Ayurvedic Treatment for Gastritis

Gastritis is a general term for a group of conditions with a common factor of inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The condition of gastritis is most often the result of infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers or the regular use of certain pain relievers. Drinking too much alcohol also can contribute to gastritis.

Gastritis may occur suddenly (acute gastritis) or appear slowly over time (chronic gastritis). In some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn’t serious and improves quickly with treatment.

Symptoms : 

► Gnawing or burning ache or pain (indigestion) in your upper abdomen that may become either worse or better with eating.

► Nausea

► Vomiting

► A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating.

When to see a doctor for gastric problem ?

  1. Nearly everyone has had a bout of indigestion and stomach irritation. Most of the time indigestion are short-lived and don’t require any medical care.
  2. Meet your health care provider if you have signs and symptoms of gastritis for a week or longer.
  3. Seek medical attention immediately if you have severe pain, if you have vomiting where you cannot hold any food down, or if you feel light-headed or dizzy.
  4. Tell your doctor if your stomach discomfort occurs after taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs, especially aspirin or other pain relievers.
  5. If you are vomiting blood, have blood in your stools or have stools that appear black, see your doctor right away to determine the cause.

Casues of Gastric Problems ?

 
  1. Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. Weaknesses or injury to the mucus-lined barrier that protects the stomach wall allows digestive juices to damage and inflame the stomach lining.
  2. A number of diseases and conditions can increase the risk of gastritis, including inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease.

Risk Factors :

 
  1. Bacterial infection : Although infection with Helicobacter pylori is among the most common worldwide human infections, only some people with the infection develop gastritis or other upper gastrointestinal disorders. Doctors believe vulnerability to the bacterium could be inherited or could be caused by lifestyle choices, such as smoking and diet.
  2. Regular use of pain relievers : Pain relievers commonly referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can cause both acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. Using these pain relievers regularly or taking too much of these drugs may reduce a key substance that helps preserve the protective lining of your stomach.
  3. Older age : Older adults have an increased risk of gastritis because the stomach lining tends to thin with age and because older adults are more likely to have H. pylori infection or autoimmune disorders than younger people are.
  4. Excessive alcohol use : Alcohol can irritate and erode your stomach lining, which makes your stomach more vulnerable to digestive juices. Excessive alcohol use is more likely to cause acute gastritis.
  5. Severe stress due to major surgery, injury, burns or severe infections can cause acute gastritis.
  6. Cancer treatment : Chemotherapy drugs or radiation treatment can increase your risk of gastritis.
  7. Your own body attacking cells in your stomach : Called autoimmune gastritis, this type of gastritis occurs when your body attacks the cells that make up your stomach lining. This reaction can wear away at your stomach’s protective barrier.
  8. Autoimmune gastritis is more common in people with other autoimmune disorders, including Hashimoto’s disease and type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune gastritis can also be associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency.
  9. Other diseases and conditions : Gastritis may be associated with other medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, sarcoidosis and parasitic infections.
 

How to prevent of Gastric Problem ?

 

As we know– “Prevention is better than cure” it is better to avoid all factors that cause gastritis.

  1. Avoid excessive oily, sour and spicy foods
  2. Avoid foods which is difficult to digest
  3. Avoid smoking and alcohol intake
  4. Include barley, wheat and green gram in the diet.
  5. Avoid overcooked, stale and contaminated food.
  6. The food must be cooked appropriately
  7. Follow mental relaxation techniques

 

Basic Treatment for Gastric Problem ?

 
  1. Avoid causative factors
  2. Palliative treatment — As the disease is of Pitta origin, all measures are undertaken to pacify 
  3. Panchakarma treatment– ‘Panchakarma procedures’ like Vamana (emesis) or Virechana (purgation) should be administered.
  4. In chronic cases, Asthapanavasti (medicated enema) is given.
  5. Shatavari – 3 gms twice a day along with milk
  6. Yashtimadhu – 3 gms twice a day with milk
  7. Amalaki (Indian gooseberry) – 3 gms twice a day with water
  8. Sunthi (dry ginger) – 1- 3 gms twice a day with water
  9. Drink Coconut water 100-500 ml twice a day.
  10. Take amla powder 3-6 gm with water.
  11. Chew half a teaspoon of fennel seeds after food

 Pathya :

  1. Follow proper mealtimes.
  2. Include light food, Coconut water etc.
  3. Include vegetables like white pumpkin, bitter gourd, leafy vegetables
  4. Eat wheat, old rice, barley, green gram, sugar candy and cucumber,
  5. Consume fruits like gooseberry, dry grapes, black grapes, sweet lime, pomegranate and dry figs,
  6. Take adequate fluids like pomegranate juice, lemon juice, amla juice, sweet lime juice, Medicated water with or coriander seeds or puffed rice.
  7. Take one teaspoonful of ghee with warm milk
  8. Make sure you get adequate sleep & rest
  9. Practice Yoga, meditation & exercise regularly

Apathya :

  1. Avoid fried and junk food items
  2. Do not remain hungry for too long. Avoid fasting.
  3. Eat small and frequent meals
  4. Avoid untimely and irregular food habit
  5. Avoid foods containing excess amount of garlic, oil, chillies etc.
  6. Do not lay down immediately after food.
  7. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and aspirin type drugs.
  8. Most importantly–Avoid stress

Author : Dr Anupama S MD (Ayu) Associate Professor, Dept of Kaya Chikitsa Dept.