Page 25 - Pharmaquest issue 1 2020

GASTRITIS

Kanchan Bhandari

Batch 2018

‘Gastric’ is a word which is familiar The common reason behind this is

with almost all Nepalese; from young infection with Helicobacter pylori
children to the elderly people. In bacteria. Other causes include

every family functions, get-togethers, the consumption of foods having

parties or any kind of gatherings, high content of salts and fats and
there is at least one person who processed foods, high consumption

denies eating or drinking a particular of alcohol, use of non-steroidal anti-

food or beverage and apparently, the inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and
reason for that is ‘Gastric’. This term some inflammatory diseases, such as

‘Gastric’ which we use commonly, Crohn’s disease.

actually refers to a medical issue
known as ‘Gastritis’. What are its risk factors?

The risk factors for gastritis include

What is Gastritis? the following:

Gastritis is an inflammation, • Alcohol use

irritation or erosion of the protective • Bacterial infection

lining of the stomach. It can occur • High levels of stress
suddenly (acute) or gradually • Smoking

(chronic). Acute gastritis involves • Erosion or thinning of the

sudden, severe inflammation whereas stomach lining (e.g., due to age)

chronic gastritis involves long-term • Certain medications
inflammation that can last for years if --Aspirin

it is left untreated. --Chemotherapy drugs (used to
destroy cancer cells)

Weakness or injury to the mucus- --Iron and potassium supplements

lined barrier that protects our --Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

stomach wall allows the digestive drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)

juices to damage and inflame our -- Steroids
stomach lining, i.e. causes gastritis. 15