feeling of a full stomach;
• Availability bad taste V oral cavity;
• heartburn;
• painful sensations in epigastric region after eating;
• rumbling and bloating;
• lack of appetite;
• weight loss;
• constipation/diarrhea;
• deficiency of vitamins such as B12, A, C;
• iron deficiency anemia;
• dry skin;
• immunity is significantly weakened, a person catches a cold more often;
• fungal infections of the skin, nails, hair;
• baldness;
• tongue atrophied by plaque;
• gastric juice is poorly produced or vice versa;
• weakness and apathy;
• intestinal pain resembling dysentery.

This disease can be determined using functional, laboratory, instrumental research. It is impossible to obtain complete information regarding pathology based on CT, ultrasound, MRI, and x-rays. The best way to diagnose atrophic gastritis with low acidity is gastroscopy, endoscopy or chromogastroscopy.

Classification of the disease

There are several types this disease, each of which differs in certain symptoms. All types of atrophic gastritis can occur in acute or chronic form.

The main types of disease in atrophic gastritis of the stomach:

Chronic type

It is an independent disease. It is characterized by active atrophy of glandular tissues, where dystrophy prevails over inflammation. Pathogenesis provokes a transformation of motor, absorption, and secretory functions. Others are involved in the process important organs: liver, esophagus, endocrine glands, duodenum. Due to general intoxication of the body, the process affects the nervous system and blood. The chronic type of atrophic gastritis has the following symptoms:

• thick epithelium;
• thinning, smoothing of the gastric mucosa;
• infiltration, leukocytes moderate;
• decreased function of the secretory glands;
• cell degeneration.

Diffuse type

Diffuse atrophic gastritis is accompanied by dangerous changes dystrophic nature, occurring in the body. This type of inflammatory process is considered an intermediate form between the superficial and dystrophic type. The main symptom is that there are local foci of transformation of the gastric glands, and secretory activity is disrupted.

Surface type

Superficial atrophic gastritis is recognized as a harbinger of atrophic inflammation of the stomach. With this type, minimal damage is observed, there are no clear symptoms. The endoscope shows minor changes.

Hemorrhagic type

Hemorrhagic gastritis is considered a type of erosive inflammation that affects large areas and forms many bleeding erosive points and ulcers. Quite often it is called necrotic. This type of disease occurs due to burns, injuries and shock.

Acute type

In acute gastritis, inflammation of the gastric walls is observed. This type is also called active look diseases. Symptoms: diarrhea, fainting, severe pain and vomiting, heat, sometimes coma occurs.

mixed type

Mixed superficial and atrophic gastritis affects the mucous membrane, and there are signs of several types of the disease. Basically, this type of gastritis is observed during pathological processes. The causative agent of the disease is Helicobater. Atrophic and mixed superficial type are not rare types of gastritis. Most often, it occurs due to poor nutrition, stress, strain and lack of sleep. If mixed and atrophic gastritis is not treated in a timely manner, there is a risk of developing cancer.

Features of therapeutic therapy

The main goal of treatment is the need to restore the gastric mucosa. In this case, therapy involves the following stages:

• diet therapy - it is important to eat correctly, balanced, and in small portions;
• usage folk methods, remedies: herbal decoctions, special oils, apitherapy;
• refusal bad habits– smoking, alcohol;
• treatment with medications - vitamins, antibiotics, antacids and analgesics, sedatives and antioxidants;
• recommended Spa treatment, as well as performing special exercises.

The following can be used as medications:

• Karinat;
• De-nol;
• Omeprazole;
• Nolpazu;
• Rennie;
• Almagel;
• Befungin and others.

Popular traditional methods of treatment:

• before breakfast you can eat a special mixture - 1 teaspoon of blueberries, ground with a small amount of sugar;
• Regularly consume decoctions of herbs such as chamomile or mint.

You can take 50 grams of the following components: mint, calendula, St. John's wort, chamomile, dandelion, sage, calamus (root), plantain. Chop all the herbs and mix. 4 tablespoons of the herbal mixture must be brewed in a liter of boiling water. Drink 3 times a day, 100 milliliters.

Sea ​​buckthorn

Treatment and prevention of gastritis with sea buckthorn oil has positive results. The course of treatment continues for 30 days. Take 5 ml before meals. Oil has bactericidal effect, improves metabolism in cells, stimulates the digestive glands.

Herbs

The following is considered an excellent recipe: angelica root, St. John's wort, mint, dill seeds, calamus, eyebright and wormwood must be crushed and brewed in a glass of hot boiled water. Leave for three hours. Take before meals three times a day.

Everyone knows that a bee is a unique insect that produces the most useful and valuable medicines: honey, propolis, bee bread. As for pollen, it has a beneficial effect on intestinal peristalsis, eliminates harmful microflora that are resistant to antibiotics. To treat gastritis, it must be taken with herbal infusions, extracts.

If the acidity is high, take the pollen with the following decoction: mix 2 tbsp. l. dried cucumbers and plantain, 1 tbsp. spoon of knotweed, calamus root, mint and cumin, St. John's wort and centaury, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave in a thermos for 3 hours. Drink ½ cup three times a day with the addition of 1 tsp. pollen.

