Book Now

GASTRITIS: FROM SILENT SYMPTOMS TO SEVERE COMPLICATIONS

GASTRITIS: FROM SILENT SYMPTOMS TO SEVERE COMPLICATIONS

30/08/2025

Gastritis is inflammation in the mucosal lining of the stomach. The disease could occur suddenly (acute) or progress gradually over time (chronic). Although gastritis is generally not regarded as a serious issue and many patients can recover, it may lead to gastric ulcers and elevate the risk of gastric cancer.

The most common cause of gastritis is an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium weakens the stomach’s protective lining, allowing digestive fluid to damage and inflame the mucosa. Other causes may include heavy alcohol consumption, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and stress.

Causes of gastritis

Gastritis may result from multiple factors, including:

The most common cause of gastritis is infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium weakens the protective layer, allowing acid and digestive fluid to damage the mucosa.

Other contributing factors may include:

1. Lifestyle habits

  • Heavy alcohol consumption

  • Smoking

  • Prolonged stress (from serious illness or psychological pressure)

  • Long-term use of aspirin or NSAIDs

02-4.png

2. Medical causes

  • Bacterial or viral infection (such as H. pylori)

  • Following major surgery

  • Following severe trauma or burns

  • Autoimmune disease (immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells)

  • Chronic bile reflux

Common symptoms

Manifestations may vary from person to person, but the most common include:

  • Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen

  • Belching, hiccups

  • Nausea, vomiting

  • Feeling of fullness or gastric burning

  • Loss of appetite

  • Vomiting blood or passing black stools (a sign of gastric mucosal bleeding)

03-4.png

Diagnosis of gastritis

To accurately diagnose gastritis, the doctor will take a detailed medical history, perform a clinical examination, and indicate other necessary paraclinical approaches. At American International Hospital (AIH), patients would access a comprehensive diagnostic process with modern techniques:

  • Barium swallow X-ray for the upper GI tract: helps detect morphological abnormalities, strictures, ulcers, or tumors in the gastrointestinal tract.

  • Gastroduodenoscopy (gastroscopy): the most important method for direct visualization of the gastric mucosa, detecting inflammation, ulcers, and allowing biopsy for histopathological examination, H. pylori screening, or ruling out cancer.

  • Blood tests: assess anemia, vitamin deficiency, and identify the presence of H. pylori.    

  • Stool test: detect bacteria or occult blood in stool, supporting the diagnosis of hidden gastrointestinal bleeding.

  • Urea breath test: a rapid, non-invasive test for detecting H. pylori with high accuracy.

04-4.png

Treatment

The treatment regimen for gastritis will be indicated by the doctor based on the cause, age, overall health status, and the extent of gastric mucosal damage. Common treatment approaches may include: 

  • Discontinuing or changing medications that harm the stomach (under medical guidance)

  • Using antacids and acid-suppressing drugs (PPI) to relieve symptoms and heal mucosa

  • Causal treatment (e.g., antibiotics for H. pylori infection)

  • For gastritis due to other medical conditions, a combination to address the underlying disease is necessary

Possible complications

If left untreated, chronic gastritis may cause:

  • Gastroduodenal ulcers

  • Gastric polyps

  • Gastric tumors (benign or malignant)

  • Gastric perforation

  • Atrophic gastritis → increasing the risk of cancer, anemia, or vitamin deficiency

Prevention

There is no absolute way to prevent gastritis, but risk can be reduced by:

  • Practicing good hygiene, washing hands regularly to prevent H. pylori infection

  • Avoiding alcohol, coffee, and spicy foods

  • Limiting the use of pain relievers/ NSAIDs 

  • Managing stress

05-5.png

When to seek immediate medical attention?

  • Vomiting blood or vomit resembling coffee grounds

  • Passing black, bloody stools

  • Severe abdominal pain, radiating to the back

  • Persistent nausea, vomiting

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Experiencing side effects from medication

At AIH, patients with gastritis can receive individualized treatment that combines medication, dietary management, and regular follow-up to control symptoms, prevent recurrence and complications.

Gastroscopy at American International Hospital (AIH) – an essential method in diagnosis and treatment for gastritis

At American International Hospital (AIH), gastroduodenoscopy is performed with advanced endoscopic systems, allowing doctors to directly view the entire gastric and duodenal mucosa. This is a key technique in diagnosing gastritis, while also enabling early detection of other lesions such as ulcers, polyps, or early-stage cancer.    

During endoscopy, AIH doctors can perform a mucosal biopsy for histopathological testing, finding H. pylori – the main cause of chronic gastritis. This ensures the development of a personalized, scientific, and effective treatment regimen for the patient.

With modern equipment, an international-standard medical environment, and an experienced team of gastroenterologists and endoscopists, gastroscopy at AIH provides a safe and gentle experience, giving patients peace of mind throughout the examination and treatment process.

Reference:

Raffles Medical Group

Hopkins Medicine

--------------------
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL (AIH):
☎ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999
🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn
📍Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh
  • by Admin AIH
  • In News & Events

Leave a comment

Latest News

Our Doctor

Professionals

Mai Vien Phuong

Mai Vien Phuong

Gastroenterology - Hepatology

MSc. Dr. Mai Vien Phuong is an expert in Gastroenterology – Endoscopy with over 15 years of clinical...