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Coping with gastritis and all its many symptoms is about as much fun as getting punched in the stomach! Your first instinct may be to reach for an antacid medication because that will usually give some quick gastritis relief. But if you want to keep those painful symptoms away for good, the key will be to discover your own individual gastritis causes and that will quickly guide you to the best and safest therapies for long-lasting relief. 

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Common Gastritis Symptoms:

Gastritis pain centers in the upper abdomen, just under the rib cage, and stems from inflammation and irritation in the stomach. The following gastritis symptoms can come on quickly, or be a gradual, chronic condition:

  • Nausea or upset stomach
  • Bloating
  • Belching
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting (including vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
  • Indigestion
  • Heartburn
  • Burning, gnawing, or sore feeling between meals
  • Hiccups
  • Loss of appetite
  • Black, tarry stools

Medications and Certain Foods Are Common Causes of Gastritis!

Sometimes, gastritis symptoms can stem from taking a medication or supplement. Medications that commonly cause gastritis include aspirin, NSAIDs (ibuprofen or naproxen), prednisone, potassium supplements, iron, or cancer chemotherapy medications. Acidic drinks, such as coffee, alcohol, and juices with citric acids may cause gastritis, as well as certain foods.

Bacterial Overgrowth – The Single Most Common Gastritis Cause

The most common cause of gastritis symptoms is an overgrowth of the bacteria helicobacter pylori.  A doctor can test for the presence of this bacteria and then can prescribe antibiotics to eradicate  h. pylori overgrowth; however, h. pylori responds quite well to herbal compounds. A licensed naturopath or chiropractor experienced in nutritional therapy can prescribe a natural protocol for h. pylori overgrowth. Botanical compounds that have been shown effective in managing an h. pylori overgrowth are below.  It is important that you work with a licensed health care practitioner for the appropriate dosages.

  • Goldenseal root extract
  • Oregano oil extract
  • Barberry extract
  • Oregon grape root extract
  • Coptis chihensis extract
  • Yerba mansa extract

Please be aware that if h. pylori infection is the primary cause of your gastritis, your symptoms will not get better until you treat this condition. And, researchers believe that h. pylori is responsible for the majority of peptic ulcers so early treatment is needed to prevent ulcers.

Consider Gluten Intolerance

Gastritis can also be induced by bile reflux (when bile from the gallbladder backwashes into the stomach), pernicious anemia (an autoimmune B12 anemia), and food intolerances. In fact, many have found a gluten-free diet alleviates gastritis symptoms, as well as acid reflux[1] and other digestive symptoms.

The Dangers of Relying on Antacids for Gastritis Relief

Gastritis symptoms are a red flag your digestive system is in distress. Although antacids and heartburn medications can provide quick gastritis relief, they simply turn off the alarm bells but do not address the underlying causes of your stomach pain. They also come with risks, such as increased development of osteoporosis.

It’s better to identify and then manage the root cause of your gastritis. Our Directory of Integrative Physicians can help you find a doctor who knows exactly how to help you identify the etiology of your gastritis and can then offer healing therapies individualized to that cause. For occasional flare-ups, however, a number of herbs and nutritional compounds have been shown to tame the “fire in your stomach” and provide safe gastritis relief:

  • Deglycyrrhizinated licorice root extract
  • L-glutamine
  • Mastic gum
  • Citrus bioflavonoids
  • Bismuth citrate
  • Gamma oryzanol
  • Chlorella
  • Rhubarb root
  • Bentonite clay

Change Your Diet

Of course, what you actually put in your stomach can determine whether you have gastritis. Relief and prevention isn’t just about avoiding spicy or acidic food and drink. Rather, it’s about eating a diet that respects the integrity of your stomach lining. Food intolerances, such as to gluten, dairy, soy, corn, egg, nightshades (potatoes, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes), nuts, all grains, or other foods, should be ruled out as the very cause of your gastritis.

Another way to relieve or prevent gastritis symptoms is to avoid a high-carbohydrate diet of processed foods, sweets, sodas, coffee drinks, and foods with trans fats. Instead, opt for a whole foods diet with plenty of protein, natural fats (not processed vegetable oils), and produce.


[1] Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011  Mar;9(3):214-9.

This blog was originally written by contributing author Elaine Fawcett, N.T.P. and published in 2012 as “Looking for Genuine Relief for Gastritis Symptoms?”

The post Gastritis Relief: The Key is to Treat the Root Cause appeared first on Natural Health Advisory.



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