When atrophic gastritis occurs against a background of low acidity, pollen is taken with honey. The proportion is one to one, consume 3 times a day before meals, 1 tsp. So that the pollen gives all its healing qualities, it is better to infuse it with water. The duration of therapy is 30 days. If necessary, the course is repeated after two weeks.

Hot red pepper

Preparation of the infusion: pour ½ teaspoon of powder into a liter of boiling water, leave until cool. Drink 1 tsp. thirty minutes before meals. It qualitatively cleanses the body of ulcers and kills bacteria.

It is impossible to completely cure the atrophic inflammatory process, but there is a chance to stop its development, thereby avoiding complications. To do this, you need to adhere to proper and regular nutrition, get proper rest, take special medications and use folk remedies. It is important to visit a doctor in a timely manner and undergo examination.

Mixed superficial atrophic gastritis means inflammatory processes stomach, in which several forms of the disease develop in the organ at once. The patient experiences symptoms of different types of disease simultaneously. The causative agent of the pathology is predominantly considered to be the pathogenic microorganism Helicobacter pylori.

Treatment of superficial and atrophic gastritis is ambiguous and individual in each case. The gastroenterologist prescribes therapy only after thorough examination patient.

As a rule, atrophy of the mucous membrane of the digestive organ at first does not have pronounced specific symptoms. Hidden signs seem to the patient a consequence of indigestion or temporary malaise, so many do not pay any attention to rarely appearing pains. Such negligence leads to the most unpleasant consequences, since it is atrophic mixed type most often turns into severe pathologies, creates conditions for cell degeneration.

At risk are:

• those who eat inadequately and irregularly;
• junk food lovers;
• people working in hazardous industries;
• have undergone surgery on the digestive organs;
• lovers of strong drinks and tobacco.

Paying close attention to how your body works will help you avoid complications. In the conditions of aggressive modern pace of life, as well as due to the predominance of artificial additives in food, even a mild regular malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract should be the reason for contacting a specialist.

A person’s health largely depends on himself. Frequent digestive problems should be a reason to visit medical institution in order to undergo a full diagnosis.

Types of pathology

The most common types of mixed inflammations include the following forms:

• superficial mixed;
• mixed atrophic gastritis;
• chronic mixed.

The first option is most often diagnosed in children and adolescents. In adults, this type of pathology is detected less frequently: the disease is silent, and older generation does not pay attention to it until the superficial mixed inflammation of the mucosa passes in its development to the next stage.

Changes inner work organ, leading to a contraction of the excretory glands, cause the formation. Such violations are difficult not to notice, as they constantly attract attention to themselves with a number of painful and unpleasant symptoms.

Absence adequate therapy and neglect of dietary nutrition cause the development of chronic mixed pathology. This stage is almost incurable, but with constant monitoring of nutrition and lifestyle changes, combined with periodic visits to the gastroenterologist, the patient can be provided with a long-term remission.

Causes and symptoms

Apart from bacterial cause, development and atrophic mixed gastritis are promoted by infections transmitted by fecal-oral and by everyday means, chemical burns and mechanical damage. At the very beginning of inflammation, minor changes in the internal layer of the organ occur, which do not have clear symptoms, so the patient ignores them. However, already at this stage, ongoing disorders and damage contribute to the appearance of erosions and stomach ulcers, regardless of the acidity of the digestive juice.

Frivolous neglect of the first symptoms of gastritis of the mixed atrophic type becomes the cause of the formation of the most various complications, some of which can be life-threatening.

Signs to look out for:

• frequent belching;
• pain in the stomach after eating;
• feeling of discomfort;
• constant feeling of hunger or, conversely, lack of appetite;
• unpleasant taste in the mouth;
• regular nausea leading to vomiting;
• flatulence.

Such sensations, especially in the aggregate, indicate serious malfunctions in the digestive system and require mandatory treatment in a hospital setting.

Diagnostics

Mixed atrophic gastritis can be treated only in consultation with a specialist. The disease is rarely detected in the acute phase, since patients seek help when superficial inflammation of the stomach wall has already turned into a chronic pathology.

Before visiting a doctor, it is advisable to make notes about your own feelings. Patients often forget about some symptoms, naming only general and frequently occurring ones. But when it comes to mixed inflammation, every little detail matters.

In addition to listening to complaints about well-being and examining the patient, the doctor will prescribe the following diagnostic procedures:

Only after full examination The patient is diagnosed and treated with medications. Apart from medications, must be installed therapeutic diet, dietary restrictions are specified in detail. Traditional methods healing and strengthening the body must also be agreed with your doctor.

Treatment

Popular medications prescribed for the treatment of stomach diseases are antibiotics (Clabax), antispasmodics (Drotaverine, Buscopan), antacids (Gastal), and secretory function regulators (Omeprazole). Take medications according to the manufacturer's recommendations, strictly observing the dosage and time interval. Therapy includes the use enveloping the stomach agents (Maalox), enzymes (Festal). With ulcerative focal mixed gastritis astringent medications (Vicair) are also prescribed.

