lifestyle: Nov 18, 2011

Gastritis Causes Symptoms Diagnoses and Treatment

Gastritis Causes Symptoms Diagnoses and Treatment

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is an inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach. It can occur suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).

What Causes Gastritis?

Gastritis can be caused by irritation due to excessive alcohol use, chronic vomiting, stress, or the use of certain medications such as aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs. It may also be caused by any of the following:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): A bacteria that lives in the mucous lining of the stomach. Without treatment the infection can lead to ulcers, and in some people, stomach cancer.
Pernicious anemia: A form of anemia that occurs when the stomach lacks a naturally occurring substance needed to properly absorb and digest vitamin B12.
Bile reflux: A backflow of bile into the stomach from the bile tract (that connects to the liver and gallbladder).
Infections caused by bacteria and viruses

If gastritis is left untreated, it can lead to a severe loss in blood, or in some cases increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.

What Are the Symptoms of Gastritis?

Symptoms of gastritis vary among individuals, and in many people there are no symptoms. However, the most common symptoms include:

Nausea or recurrent upset stomach
Abdominal bloating
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Indigestion
Burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach between meals or at night
Hiccups
Loss of appetite
Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
Black, tarry stools

How Is Gastritis Diagnosed?

To diagnose gastritis, your doctor will review your personal and family medical history, perform a thorough physical evaluation, and may recommend any of the following tests.

Upper endoscopy. An endoscope, a thin tube containing a tiny camera, is inserted through your mouth and down into your stomach to look at the stomach lining. The doctor will check for inflammation and may perform a biopsy, a procedure in which a tiny sample of tissue is removed and then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Blood tests. The doctor may perform various blood tests such as checking your red blood cell count to determine whether you have anemia, which means that you do not have enough red blood cells. He or she can also screen for H. pylori infection and pernicious anemia with blood tests.
Fecal occult blood test (stool test). This test checks for the presence of blood in your stool, a possible sign of gastritis.

What Is the Treatment for Gastritis?

Treatment for gastritis usually involves:

Taking antacids and other drugs to reduce stomach acid, which causes further irritation to inflamed areas.
Avoiding hot and spicy foods.
For gastritis caused by H. pylori infection, your doctor will prescribe a regimen of several antibiotics plus an acid blocking drug (used for heartburn).
If the gastritis is caused by pernicious anemia, B12 vitamin shots will be given.

Once the underlying problem disappears, the gastritis usually does, too. You should talk to your doctor before stopping any medicine or starting any gastritis treatment on your own

Orchitis and treatmant

Orchitis and treatmant

Orchitis is an acute inflammatory reaction of the testis secondary to infection. Most cases are associated with a viral mumps infection; however, other viruses and bacteria can cause orchitis

Orchitis is characterized by testicular pain and swelling.
The course is variable and ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain.
Associated systemic symptoms
- Fatigue
- Malaise
- Myalgias
- Fever and chills
- Nausea
- Headache
Mumps orchitis follows the development of parotitis by 4-7 days.
Obtain a sexual history, when appropriate

Emergency Department Care

Supportive treatment
- Bed rest
- Hot or cold packs for analgesia
- Scrotal elevation
Most importantly, the ED physician must rule out testicular torsion, as the two syndromes often present with similar symptoms.^[5]
Second, the ED physician should consider epididymo-orchitis and, if highly suspected, treat appropriately
Medication Summary
No medications are indicated for the treatment of viral orchitis.
Bacterial orchitis or epididymo-orchitis requires appropriate antibiotic coverage for suspected infectious agents. In patients with a bacterial etiology who are younger than 35 years and sexually active, antibiotic coverage for sexually transmitted pathogens (particularly gonorrhea and chlamydia) with ceftriaxone^[6]and either doxycycline^[6]or azithromycin is appropriate. Fluoroquinolones are no longer recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for treatment of gonorrhea because of resistance. For more information see, CDC updated gonococcal treatment recommendations (April 2007).
Patients older than 35 years with bacterial etiology require additional coverage for other gram-negative bacteria with a fluoroquinolone or TMP-SMX. Other appropriate medications include analgesics or antiemetics, as needed

Further Outpatient Care
- Supportive therapy
  Bed rest
  
  Scrotal support
  
  Analgesics
  
  Hot or cold packs for analgesia: Elevation of the scrotum and placement of ice on the affected testis are specific comfort measures that should be recommended to the patient with orchitis. The patient should put a small pillow or a towel between the legs to elevate the scrotum and place ice on the affected testis for 10-15 minutes, 4 times a day, until pain resolves.
- Patients with a suspected sexually transmitted disease should be referred to their private physician or local health department for HIV testing
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