Signs and treatment of atrophy of the gastric mucosa

Atrophy of the gastric mucosa is a chronic process of cell degeneration, in which there is a violation of the main function of this organ - digestion of food. This is due to a chronic inflammatory process, called gastritis.

Most often suffer from this disease residents of large cities. The increased rhythm of life, the influence of environmental factors, the wrong regimen and the quality of nutrition - all this is the cause of the development of a violation of the stomach.

The cause of atrophic changes in the stomach are:

• age changes;
• bacterial flora( Helicobacter pylori);
• autoimmune disorders;
• hereditary predisposition;
• chronic intoxication, including in harmful production;
• consumption of poor-quality, cold, hot and spicy food, non-compliance with diet;
• uncontrolled reception of medicinal preparations acting aggressively on the walls of the stomach;
• smoking, drinking alcohol;
• reflux, in which the contents of the intestines are thrown back into the stomach;
• chronic diseases of the digestive system.

What happens with an atrophic gastritis

Under the influence of a microbial agent, or when cells are damaged by autoimmune mechanisms, they cease to produce acid and are covered with mucus that has protective properties but is completely incapable of digesting food.

In addition, the regeneration of cellular structures, which normally occurs every six days, ceases. Thus, the acidic medium of the stomach passes into a weakly acidic state, and in an extensive process, achilia( zero acidity) can develop.

As atrophy of the stomach is manifested

Atrophy of the gastric mucosa initially proceeds asymptomatically. Then, as the area of ​​the lesion increases, certain signs of the disease appear. First of all, the patient begins to worry about dyspepsia. There is nausea, heartburn, belch fatigue, a feeling of overflow and discomfort in the stomach during meals. Sometimes there is pain, which is worse after eating. The patient's appetite decreases or disappears, weakness worries.

If the process goes far, the signs can be amplified. Poorly digested food, diarrhea or constipation, which can alternate. During a period of exacerbation a white coating appears on the tongue. The bowel swells, gas formation increases. The skin of a person pales, hair and nails become dull and break.

Deterioration of the absorption of necessary substances and poor appetite leads to anemia, and with extensive lesion localization, and to general dystrophy. Diseases of the intestine, pancreas, bile ducts join.

As a rule, not all mucous tissue is affected, but only some areas, in clinical practice this pathology is called focal atrophy of the stomach mucosa. In this case, the areas with normal gland functioning remain in the stomach. Sometimes they can produce an increased amount of hydrochloric acid as a result of triggering compensatory processes. But, it should be noted that the larger the lesion area, the faster the symptomatology develops, with this type of pathology it does not differ from diffuse atrophy and has a similar clinical picture.

Complete atrophy, which occurs less often, leads to the development of ulceration and gastric bleeding, which further strengthens the anemic syndrome, worsens the general condition and reduces immunity.

Additional studies to clarify the diagnosis:

• fluoroscopy of the stomach;
• study with a fibrogastroscope with urease test( method for determining the presence of Helicobacter pylori);
• measurement of the acidity level when probing the stomach.

Gastric atrophy is considered a precancerous disease, and its complications can pose a serious threat to human life. Therefore, at the slightest sign of trouble, you should consult your doctor and undergo complete diagnosis and treatment.

What can be done to improve the state of

First of all, a successful diet should be followed by a certain diet. If a person continues to eat improperly and irregularly, then no methods and medications will be able to exert the necessary influence.

The diet for atrophy of the gastric mucosa is as follows:

• food should be easily digested and not overload the stomach;
• daily intake of food should be divided into small portions and eat at least six times a day;
• temperature of consumed dishes should not exceed 65 degrees, cold food should also be excluded;
• you can not eat fatty, fried foods, marinades and pickles, as well as smoked products;
• cook meals only for a couple or cook;
• to exclude from the diet strong tea, coffee, alcohol, lemonades and carbonated water;
• is not allowed to take coarse-fiber foods, which overloads the stomach;
• is best, especially during the exacerbation there are slimy soups, vegetable purees, fried meat, steam cutlets, porridges;
• as a drink is best suited herbal medicinal herbs, jelly from non-acid fruits, mineral water without gas.

Treatment of atrophy of the gastric mucosa with medicinal agents includes antibacterial therapy, in the presence of Helicobacter infection. Clarithromycin and amoxicillin are best for this purpose, sometimes the complex includes metronidazole( trichopolum), the drugs are used in conjunction with proton pump inhibitors( omeprazole).This method is called eradication, and according to the treatment regimen, it includes several( usually 3 or 4) components. The course of such therapy is at least a week and gives very good results.

Reducing the acidity of the stomach is one of the causes of malabsorption of food intake. In order to compensate for it, substitute drugs are prescribed - natural gastric juice, acid-pepsin. To improve the assimilation of foods in the intestine, enzyme preparations are used - festal, pancreatin, mezim. With a deficiency of vitamin B12, it is prescribed in an injectable form.

Half an hour before a meal, plantain juice is taken. He at this type of disease has a stimulating effect on the mucous, helping her to produce gastric juice, has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect.

In other respects, therapeutic methods are symptomatic. For the protection of the stomach, bismuth preparations are used, the improvement of motility is achieved by taking prokinetics( domperidone).

If dyskinesia of the biliary tract is attached to the pathological process, then the elimination of bile stasis is recommended taking drugs that stimulate its excretion.

In the remission phase for the patient it is important to continue to follow dietary recommendations and take substitute drugs. Despite the fact that while observing a diet of clinical signs of atrophy may not be observed, nevertheless, once a year it is necessary to undergo a survey.

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