Distinctive features and symptoms of chronic atrophic gastritis

Gastritis is called inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which occurs with a violation of the secretory function of the stomach. In gastric juice there is hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for the digestion and digestion of food, and this function is performed by cells located in the thickness of the walls of the stomach.

If gastric juice is not produced enough or atrophy of glands occurs, then this form of gastritis is called chronic atrophic gastritis. Such a pathology will unequivocally cause disruption of all parts of the intestine, liver, pancreas.

In the course of the disease, intermediate stages are distinguished which, without timely diagnosis and proper treatment, easily pass one into the other. At first, there is atrophic-hyperplastic gastritis, which is characterized by the appearance of polypous growths on the wall of the stomach.

Then the epithelial layer of the stomach is "rebuilt" and becomes similar to the epithelium of the small intestine. And finally, in the last stage there is complete or partial atrophy of the glands. Ending chronic atrophic gastritis can stomach cancer.

What should I look for in the first symptoms?

In the initial stage of the disease, chronic atrophic gastritis symptoms are not expressed, which creates difficulties in early diagnosis. Due to the progressive replacement of the cells of the gastric mucosa by connective, epithelial or other tissues, the symptoms of the disease also progress.

Irritability, depression, sleep disturbance, lethargy appear. At the beginning of the disease, patients are troubled by gravity in the stomach, belching of the air and heartburn. An eructation can be with an unpleasant smell, and a heartburn - long.

Because of the impaired function of the stomach, other organs of the digestive tract are affected and involved in the process, a disturbance of the stool is added to the symptoms, that is, diarrhea can alternate with constipation. Later can join pancreatitis, cholecystitis, enterocolitis.

When the disease is atrophic gastritis of the stomach decreases the absorption of nutrients from food that enters the cavity. Normally, there are cells in the stomach responsible for the absorption of vitamin B12, so B12 deficiency anemia develops in these patients. Also, in the stomach, there are cells responsible for the production of hydrochloric acid, which is involved in the assimilation of iron by the body.

Due to atrophy of glands and stomach cells, iron deficiency anemia develops. Later, hypovitaminosis joins, which are manifested by dryness and brittle nails, hair, premature aging of the skin, decreased vision.

As a rule, pain in the stomach appears in the late stages, which is not characteristic for the initial stage of the disease. With the progression of the disease, clinical symptoms increase, but an accurate diagnosis can be made only after a gastroscopic examination and a biopsy of the affected area of ​​the mucosa.

Features of chronic atrophic gastritis

Depending on the location of the atrophy process, the nature of the lesion and the state of the epithelium, the following types of chronic atrophic gastritis are distinguished:

Chronic antral atrophic gastritis, in which atrophy develops in the antrum, the place where the stomach passes into the 12-colon. Often the process of mucosal atrophy begins precisely with this department, spreading then to all parts of the stomach.

In this department of the stomach are located mainly those cells that are responsible for the production of mucus. Naturally, at an atrophy of this department of a stomach mucus is not developed. In the future, the acidity of the stomach increases, which leads to the appearance of a peptic ulcer. Without timely treatment, ulcers can scar, leading to narrowing of the pyloric department.

Chronic focal atrophic gastritis does not affect the entire mucosa of the stomach, but the foci of different size and location. The centers of atrophy gradually provoke a decrease in the production of pepsin and hydrochloric acid, which are necessary for digestion. In gastroscopic examination, the mucous foci of atrophy are thinned in comparison with healthy areas.

Chronic atrophic-hyperplastic gastritis is characterized by the formation of polyps on the surface of the mucosa, so this form of gastritis is also called polypous atrophic gastritis. This form refers to benign diseases, but without observation and treatment of the disease can easily turn into a malignant form. It is only diagnosed with gastroscopy followed by a histological analysis of the epithelium.

Treatment and Prevention

Of course, the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis should be complex, strictly individual, and should include first and foremost a full-fledged diet in which there should not be spicy, salty, fried, too hot, fatty foods, carbonated drinks, juices in the package, strongcoffee and tea, fast-digestible carbohydrates, alcoholic beverages. You need all the food that the patients take, lightly cool, grind well, and divide into several meals throughout the day.

The diet should contain boiled meat and fish, milk porridge, boiled vegetables. From medicines, enveloping agents and preparations that enhance the secretion of gastric juice are prescribed. Also, there are tools that increase gastric motility.

It may happen that a complete atrophy of the mucous and glandular cells occurs, then substitution therapy, which includes gastric juice substitutes and enzymes, is necessary. For normal life of a person it is necessary to replenish the body with the necessary vitamins and microelements. During remission, spa treatment is indicated.