The diet for gastritis of mixed atrophic type can be different. Here you need to monitor your body’s reaction to food and trust your own doctor. Despite the fact that the patient has to experience many restrictions in food, his diet should be varied and nutritious.

• no junk food(bread, soda, fast food, spicy, fried);
• only freshly prepared food;
• short intervals between meals;
• compatible products;
• fragmentation and small portions.

If the stomach often hurts before going to bed, the patient is allowed to eat a light dinner before resting at night, consisting exclusively of foods allowed for him. However, this meal should be lighter in comparison with the daily diet.

Relapse Prevention

Patients diagnosed with “mixed superficial gastritis” or “atrophic mixed” should not be given a forecast of complete recovery, since the disease, once it appears, will always try to return. The best way to avoid relapses is to give up bad habits and widely advertised foods that are dangerous to your health, follow a diet, and change your inner state of mind.

Even in ancient times it was believed that the stomach reacts to emotional condition people, therefore it is impossible to keep this organ in order in conditions of constant nervous breakdowns. Thus, effective prevention complications become not only drug treatment, use grandma's recipes, dieting, but also mental health.

The information on our website is provided by qualified doctors and is for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate! Be sure to consult a specialist!

Gastroenterologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences. Prescribes diagnostics and carries out treatment. Study Group Expert inflammatory diseases. Author of more than 300 scientific papers.

The process of inflammation on the mucous surface of the stomach and in its glands, when the number of properly functioning cells is significantly reduced, is called atrophic gastritis. Atrophy of the mucosa and glands causes serious changes in the cells of the stomach, disrupting their structure and subsequently provoking their death. Also, cells quickly cease to perform necessary functions: absorption useful microelements, secretion of mucus and enzymes, there is a risk of pathology transforming into cancer.

The symptoms of the chronic form in women and men are due to a strong contraction of the gastric mucosa, a decrease in the production of gastric juice and poor food processing.

Types of pathological condition

To identify the type of atrophic lesion of the stomach, it is necessary to carry out various instrumental and laboratory examinations organ. The choice of a specific method depends on the location of the lesion and the nature of this lesion. When the disease is neglected, diagnosis will help to exclude stomach cancer.

Such examinations are especially valuable for diagnosing and identifying differences between the diagnosis of atrophic and non-atrophic gastritis of the stomach, their stages and types of inflammation and timely detection such terrible diagnosis like stomach cancer.

• Acute form of atrophic gastritis. This is the so-called stage acute inflammation in the chronic course of the disease. In another way, such inflammation is called the active stage of gastritis.

Symptoms of the pathology include severe pain with vomiting and diarrhea, increased body temperature, sometimes accompanied by clouding of consciousness, fainting and coma. Other symptoms appear depending on general condition body.

1. Chronic form atrophic gastritis. An independent disease that is not a transformation acute form. Sometimes this condition is considered inactive gastritis. It is characterized by a long-term developing atrophy of cells in glandular tissue with simultaneous dystrophic processes. Because of chronic course diseases, it can also affect other organs that are anatomically connected to the stomach - the duodenum, esophagus, or organs functionally connected to the stomach - the liver, endocrine system, pancreas.
2. Focal atrophic gastritis, earlier in medicine it was called antral subatrophic gastritis. The latter term is now obsolete. It is characterized by the formation of pathogenic lesions in the tissues of the stomach. Acute manifestations may begin when the acidity of gastric juice increases. Areas unaffected by the disease compensate for the work of those affected. Thus, focal atrophic gastritis is a new term in medicine, which previously meant subatrophic gastritis. It may manifest itself as intolerance to certain foods, such as dairy, too fatty meat or eggs. Then after eating, heartburn and nausea begin with mild vomiting.
3. Moderate form atrophic gastritis. It bears this name in accordance with the involvement of stomach tissue in pathological processes. Only a portion of functioning cells undergo negative transformation. The symptoms correspond to the manifestations of ordinary dyspeptic disorders– this is pain, discomfort in the epigastric area after eating. But the pain only appears when eating heavy meals and foods.
4. Surface form atrophic gastritis. This manifestation of the disease is considered a harbinger of the atrophic process of inflammation in the stomach. The damage remains minimal, and the symptoms are mild.
5. Antral atrophic gastritis. The antrum in the stomach is located below, connecting to the duodenum. This form is characterized by the formation of scars in the antrum. This gastritis can manifest itself moderately and provoke morning sickness, belching, lack of appetite, weight loss and weakening of the body.
6. Diffuse atrophic gastritis. This pathology is an intermediate link between superficial and severe structural disorders of the stomach tissue. The main symptom is the presence on the mucous membrane of local sites of degeneration of glands and cells with impaired secretion.
7. Atrophic hyperplastic gastritis. This chronic pathology, accompanied by an increase in the volume of the gastric mucosa, and therefore can transform into cancer. atrophic hyperplastic gastritis dangerous and, unfortunately, increasingly common in Lately. The main manifestation is pain in the stomach after eating. The pain is intermittent and paroxysmal. With increasing concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, the patient may suffer from heartburn and belching.

