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 signs and begin treatment. If the patient has had this ailment for many years, there is a strong thinning of the mucous membrane, which can cause an ulcer, bleeding.

What is atrophic gastritis? Most often, this disease leads to cancer in elderly, middle-aged men, less often in women. The danger lies in the fact 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 that are part of the secretory glands experience an atrophying process and rebirth. Cells lose their full ability to work, stop producing components gastric juice.

At the initial stage of the disease, the glands are transformed into simple formations that secrete mucus, not juice. Most often, atrophic gastritis develops with low acidity of the stomach. Given the fact that mucus is produced, complete digestion is disturbed. The walls become covered with mucus, the internal environment becomes slightly acidic, sometimes achilia develops. Main danger is that atrophic gastritis is a serious provocateur, a stimulator of stomach cancer in the human body.

Can atrophic gastritis be cured? It has been established that it is impossible to completely cure cell atrophy. However, the 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 pronounced atrophic gastritis is represented by an erased, blurred clinic, without characteristic signs. However, in the future, 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;
• pain 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;
• dryness of the skin;
• immunity is significantly weakened, a person catches a cold more often;
• fungal infections of the skin, nails, hair;
• baldness;
• tongue atrophied by plaque;
• poorly produced gastric juice or vice versa;
• weakness and apathy;
• intestinal pains resembling dysentery.

This disease can be determined using functional, laboratory, instrumental research. It is impossible to obtain complete information regarding the pathology based on CT, ultrasound and MRI, 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 is characterized by 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 the transformation of motor, suction, secretory functions. Others are involved in the process. important organs: liver, esophagus, endocrine glands, duodenum. Due to the general intoxication of the body, the process affects the nervous system, 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 character flowing 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, secretory activity is disturbed.

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 vivid symptoms. The endoscope shows minor changes.

Hemorrhagic type

Hemorrhagic gastritis is considered a type of erosive inflammation that affects large areas, forms a lot of 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 view diseases. Symptoms: diarrhea, fainting, severe pain and vomiting, heat sometimes coma occurs.

mixed type

Mixed superficial and atrophic gastritis affects the mucous membrane, while there are signs of several varieties of the disease. Basically, this type of gastritis is observed in pathological processes. The provocateur of the disease is Helicobather. Atrophic and mixed superficial type are not rare types of gastritis. Most often, it occurs due to malnutrition, stress, workload and lack of sleep. If mixed and atrophic gastritis is not treated in a timely manner, there is a risk of developing oncology.

Features of therapeutic therapy

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

• diet therapy - it is important to eat correctly, balanced, fractionally;
• usage folk methods, means: decoctions of herbs, special oils, apitherapy;
• rejection bad habits- smoking, alcohol;
• medication treatment - vitamins, antibiotics, antacids and analgesics, sedatives and antioxidants;
• recommended Spa treatment and performing specific exercises.

As medicines, you can use:

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

Popular folk methods of treatment:

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

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

Sea ​​buckthorn

Treatment, prevention of gastritis with sea buckthorn oil has positive results. The course of admission continues for 30 days. Take 5 ml before meals. Oil renders 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. Infuse for three hours. Take before meals three times a day.

Everyone knows that the 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 resistant to antibiotics. To treat gastritis, it must be taken with herbal infusions, extracts.

If the acidity is increased, pollen is taken with the following decoction: mix 2 tbsp. l. cudweed and plantain, 1 tbsp. spoon highlander, 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 three times a day for ½ cup with the addition of 1 tsp. pollen.

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

Hot red pepper

Preparation of infusion: Pour ½ teaspoon of powder with a liter of boiling water, leave to cool. Drink 1 tsp. thirty minutes before meals. Qualitatively cleanses the body of ulcers, 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 must adhere to proper and regular nutrition, have a good rest, take special medications and use folk remedies. It is important to visit a doctor in a timely manner, undergo an 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 the disease at the same time. The pathogenic microorganism Helicobacter pylori is mainly considered the causative agent of pathology.

Treatment of superficial and atrophic gastritis is ambiguous and in each individual case individually. 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 goes to severe pathologies, creates conditions for cell regeneration.

At risk are:

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

Careful attention to the work of your body will help to 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 for a complete diagnosis.

Types of pathology

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

• surface mixed;
• mixed atrophic gastritis;
• chronic mixed.

The first option is most often diagnosed in children and adolescents. In adults, this type of pathology is found less often: the disease proceeds quietly, 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 household way, chemical burns and mechanical damage. At the very beginning of inflammation, minor changes occur in the inner layer of the organ, which do not have clear symptoms, so the sick person ignores them. However, already at this stage, the 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 mixed atrophic type causes 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 in a hospital.

