Gastritis: 10 myths and realities
Many people have this annoying problem but how much do we know about it? There are plenty of myths about its causes and cures. With the intention of raising awareness about this issue, we present you with some advice so you can fight it better if you suffer from it.
Gastritis is defined as a peptic acid disease and inflammation associated with the production of this acid, causing a series of troubles or annoyances that, if left unattended, can eventually lead to bigger, more complex problems.
Gastritis Symptoms
- Feeling of emptiness or a hole in the stomach, often confused with hunger.
- Burning in the stomach.
- Nausea or vomiting may occur in some cases.
There are many ways to diagnose this disease, such as a simple visit to the doctor. However in some cases it requires an endoscopy to check the digestive tract and better assess the treatment to use.
When we have a picture of gastritis, it is important that we take into account certain measures. Mild gastritis can improve with simple treatments to control heartburn and an adjustment in our meal plan. It is not a matter that should be taken lightly, because if we let the problem become worse, it can become a chronic disease or even cause an injury (ulcer) which can be more risky and complex to treat.
Here are the 10 most common myths about the disease: Discover whether they are true or false and learn how to improve your diet and attack this disease as soon as possible.
10 Myths associated with gastritis
Myth # 1: "It is caused by bacteria"
Helicobacter pylori is the bacterium commonly associated with gastritis, however it may be present or not, also if the bacteria has stayed in our body it can cause some discomfort or simply never cause any symptoms.
Myth # 2: "A fruit diet is most convenient to treat gastritis"
Fruit is recommended, although we should not dismiss the other food groups: It is best to avoid long periods of fasting so it is best to eat three meals and two placements between breakfast and lunch to maintain a balance and allow better digestion.
Myth # 3: "Coffee is completely forbidden"
Coffee components may be irritating to the digestive system so it is always advised to leave off the diet if you suffer from gastritis, but you can have a controlled consumption.
Myth # 4: "Stress can cause gastritis"
When we go through long periods of stress our body undergoes various changes: Stopping eating or eating too much, drinking more energy drinks or relaxing, etc. can eventually cause problems in the digestive system, causing increased acid production.
Myth # 5: "Children cannot have gastritis"
The chances of a child developing this illness is high due to food plans that lead to gastritis as they undergo more stress and periods without eating properly.
Myth # 6: "Lemon juice fasting solves the problem"
Although ascorbic acid in lemon is indicated for the treatment of these problems, there is no concrete evidence to cure the problem alone.
Myth # 7: "Dairy consumption improves symptoms"
It has now been proven that consumption of milk causes increased acid production which is not helpful to improve the symptoms of this disease.
Myth # 8: "Acidity is synonymous with gastritis"
Heartburn is not a unique symptom of gastritis and can also be caused by reflux or even colitis which are problems that require different treatments.
Myth # 9: "Ranitidine is the most successful cure"
Gastritis treatment will vary depending on its causes and severity, although ranitidine is recommended in certain cases and is usually considered a temporary solution and not recommended for long treatments.
Myth # 10: "It is caused by irritants and foods high in fat"
It may be very likely that the symptoms of gastritis are from excessive consumption of these foods as fats and animal proteins and strong spices cause irritation as they are digested more slowly.
Demystifying and expanding your knowledge about the disease is very important to know how to respond to the presence of these symptoms, so that you can improve your health and prevent more serious problems occurring in the future.