If we talk about the disease non-atrophic gastritis, its main difference is that the pathology develops as a result of the penetration of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium into the stomach. Since the symptoms of the two pathologies are quite similar, they can be easily confused, prescribed wrong treatment, which will not lead to positive results and will only worsen non-atrophic gastritis.

The most common signs lesions in women and men occur in all forms of gastritis. When conducting diagnostics, patients mainly complain of symptoms of atrophic gastritis, such as a feeling of heaviness in the area solar plexus after meal. In addition, the disease is accompanied by the following manifestations to a greater or lesser extent:

• nausea;
• belching, most often accompanies subatrophic gastritis;
• bad breath;
• rumbling in the stomach;
• constipation and diarrhea.

A person may also complain of symptoms that have nothing to do with the functioning of the stomach:

1. weight reduction;
2. lack of vitamins in the body, which is manifested by anemia, the formation of mouth ulcers, headaches and yellowing
3. skin;
4. disruption of hormone production in the body.

Organization and conduct of the treatment process

In order to understand how to treat atrophic gastritis, it should be remembered that therapy involves an integrated approach. Naturally, medications for women and men have a positive effect on the patient’s condition, but they should be taken only during exacerbations. Treatment of atrophic gastritis involves physical therapy, therapeutic massage, prevention in sanatoriums. The whole complex will stop the progression of pathology and prevent the development of diseases such as cancer. She is the one who can become a terrible consequence neglect of the health of the stomach with gastritis.

The patient should not neglect the disease and visit a doctor in a timely manner to monitor his health, since neglect of the pathology causes the risk of developing stomach cancer. Currently, a huge number of methods are known for the treatment and prevention of gastritis.

A proper diet for atrophic gastritis will reduce the risk of the formation of tumors in the stomach and makes it possible to heal the affected areas when subatrophic gastritis develops:

1. First you need to exclude any smoked, pickled or canned foods.
2. IN mandatory You must stop smoking and drinking strong alcoholic beverages.
3. Overeating is prohibited.
4. It is recommended to add a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, natural juices, dairy products and vitamins to your diet.

Don’t forget about controlling your body weight, this applies to both women and men. If possible, the patient should perform simple physical exercise, combat stress, review and develop correct routine day so that time for rest and work balance each other.

Almost always the treatment process is protracted, but under control experienced specialist recovery will come much faster.

Treatment of pathology with blue iodine

More recently, a new medicine has appeared in medicine called blue iodine, which has a beneficial effect on the stomach environment, restoring and healing it. The substance makes it possible to create a protective membrane on the mucous membrane, which helps speed up recovery. Blue iodine therapy is used only as prescribed by a doctor and in a strictly prescribed dosage. Regular iodine contains alcohol, and therefore, it should not be taken orally. Starch mixed with iodine neutralizes the alcohol content and gives the solution Blue colour, hence the new name. The tool perfectly fights with abnormal acidity - high and low.

How Symptoms and Treatment Relate to Decreased Stomach Acid

Gastritis with low acidity is also called hypoacid. It manifests itself as a result of a decrease in the production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach, which is responsible for the disinfection of food entering the body. Disinfection of food in the stomach with normal acidity is a mandatory process, since it may contain many pathogenic microorganisms. The latter cause serious inflammation of the walls of the stomach, constantly maintaining the activity of the inflammatory process.

Gastritis of the stomach with low acidity can also lead to a diagnosis such as cancer, because sometimes very dangerous substances penetrate the organ, from which it has nothing to protect itself.

With low acidity, measures must be taken to restore it. For this, doctors prescribe the appropriate medications:

• Drugs that help fight low acidity by stimulating the production of acid by the walls of the mucosa are Etimizol, calcium gluconate, prozerin, etc.
• To prevent exacerbations, when the condition begins to improve and is characterized by normal acidity, it is recommended to use antispasmodics - no-shpu or its analogue drotaverine.
• Another milestone- this is the restoration of metabolism in the body and an increase in the efficiency of the affected stomach - then doctors prescribe a course of treatment with multivitamin complexes and folic acid.

Also, to combat low acidity, decoctions and natural juices from plantain, lingonberry, St. John's wort, mountain ash are used.

Treatment of atrophic gastritis is also based on proper nutrition, regardless of the patient's gender. But with the organization of food for both women and men, some difficulties may arise. In accordance with the form of the lesion, the doctor prescribes one of four types of diets:

