Your Guide to Gastritis

Treatment usually involves taking drugs to reduce stomach acid and thereby help relieve symptoms and promote healing (Stomach acid irritates the inflamed tissue in the stomach). Antacids or other medications, such as Tagamet (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.

Avoidance of certain foods, beverages, or medicines may also be recommended. Following a diet recommended for peptic ulcer sufferers may help. For recommended foods, and foods to avoid, you can follow these foods lists.

If your gastritis is caused by an infection, that problem may be treated as well. For example, the doctor might prescribe antibiotics to clear up H. pylori infection. Once the underlying problem disappears, the gastritis usually does too. Talk to your doctor before stopping any medicine or starting any gastritis treatment on your own.

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