Gastritis - chronic

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Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Hepatitis B virus

Chronic gastritis

The treatment depends on the cause of the gastritis. Antibiotic therapy will treat chronic gastritis caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori.

Antacids or other medications, such as cimetidine (to decrease or neutralize gastric acid in the stomach) or proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec, will usually eliminate the symptoms and promote healing. Medications known to cause gastritis should be discontinued. Gastritis caused by pernicious anemia is treated with vitamin B12.

Most gastritis improves rapidly with treatment. Prognosis depends on the underlying cause. Most chronic gastritis does not cause symptoms and does not result in significant illness.

Loss of blood and increased risk of gastric cancer are potential complications.

Call your health care provider if symptoms of gastritis do not improve with treatment. Call your health care provider if you are vomiting blood or producing bloody stools.

Review Date: 08/02/2005
Reviewed By: Courtney W. Houchen, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.