1. Basic diet for atrophic gastritis No. 2. The organization of a complete diet for the patient and stimulation of the activity of the glands is required. All dishes should be boiled, lightly fried, stewed or baked. It is forbidden to eat or cook from chilled foods with a rough texture. This diet allows the intake of meat and fish low-fat dishes, fermented milk products, flour in moderate amount, eggs. In total, it allows for consumption more than thirty types of products that will help organize quality nutrition.
2. Diet No. 1a is prescribed for severe pain. It helps to significantly reduce the burden on digestion. the main objective diets are to reduce the reflex excitability of the gastric mucosa, restoring normal acidity when it is low or high. It is necessary to exclude from the diet foods that stimulate the functioning of stomach receptors. Food should be liquid or pureed, steamed, pureed or boiled. This diet includes 9 main dishes, most of which are puree soups, and if cream, milk and cottage cheese are tolerated, you can also consume them.
3. Diet No. 1 is prescribed to the patient after the signs of the inflammatory process have subsided. It allows you to accelerate the regeneration of lesions of the gastric mucosa, characteristic of the form of subatrophic gastritis. Such nutrition also helps restore gastric secretion and motility. Too cold or hot dishes should be excluded from the diet; foods with high content fiber.
4. Diet No. 4 is prescribed for pronounced enteral symptoms - individual intolerance dairy products. The purpose of such nutrition is to restore the functioning of the stomach by reducing the activity of inflammation in the mucous membrane and combating high or too low acidity. It is important to eat small meals, and after the inflammation has stopped, you can return to a full meal. healthy eating– this is a diet for atrophic gastritis No. 2.

Possibilities of treatment with folk remedies

Treatment of atrophic gastritis folk remedies acceptable, but their use depends on the stage of disease progression. After intensive antibiotic therapy, prevention and treatment can be carried out using traditional recipes.

An excellent medicine is a decoction of flaxseed. A tablespoon of seeds is boiled in boiling water for 5 minutes and infused for approximately 2 hours. Next, the broth is filtered and drunk 1 tablespoon before meals up to 4 times a day.

Experts recommend their patients not to give up freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices - cabbage, tomato, mixed with a few drops of lemon. Such juices should be diluted half and half with boiled water before use.

Any violations in digestive system may lead to serious consequences for the health of the whole body.

The appearance of gastritis in the early stages requires immediate treatment, dieting.

Gastritis with mucosal atrophy can cause significant harm to the entire gastrointestinal tract, since it is one of the most dangerous diseases chronic stage illness.

The consequences of the disease can be oncological diseases, which often result from illness.

What is atrophic gastritis, symptoms and treatment of the disease, more on this.

Description of the disease

A dangerous sign of this disease is the absence of symptoms at the beginning of the pathological process.

The patient does not experience any symptoms, which makes the situation worse. Gastritis with signs of mucosal atrophy is characterized by atrophic degeneration of the cells of the stomach walls.

In this state, they are not able to fully produce gastric juice, losing their functional abilities.

At the first stage, the secretory glands are transformed into simple formations. Instead of gastric juice, they produce mucus. Gastritis with mucosal atrophy develops with low stomach acidity.

The main danger of pathology is the risk of oncological neoplasms in the stomach.

It is impossible to completely cure the atrophic cells of the stomach walls. You can only reduce the risk of cancer.

This requires special drug therapy, special dietary nutrition and a regular diet.

Symptoms

The first stages of atrophic gastritis do not manifest themselves in any way. Many patients note the absence of pain.

The absence of pain can accompany all stages of the development of the pathological process.

The main symptoms include those characteristic of all types of gastritis. Patients often complain of a feeling of heaviness in the solar plexus after eating.

The amount of food consumed is not of fundamental importance. What other symptoms accompany the disease:

• general malaise;
• nausea;
• gagging;
• belching;
• unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• bloating;
• flatulence;
• stool disorders;
• weight loss;
• manifestations of hypovitaminosis;
• disturbances in hormonal metabolism.

Development of the disease

Atrophic gastritis develops in two forms:

• acute;
• chronic.

Both options are characterized by a large loss of the gastric mucous layer, and the synthesis of gastric juice is significantly reduced.

The incoming food is not able to be properly digested and absorbed.

Acute form

The disease is in the acute stage. It is characterized by various signs, among which a pronounced pain syndrome, nausea, vomiting, stool disorders, fever, weakness, general malaise, loss of consciousness.

When exposed to the irritated gastric mucosa of aggressive pathogenic substances, serious consequences are possible.

Death can occur due to severe intoxication of the body. How does this form of gastritis manifest:

• the walls of the stomach swell;
• leukocytes come out vascular boundaries;
• the vessels become overfilled with blood;
• epithelium is disrupted, and erosions are sometimes observed.

Chronic form

In the chronic form of gastritis, atrophy progresses over a long period of time. This independent disease, in which the main role is played not by inflammatory processes, but by dystrophic ones.

During development of this disease The gastric mucosa is affected, motility and gastric secretion are impaired. There is a violation of the suction function.

With the further development of gastritis, the duodenum, esophagus, liver and other important digestive organs suffer.

Pathological process affects the circulatory and nervous system due to intoxication. How does the disease manifest itself during diagnosis:

• the walls of the stomach become thinner;
• the appearance of wide pits;
• the epithelium becomes flat;
• mucous membranes have a smoothed surface;
• weak secretion;
• leukocytes extend beyond the vascular boundaries with moderate intensity;
• glandular cells undergo changes.

Classification of atrophic gastritis

When the first signs of the disease appear, it is necessary to get an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.

An experienced specialist will conduct a set of diagnostic studies, based on which he will determine accurate diagnosis.

The disease comes in several types, and by determining which, the doctor can prescribe the correct treatment.