Diagnostics

It is possible to treat mixed atrophic gastritis only in consultation with a specialist. The disease is rarely detected in the acute phase, as patients seek help when superficial inflammation of the stomach wall is already turning into a chronic pathology.

Before visiting a doctor, it is advisable to make notes about your own feelings. Often, patients forget about some of the symptoms, naming only the general and often manifested. But when it comes to mixed inflammation, every little thing counts.

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

Only after complete examination The patient is diagnosed and prescribed medication. Apart from medications, must be installed therapeutic diet dietary restrictions are discussed in detail. Folk methods recovery and strengthening of the body must also be agreed with the doctor.

Treatment

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

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

• no junk food(baking, soda, fast food, spicy, fried);
• only freshly prepared food;
• small 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 a night's rest, consisting exclusively of foods allowed to him. However, this meal should be lighter than the daily diet.

Prevention of relapses

Patients with a diagnosis of "mixed superficial gastritis" or "atrophic mixed" should not make a prediction about a 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 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, so it is impossible to keep this body in order in conditions of constant nervous breakdowns. Thus, effective prevention complications are not only drug treatment, the use grandmother's recipes, dieting, but also mental health.

The information on our website is provided by qualified doctors and is for informational purposes only. Do not self-medicate! Be sure to contact a specialist!

Gastroenterologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences. Prescribes diagnostics and conducts 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 the necessary functions: absorption beneficial trace elements, secretion of mucus and enzymes, there is a risk of transforming the pathology 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.

Varieties of the pathological condition

To identify the type of atrophic lesions 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 pathology include severe pain with vomiting and diarrhea, an increase in body temperature, sometimes accompanied by clouding of consciousness, fainting and coma. Other symptoms appear depending on general condition organism.

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 associated with the stomach - this is the duodenum, esophagus, or organs functionally associated with the stomach - the liver, endocrine system, pancreas.
2. Focal atrophic gastritis, earlier in medicine it was called antral subatrophic gastritis. Now the last term is obsolete. It is characterized by the formation of pathogenic lesions in the tissues of the stomach. Acute manifestations can begin with an increase in the acidity of gastric juice. Areas unaffected by the disease compensate for the work of the affected. So, focal atrophic gastritis is a new term in medicine, which used to mean subatrophic gastritis. It can be manifested by intolerance to certain foods, such as milk, too fatty meat or eggs. Then, after eating, heartburn and nausea with weak vomiting begin.
3. moderate form atrophic gastritis. It bears this name in accordance with the involvement in the pathological processes of the tissues of the stomach. Only a part of functioning cells undergoes negative transformation. Symptoms are consistent with those of the common dyspeptic disorders- this is pain, discomfort in the epigastric zone after eating. But the pain manifests itself only under the condition of 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. Damage remains minimal, and symptoms are mild.
5. Antral atrophic gastritis. The antrum in the stomach is located below, connecting with the duodenum. This form is characterized by the formation of scars in the antrum. This gastritis can manifest itself moderately and provoke nausea in the morning, 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 disorders of the structure of the stomach tissues. The main symptom is the presence on the mucosa of local places 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, therefore, it can be converted 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 of non-atrophic gastritis, then its main difference is that the pathology develops as a result of the penetration of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria into the stomach. Since the symptoms of the two pathologies are quite similar, they can be easily confused, prescribe wrong treatment, which will not lead to positive results and only exacerbate non-atrophic gastritis.

Most frequent signs lesions of women and men occur in all forms of gastritis. During the diagnosis, patients mainly complain of such symptoms of atrophic gastritis 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.

Also, a person may complain of symptoms that are in no way related to the work of the stomach:

1. weight reduction;
2. lack of vitamins in the body, which is manifested by anemia, the formation of ulcers in the mouth, headaches and yellowing
3. skin cover;
4. violation of the production of hormones 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 the implementation of an integrated approach. Naturally, drugs 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 physiotherapy, therapeutic massage, prevention in sanatoriums. The whole complex will stop the progression of pathology and prevent the development of a disease such as cancer. It is she who can become terrible consequence triggering the health of the stomach with gastritis.

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

The correct diet for atrophic gastritis will reduce the risk of tumor formation in the stomach and makes it possible to heal the affected lesions when subatrophic gastritis develops:

1. To begin with, you will need to exclude any smoked, pickled or canned foods.
2. IN without fail It is required to 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 the diet.

Do not forget about the control of body weight, this applies to both women and men. If possible, the patient should perform simple physical exercise, deal with stress, review and develop correct routine days, so that the time for rest and work balances each other.

