Mayo Clinic Health Library


Updated: 04-09-2011


Gastritis describes a group of conditions with one thing in common: inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The inflammation of gastritis is often the result of infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. However, other factors — such as injury, regular use of certain pain relievers or drinking too much alcohol — also can contribute to gastritis.




The signs and symptoms of gastritis include:

  • A 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

Gastritis doesn't always cause signs and symptoms.

When to see a doctor
Nearly everyone has experienced a bout of indigestion and stomach irritation. Most cases of indigestion are short-lived and don't require medical care. But if you experience signs and symptoms of gastritis consistently for a week or longer, see your doctor. And be sure to tell your doctor if you experience stomach problems after taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, especially aspirin or other pain relievers.

If you are vomiting blood, you have blood in your stools or your stool appears black, see your doctor right away to determine the cause.



Gastritis usually develops when your stomach's protective layer becomes weakened or damaged. A mucus-lined barrier protects the wall of your stomach from the acids that help digest your food. Weaknesses in the barrier allow your digestive juices to damage and inflame your stomach lining. A number of diseases and conditions can make your stomach's protective layer vulnerable to damage and increase your risk of gastritis.

Gastritis can occur suddenly or develop over weeks and months:

  • Acute gastritis is stomach inflammation that develops quickly and lasts for a short period of time.
  • Chronic gastritis develops gradually and may last for an extended period of time.

Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of gastritis include:



Left untreated, gastritis may lead to stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. Some forms of chronic gastritis may increase your risk of stomach cancer, especially if you have extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining's cells.



Preparing for your appointment

Start by making an appointment with your family doctor or a general practitioner if you have signs or symptoms of gastritis. If your doctor suspects you may have gastritis, you may be referred to a specialist in digestive disorders (gastroenterologist).


What you can do

  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For gastritis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • What are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?


What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, as well. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

  • What are your symptoms?
  • How severe are your symptoms? For instance, would you describe your stomach pain as "mildly uncomfortable" or "burning"?
  • Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • Does anything seem to worsen your symptoms? For instance, does eating certain foods increase your discomfort?
  • Does anything seem to improve your symptoms? For instance, does eating certain foods or taking antacids or over-the-counter remedies decrease your discomfort?
  • Have you experienced any recent weight loss?
  • How often do you drink alcohol?
  • How would you rate your stress level?
  • Have you ever had an ulcer?

What you can do in the meantime
Before your appointment, avoid drinking alcohol and eating any foods that seem to irritate your stomach, such as those that are spicy, acidic, fried or fatty. But talk to your doctor before stopping any prescription medications you're taking.


Tests and diagnosis

Although your doctor is likely to suspect gastritis after talking to you about your medical history and performing a thorough exam, you may also have tests to pinpoint the exact cause. These tests include:

  • Tests for H. pylori. Your doctor may recommend tests to determine whether the bacterium H. pylori is present in your body. Which type of test you undergo depends on your situation. H. pylori may be detected in a blood test, a stool test or a breath test. For the breath test, you drink a small glass of clear, tasteless liquid that contains radioactive carbon. H. pylori breaks down the test liquid in your stomach. Later, you blow into a bag, which is then sealed. If you're infected with H. pylori, your breath sample will contain the radioactive carbon.
  • X-ray of your upper digestive system. Sometimes called a barium swallow or upper gastrointestinal series, this series of X-rays creates images of your esophagus, stomach and small intestine to look for abnormalities. During the X-ray, you swallow a white, metallic liquid (containing barium) that coats your digestive tract and makes an ulcer more visible.

Treatments and drugs


Medications used to treat gastritis include:

  • Antibiotic medications to kill H. pylori. If H. pylori is found in your digestive tract, your doctor may recommend a combination of antibiotics to kill the bacterium. Antibiotic regimens are different throughout the world. In the United States, antibiotics prescribed for treatment of H. pylori include amoxicillin, clarithromycin (Biaxin), metronidazole (Flagyl) and tetracycline. You'll likely need to take antibiotics for two weeks, depending on their type and number.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You may find some relief from signs and symptoms if you:

  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals. If you experience frequent indigestion, eat smaller, more frequent meals to help ease the effects of stomach acid.
  • Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Excessive use of alcohol can irritate the mucous lining of your stomach. Limit yourself to one drink per day if you're a woman or two drinks per day if you're a man.
  • Manage stress. Stress may make your gastritis symptoms worse. Stress may be unavoidable, but you can learn to cope with it. If you have trouble relaxing, consider trying calming activities, such as meditation, yoga or tai chi.


Preventing H. pylori infection