Atrophic gastritis is divided into:

• focal;
• surface;
• moderate;
• antral;
• diffuse;
• erosive;
• mixed.

Each type of pathology requires careful laboratory and diagnostic studies and properly selected therapy.

Focal gastritis

The disease is manifested by foci of changes in the epithelium of the stomach walls. Atrophic focal gastritis often occurs against the background of increased acidity of gastric juice.

This may be due to compensation for the work of the affected areas by increasing acid production. Other signs of the disease are similar to other types of gastritis:

In the subclinical course of the disease, atrophic focal gastritis occurs against the background of poor tolerance to certain foods.

Superficial gastritis

This stage is initial stage in the development of a chronic inflammatory process.

Superficial gastritis is presented in the form of unexpressed lesions. Patients do not feel any clinical manifestations.

To make an accurate diagnosis, a diagnostic study is required. The results will be revealed during endoscopy.

Superficial gastritis is characterized by moderate disturbances tissue structures, normal thickness of the stomach walls, slight increase cellular secretions.

Moderate gastritis

The pathological process can cause moderate inflammation. With this course of the disease, the cells of the affected organ undergo minor changes. Only histological examination can determine pathology. Analysis determines the quantity healthy cells, reveals changes in the tissues of the stomach.

This form of the disease is similar to dyspeptic disorders. The usual pain syndrome that accompanies acute stage gastritis may be absent.

Patients often feel discomfort in the digestive organs, especially after meals.

Pain sensations may occur after heavy foods: spicy, sour, salty, smoked, fatty, fried foods, marinades.

Antral gastritis

The pathology is characterized by scarring of the lower part of the stomach, located in the area of ​​the duodenum.

It has the following manifestations:

• dull pain localized in the solar plexus;
• morning sickness;
• lack of appetite;
• belching appears after eating;
• weight loss;
• weakness;
• malaise.

Ulcerative lesions often appear in the antrum.

Diffuse gastritis

The disease occurs without pronounced degenerative processes. It is an intermediate stage between superficial and dystrophic.

The main manifestation of the disease is the appearance of foci of degenerated glands of the organ, immature cells with symptoms of impaired secretion.

The pathology is represented by the following symptoms:

• ridges appear on the walls of the organ;
• the pits deepen;
• cellular microstructures are disrupted.

Erosive gastritis

Erosive atrophic gastritis is characterized by the formation of erosions on the surface of the walls of the affected organ.

The clinical picture is not enough to identify the disease. But atrophic erosive gastritis often causes the following symptoms:

• pain syndrome in the affected organ;
• heartburn;
• heaviness in the stomach;
• manifestations of belching;
• stool disorders;
• pain on an empty stomach or after eating.

Mixed gastritis

With this course of the disease, several forms of atrophic gastritis may occur at once.

Hypertrophic, superficial and erosive atrophic gastritis are often combined simultaneously.

Experts say that a patient can develop and experience up to 4 forms of gastritis at the same time.

Classification of focal gastritis

The disease is manifested by inflammation of the gastric mucosa with manifestations of lesions on the surface of the affected organ.

It is diagnosed very often and affects patients with different age category. Patients feel pain in the stomach, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting appear. There can be many such foci.

Gastritis with focal atrophy of the gastric mucosa is divided into several types:

• Focal chronic gastritis. It develops due to improper treatment acute form of the disease or its complete absence. The disease occurs against a background of symptoms similar to oncology. For these reasons, it is very important to consult a specialist in time for a complete diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
• Focal atrophic gastritis. In the first stages it manifests itself as subatrophic damage to the stomach. Next, necrosis of individual cells develops. Affected areas appear in which cells are replaced connective tissues. Atrophy of the mucous membranes develops.
• Focal superficial gastritis. This is the initial stage of the disease. The pathological process has not yet penetrated into the deep layers of the mucosa. Often the pathology is a special form of antral disorder.
• Focal erosive gastritis. It is manifested by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach walls. Lesions with ulcerative or erosive formations form. Timely and comprehensive therapy is required.

Treatment

For effective treatment of gastritis, all the causes that led to the development of the disease must be identified.

The acute stage requires immediate hospitalization. Relapse of the chronic stage requires outpatient treatment prescribed by a therapist or gastroenterologist.

To achieve maximum results, you should adhere to certain rules:

• Compliance special diet and ensuring proper nutrition is the key to a healthy stomach and well-being. It is important to exclude all products containing harmful substances, food colorings, emulsifiers, preservatives and other additives. Consumed food should not be hot, cold, spicy, sour, salty, smoked, fried, fatty. Avoid marinades and heavy foods in favor of a healthy diet.
• If pathogenic bacteria (Helicobacter) are detected, they are prescribed antibacterial drugs for achievement normal condition microflora.
• If the acidity is increased, take drugs that suppress the production of secretions. Histamine blockers are often used.
• If there is insufficient production of enzymes by the pancreas, a complex of auxiliary enzymes is prescribed.
• To reduce the severity of painful manifestations and speed up the process of emptying the gastric cavity, prokinetics are prescribed.
• To reduce acidity and block the unpleasant symptoms of heartburn, take antacids.
• Often resort to folk medicine. It is famous for various medicinal herbs, from which decoctions and infusions are made.