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

Treatment of pathology with blue iodine

More recently, a new drug called blue iodine has appeared in medicine, 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 to accelerate recovery. Blue iodine therapy is used only as prescribed by the doctor and in the dosage strictly prescribed by him. 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. It requires the organization of a complete diet for the patient and stimulation of the activity of the glands. 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 meals, fermented milk products, flour in moderate amount, eggs. In total, it allows for the use of more than thirty types of products that will help organize high-quality nutrition.
2. Diet number 1a is prescribed for severe pain. It helps to significantly reduce the burden on digestion. the main objective diet is to reduce the reflex excitability of the gastric mucosa, restore normal acidity with low or high. From the diet, you need to exclude products that stimulate the work of the receptors of the stomach. Food should be liquid or mashed, cooked in a double boiler, pureed or boiled. This diet includes 9 main dishes, most of which are mashed soups, and if you can tolerate cream, milk and cottage cheese, you can also use them.
3. Diet No. 1 is prescribed to the patient after stopping the signs of the inflammatory process. It allows you to accelerate the regeneration of lesions of the gastric mucosa, characteristic of the form of subatrophic gastritis. Such nutrition also helps to restore the secretion and motility of the stomach. Too cold or hot dishes should be excluded from the diet, foods with great content fiber.
4. Diet number 4 is prescribed for pronounced enteral symptoms - individual intolerance dairy products. The purpose of such nutrition is to resume the work of the stomach by reducing the activity of inflammation on the mucous membrane and combating high or too low acidity. It is important to eat fractionally, and after stopping inflammation, you can return to a full-fledged diet. healthy eating- This is a diet for atrophic gastritis No. 2.

Opportunities for treatment with folk remedies

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

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

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

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 ailment.

The consequences of the disease can be oncological diseases which are often the result of 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 aggravates the situation. 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 acidity of the stomach.

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

It is impossible to completely heal the atrophic cells of the walls of the stomach. You can only reduce the risk of oncological processes.

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 signs 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 does not play a fundamental role. What other symptoms accompany the disease:

• general malaise;
• nausea;
• gagging;
• belching;
• bad breath 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 variants are characterized by a large loss of the gastric mucosa, the synthesis of gastric juice is significantly reduced.

The incoming food is not able to be digested and assimilated normally.

acute form

The disease is in the stage of exacerbation. It is characterized 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 itself:

• the walls of the stomach swell;
• leukocytes come out vascular boundaries;
• the vessels are filled with blood;
• there is a violation of the epithelium, sometimes erosion is noted.

Chronic form

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

With the development this disease the gastric mucosa is affected, motility, gastric secretion are disturbed. 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 blood and nervous system due to intoxication. How the disease manifests itself in the diagnosis:

• the walls of the stomach become thinner;
• the appearance of wide pits;
• the epithelium becomes flat;
• mucous membranes have a smooth surface;
• weak secretion;
• leukocytes go 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, on the basis of which he will put accurate diagnosis.

The disease can be of several types, having determined which, the doctor can prescribe the right treatment.

Atrophic gastritis is divided into:

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

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

Focal gastritis

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

This may be due to the compensation of the work of the affected foci by increasing the production of acid. 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 of 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.

Diagnostic testing is required to make an accurate diagnosis. The results will be revealed during endoscopy.

Superficial gastritis is characterized by moderate disturbances tissue structures, normal thickness of the walls of the stomach, slight increase cell 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. Pathology can only be determined by histological examination. Analysis quantifies healthy cells, reveals changes in the tissues of the stomach.

This form of the disease is similar to dyspeptic disorders. Habitual pain syndrome accompanying acute stage gastritis may be absent.

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

Feelings of pain may appear after heavy meals: spicy, sour, salty, smoked, fatty, fried foods, marinades.

Antral gastritis

Pathology is characterized by scarring of the lower part of the stomach, located in the region of the duodenum.

It has the following manifestations:

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

Ulcerative lesions often appear in the antral region.

Diffuse gastritis

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

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

Pathology is represented by the following symptoms:

• rollers 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.

Often, hypertrophic, superficial and erosive atrophic gastritis are combined simultaneously.

Experts say that the patient can develop and proceed 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 foci on the surface of the affected organ.

It is diagnosed very often, affects patients of different age category. Patients feel pain in the stomach, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting appear. There may 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 the background of symptoms similar to oncology. For these reasons, it is very important to contact a specialist in time for a complete diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
• Focal atrophic gastritis. At the first stages, it manifests itself as a subatrophic lesion of the stomach. Further, 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, pathology is a special form of antral disorders.
• Focal erosive gastritis. It is manifested by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the walls of the stomach. Foci of lesions with ulcerative or erosive formations are formed. Timely and complex therapy is required.

Treatment

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

The acute stage requires immediate hospitalization. Chronic stage recurrence requires outpatient treatment prescribed by a general practitioner or gastroenterologist.