When the first unpleasant symptoms characteristic of atrophic gastritis appear, immediately consult a doctor.

It is important to go through as quickly as possible full diagnostics and laboratory tests of the body.

Based on the results obtained, an accurate diagnosis will be established. The specialist will be able to prescribe treatment.

Such manifestations cannot be left unattended; the consequences can be disastrous. Self-medication is contraindicated.

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Atrophic gastritis is chronic form gastritis, which leads to the disappearance of the parietal cells of the stomach and, as a consequence, to a decrease in the secretion of hydrochloric acid, vitamin B12 deficiency and megaloblastic anemia.

This type of gastritis leads to the fact that the gastric mucosa becomes sharply thinner and the glands atrophy. The onset of the disease is characterized by damage to the fundus of the stomach, then the production of hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen, the enzymes responsible for digestion, is disrupted. After this, the process only gets worse; the stomach is injured by food that gets inside. The area of ​​atrophy depends on the degree of trauma.

Atrophic gastritis is one of the most dangerous forms chronic gastritis. If you don't start implementing in time complex treatment atrophic gastritis, it can quickly develop into stomach cancer.

Focal atrophic gastritis

This type is manifested by the formation of pathological inflammatory foci in the wall of the stomach with a compensatory increase in the function of those parts of the organ that are not affected.

Light forms focal gastritis accompanied by slight discomfort in the epigastric region, a burning sensation and pain after immediately eating. Nausea and a feeling of heaviness can appear not only after a heavy meal, but even after a light breakfast.

If these symptoms are ignored, the disease progresses:

• the patient loses his appetite
• heartburn is added to the initial symptoms,
• pain syndrome intensifies
• person losing weight
• weakness and low-grade fever appear.

Often the course of focal gastritis is accompanied by an increase in the secretion of hydrochloric acid into the lumen of the stomach and an increase in general acidity, as in gastritis with high acidity.

Antral atrophic gastritis

Characterized by the development of atrophy in the antrum - the place where the stomach passes into duodenum. In most cases, mucosal damage occurs first in this section, after which it begins to spread to the rest of the stomach. Cells responsible for mucus production are localized in this area.

The main symptoms of gastritis of the antrum of the stomach, in which this section is deformed and narrowed, are as follows:

• decreased appetite;
• belching with an unpleasant aftertaste;
• nausea;
• heartburn after eating;
• feeling of fullness, heaviness, bloating in the stomach;
• diarrhea (sometimes constipation);
• rumbling in the stomach;
• intense spasmodic pain in the stomach, occurring half an hour to an hour after eating;
• general weakness;
• irritability.

Atrophic changes in this section lead to a cessation of mucus production, which can provoke an increase in stomach acidity, which in turn will eventually lead to the development of peptic ulcers. Scarring of ulcers causes narrowing of the pyloric region.

Causes

Why does atrophic gastritis occur, and what is it? At present, the causes of atrophic gastritis have not been fully studied, but despite this, experts in the field of gastroenterology refer to the following list of supposed factors causing the pathological process:

1. When consumed too hot, spicy foods, too cold, poorly chewed and hot foods.
2. Chemical substances– when it gets into the stomach cavity or when alkali and acid vapors are inhaled, a violent chemical reaction occurs that harms the condition of the gastric mucosa.
3. Having bad habits– alcohol abuse, smoking, frequent use carbonated drinks and coffee also lead to the development of the disease.
4. Medical preparations – long-term use medications can adversely affect the mucous membrane.
5. - the process of throwing contents from the intestines into the stomach. As a result of this process, the mucous membrane is injured, which leads to the occurrence of atrophic gastritis.
6. Also, the occurrence of gastritis can become consequence bacterial infection or autoimmune processes in the body. In the first case, the disease manifests itself due to the proliferation of Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Initially, as a result of their vital activity, superficial atrophic gastritis appears, then it passes into a more serious stage. The second case is characterized by a malfunction of the immune system, when the body “eats” its own cells, which are perceived by the body as foreign.

Atrophic gastritis is dangerous because treatment no longer provides a guarantee of full recovery and recovery. Gastroenterologists assess this form gastritis like precancerous condition. Atrophy of the mucous membrane and endocrine glands of the stomach seriously weakens immune system generally.

The body begins to produce an insufficient amount immunoglobulin, and antibodies that are supposed to fight foreign microorganisms begin to “kill” their cells. Against the background of this process, the patient develops an autoimmune disease.

Symptoms of atrophic gastritis

It is believed that in the first stages of moderately expressed atrophic gastritis, the clinic is erased and has no specific symptoms. But at further stages, symptoms appear, forcing the doctor to think about the pathology of the stomach, and not another organ.

General symptoms of atrophic gastritis in adults:

• loss of appetite;
• heaviness and rumbling in the stomach after eating;
• constant belching (of air) with an unpleasant smell like rotten eggs;
• then constipation, then diarrhea;
• sometimes aching pain in the stomach after eating;
• B12 is deficient and, or;
• polished tongue;
• weakness, sweating, fatigue;
• weight loss by late stages diseases.