To achieve maximum performance, you should follow 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. Refuse marinades and junk food in favor of a healthy diet.
• If pathogenic bacteria (helicobacter) are detected, they are prescribed antibacterial drugs for achievement normal state microflora.
• If the acidity is increased, take drugs that suppress the production of secretions. Histamine blockers are often used.
• With insufficient production of enzymes by the pancreas, a complex of auxiliary enzymes is prescribed.
• To reduce the severity of painful manifestations and accelerate the process of emptying the stomach cavity, prokinetics are prescribed.
• Antacids are taken to reduce acidity and block the unpleasant symptoms of heartburn.
• They often resort to traditional medicine. She is famous for her various medicinal herbs from which decoctions and infusions are made.

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

It is important to get through as quickly as possible. complete diagnostics and laboratory studies of the body.

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

It is impossible to leave such manifestations unattended, the consequences can be deplorable. Self-medication is contraindicated.

Useful video

Atrophic gastritis is chronic form gastritis, which leads to the disappearance of parietal cells of the stomach and, as a result, 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 is sharply thinned, 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 that, the process is only aggravated, 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 time does not begin to implement 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 were not affected.

Light forms focal gastritis accompanied by slight discomfort in the epigastric region, a burning sensation and pain after eating immediately. Nausea and a feeling of heaviness can appear not only after a hearty 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 subfebrile temperature 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 total acidity, as in gastritis with high acidity.

Antral atrophic gastritis

It is 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. In this area, the cells responsible for the production of mucus are localized.

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

• loss of 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 that occurs half an hour - an hour after eating;
• general weakness;
• irritability.

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

Causes

Why does atrophic gastritis occur, and what is it? Currently, the causes of atrophic gastritis are not fully understood, but despite this, experts in the field of gastroenterology refer to the following list of alleged factors causing the pathological process:

1. When used too spicy, spicy foods, too cold, poorly chewed and hot foods.
2. Chemical substances- when it enters 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 leads to the development of the disease.
4. Medical preparations – long-term use drugs 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 be consequence bacterial infection or autoimmune processes in the body. In the first case, the disease manifests itself due to the multiplication 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 guarantees full recovery and recovery. Gastroenterologists regard 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 must fight foreign microorganisms begin to "kill" their cells. Against this background, the patient develops an autoimmune disease.

Symptoms of atrophic gastritis

It is believed that in the first stages of moderately severe atrophic gastritis, the clinic is erased and does not have specific symptoms. But in the later stages, symptoms appear, forcing the doctor to think about the pathology of the stomach, and not another organ.

Common symptoms of atrophic gastritis in adults:

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

Sometimes there may be a pain syndrome, when a feeling of discomfort occurs in the form of dull aching pains especially after a meal. However distinctive feature atrophic gastritis is that there may be no pain at all, or they may appear 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 in patients, dryness and pallor of the skin may appear, 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 manifestations of anemia.

Diagnostics

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

Functional diagnosis of atrophic gastritis includes:

• measurement of pH meter, with which you can 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 tactics of treating the patient, prognosis and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy. The average daily pH ranges from 3 to 6.

A mandatory study for any form of gastritis is to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria 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 a predisposing factor in the development of atrophic gastritis is a long-term infection of Helicobacter pylori.

Treatment of atrophic gastritis

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

1. It is necessary to start treatment of atrophic gastritis in women and men with dietary and dietary changes. 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, easily digestible carbohydrates (chocolate, sweets, cakes, muffins).
2. if acid-fast bacteria have a marked effect on pathogenesis. Helicobacter pylori eradication methods are constantly being improved.
3. Replacement therapy. With a serious violation 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. Removal of pain. With severe pain, it is possible to use anticholinergic drugs - Metacin, Platifillin, Gastrocepin, and antispasmodics - Noshpa, Galidor, Buscopan, Papaverine.
5. Stimulation of the stomach muscles. Medicines such as Cerucal, Motilium may be prescribed to improve motor function stomach.

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

Can atrophic gastritis be cured?

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 age of the patient, his individual characteristics, disease stage, and comorbidities. 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 gentle: meals 5-6 times a day in small portions, mucous pureed soups, low-fat broths, crackers, jelly, cereals are used for food.

As signs of inflammation decrease, dietary recommendations become less stringent and diet #2 is prescribed. Its purpose is to restore disturbed digestive functions and limit the load on the gastrointestinal tract while maintaining the usefulness of the patient's diet.

Important conditions of this diet, which contribute to the stimulation of gastric secretion, are strict adherence to the diet, thorough chewing food and a calm environment while eating.

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

Physicians 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 drugs to patients, most of them antibiotics.

It is strictly forbidden to personally engage in selection the right medicines as this can lead to complications. Only professional doctor is competent in such matters.