Sometimes pain syndrome may occur, when a feeling of discomfort occurs in the form of dull aching pain, especially after eating. However distinctive feature atrophic gastritis is that there may be no pain at all, or they may manifest themselves weakly, almost imperceptibly for a person and, as a rule, transient. Acute pain absent in atrophic gastritis.

Over time, due to malabsorption in the stomach and intestines nutrients and vitamins, patients may experience dry and pale skin, which is due to developed anemia. Due to a lack of vitamin A, vision can deteriorate, and a lack of ascorbic acid can cause increased bleeding of the gums, which will further aggravate the symptoms of anemia.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of atrophic gastritis is based on an analysis of the clinical manifestations of the disease, data endoscopic examination, histological examination of biopsy specimens of the coolant, based on assessment data functional activity stomach and diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Functional diagnosis of atrophic gastritis includes:

• pH measurement, which can be used to determine the secretory ability of parietal cells;
• study of the activity of gastric enzymes and the general proteolytic activity of gastric juice;
  motor function diagnostics digestive tract, based on the results of gastrography.

Daily pH-metry is the “gold standard” for assessing the secretory function of the stomach in atrophic gastritis. Its implementation is necessary to determine the patient’s treatment tactics, prognosis and monitor the effectiveness of therapy. On average, daily pH ranges from 3 to 6.

A mandatory study for any form of gastritis is to determine the presence of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium on the mucous membrane. This study allows you to determine the cause of damage to the mucous membrane of the organ, since in most cases the predisposing factor in the development of atrophic gastritis is a long-term Helicobacter infection.

Treatment of atrophic gastritis

In the case of atrophic gastritis, treatment is prescribed taking into account the stage of the destructive process, the state of secretory function, the general condition of the patient and taking into account concomitant diseases:

1. It is necessary to begin treatment of atrophic gastritis in women and men with changes in diet and diet. The diet is aimed at preventing mechanical trauma to the gastric mucosa, so food should be thoroughly crushed and taken warm. Fatty meats and fish, meat broths, mushrooms, spices and foods that irritate the lining of the stomach should be excluded from the diet - sour, fried, spicy, pickled, smoked, pickles are also removed. In addition, it is not recommended to eat carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol, and easily digestible carbohydrates (chocolate, candy, cakes, baked goods).
2. , if acid-fast bacteria have a significant effect on pathogenesis. Helicobacter pylori eradication methods are constantly being improved.
3. Replacement therapy. In case of serious disturbance of the secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen, it is possible to use natural gastric juice - Abomin, Pepsidil, Acidin-pepsin. As well as preparations of pancreatic enzymes - Mezim, Pankurmen, Creon, Pancreatin.
4. Relieving pain. For severe pain, it is possible to use anticholinergic drugs - Metacin, Platyfillin, Gastrocepin, and antispasmodics - Noshpa, Halidor, Buscopan, Papaverine.
5. Stimulation of stomach muscles. Medicines such as Cerucal, Motilium can be prescribed to improve motor function stomach.

All of the above drugs are prescribed during the active phase of gastric inflammation with symptoms of atrophy. During remission main principle treatment – ​​replenishment of substances missing for proper digestion.

Is it possible to cure atrophic gastritis?

This disease can be cured, but only under medical supervision. Treatment of atrophic gastritis in women and men is prescribed solely taking into account the general health of the patient, stage, state of secretory function, related problems and so on.

Diet

The diet for atrophic gastritis is selected in accordance with the patient’s age, his individual characteristics, stage of the disease and concomitant diseases. It aims to reduce thermal, chemical and mechanical injury stomach.

As a rule, during an exacerbation of the disease, diet No. 1 is prescribed - mechanically, thermally and chemically sparing: meals 5-6 times a day in small portions, mucous pureed puree soups, low-fat broths, crackers, jelly, porridges are consumed.

As signs of inflammation decrease, dietary recommendations become less strict and diet No. 2 is prescribed. Its goal is to restore impaired digestive functions and limit the load on the gastrointestinal tract while maintaining the completeness of the patient’s diet.

Important conditions for this diet, which help stimulate gastric secretion, are strict adherence to the diet, chewing thoroughly food and a calm environment during meals.

Forecast

The prognosis of the disease is worse in patients over 50 years of age - at this age, metaplastic processes develop much faster and more often lead to malignancy.

Great value for full recovery has an early start of treatment, as well as the degree of eradication of the infectious agent. If, during a re-examination after a course of anti-Helicobacter therapy, microorganisms are determined in the gastric contents, then the course should be repeated.

Prevention

Doctors consider the main factor in successful prevention atrophic gastritis timely treatment helicobacter pylori. All that is needed for this is to undergo a special course of treatment, which on average lasts from seven to fourteen days. I usually prescribe three medications to patients, most of them antibiotics.

It is strictly forbidden to personally engage in selection the right medications, as this may be fraught with complications. Only professional doctor is competent in such matters.