Gastritis is a serious type of autoimmune disease that causes excruciating pain and burning sensation in the stomach. Gastritis, which usually occurs due to bacteria and viruses, can also occur due to dietary habits or various stomach infections. It is very important to start the early treatment process early in order to get rid of this ailment, which makes the daily life of the person seriously difficult if not intervened early.

What is gastritis?

Gastritis, which is described as inflammation in the stomach, is an infectious disease that can occur due to various factors. This inflammation in the stomach can be caused by microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses, unbalanced diet, certain drugs, chemicals, excessive smoking and alcohol consumption. In addition, since one of the most important factors that trigger the disease is the weakening of the immune system, it can also manifest itself as a symptom of diseases that weaken the immune system.

What Are the Symptoms of Gastritis?

Symptoms caused by gastritis may occur in connection with some digestive system diseases or stomach disorders. For these reasons, doctors examine the patient in detail in order to clearly understand which disease the emerging symptoms are related to. Although some of the symptoms that occur due to gastritis may differ from person to person, they can be listed as follows in general;

• Severe or mild pain in the stomach depending on the extent of bloating, gas and disease
• Frequent urge to eat due to constant feeling of hunger
• Indigestion, heartburn and heartburn

What are the Causes of Gastritis?

The main factor that triggers gastritis is that a type of bacteria called helicobacter pylori settles in the stomach and causes various infections there. In addition, actions such as feeding in a way that lowers the immune system, high doses or long-term use of some drugs, excessive alcohol and smoking play an important role in the formation of gastritis. Gastritis can become chronic, especially in people with weakened immune systems, and can recur almost throughout the person's life. As in the normal type of gastritis, chronic gastritis is caused by bacteria called helicobacter pylori, which can live actively even in gastric juice. Bacteria called Helicobacter pylori can infect the body with contaminated water or food items, mostly during childhood, when the immune system is not fully strengthened. After the bacteria enter the body, they settle on the cells of the stomach wall and inside the acid layer and continue their activities in colonies. It causes infection in the body when it first settles in the stomach, and if this situation cannot be prevented by the immune system, infections can become chronic after a while. If chronic gastritis is not intervened early, the disease can reach advanced levels and cause various deformations in the stomach glands and tissues. Since the resulting tissue disorders create a suitable environment for the spread of cancer cells, it greatly increases the probability of developing cancer, especially in individuals with a genetic predisposition and who are in intense contact with carcinogenic substances.

Does Gastritis Cause Cancer?

Studies have shown that people with tissue disorders in the stomach glands due to gastritis have a three times higher risk of developing stomach cancer than other people. In order to detect the presence of any tissue changes in the stomach that may cause such negative situations, a piece of the patient's stomach is taken through endoscopy and examined. For this reason, it is recommended that people who constantly have gastritis problems are regularly examined by a specialist physician and, if necessary, changes in the stomach tissue are checked by endoscopy. If the patient has advanced tissue deformations in the stomach during the examination, it is very important to follow the patient further and closely. After the diseased tissues formed in the stomach are clearly marked by special endoscopic devices designed for such examinations or by painting the damaged area in the stomach, they are separated from the stomach and removed from the body by performing some surgical operations. With the removal of such tissues from the stomach, cancer formations can be terminated before they begin.

What are the foods and drinks that patients with gastritis should avoid?

While the foods we consume are digested in the stomach, they can have a damaging effect on the stomach wall or disrupt the pH balance by causing the stomach acid to rise. Especially acidic and fatty foods can trigger gastritis by damaging the natural structure of the stomach. Although there are many foodstuffs that cause gastritis, some of them can be listed as follows.

Caffeine

Coffee, tea or cola, which is one of the most consumed beverages in daily life, contains plenty of the stimulant substance called caffeine. Although caffeine is preferred to facilitate focus, it is a substance that should be avoided by people with gastritis or sensitive stomach. Because some active compounds in caffeine can cause various reactions with gastric juice, causing an increase in stomach acid and thus triggering gastritis problem.

Fries

In the researches, it has been concluded that excessive oily fries prepare the ground not only for gastritis but also for many stomach problems. Because the stomach spends more effort than necessary to digest the fries made using a large amount of oil. The stomach produces high levels of acid when breaking down such foods that are difficult to digest. The increased amount of acid in the stomach causes deformations in the inner wall of the stomach or worsening of the areas with the onset of inflammation, resulting in gastritis.

Hot and Cold Foods

Consumption of food and beverages in excessively hot or cold form makes digestion difficult and leads to stomach fatigue. Especially when nothing is eaten for a long time, the first food that enters the stomach is very cold or hot, causing a sudden and short-term functional disorder in the stomach, causing intense secretion of stomach acid. Although the stomach usually does this to protect itself, the fact that this situation becomes permanent and the excess of acid can have a triggering effect for gastritis.

Orange, Lemon and Grapefruit

Although orange, lemon and grapefruit are the richest sources of vitamin C, gastritis patients are recommended to stay away because they contain a high amount of acid. Because the inflammation on the inner surface of the stomach due to gastritis can reach further dimensions with the concentrated acid. If such foods are to be consumed, they should be consumed in small amounts and definitely on a full stomach.

Pickle

Another food that should not be consumed by people with gastritis problems is pickles, which are not easy to digest, although the substances they contain are beneficial for our health. Pickles, which are difficult to digest, cause stomach strain and gastritis with this aspect.

Spices

People with gastritis problems should definitely stay away from intensely flavored and hot spices such as cumin, chili pepper, isot, garlic powder and black pepper. Spices with sharp flavors cause the stomach to secrete excessive amounts of acid and become more tired.

Natural Treatment Methods Good for Gastritis Disease

As in every disease, in gastritis, it is necessary to first be examined by a specialist in order to determine the main factor causing the disease and to apply the most accurate treatment method. Apart from this, in order to accelerate the healing process of the disease, the following natural treatment methods that are good for gastritis can be used.

Corn Anise

The beneficial vegetable oils and minerals contained in the corn anise plant help prevent gastritis by regulating the acidity of the stomach. It also prevents the mucous membrane that surrounds and protects the stomach wall from being deformed due to the intense acidity. In addition to regulating the acidity of corn anise, it is also a very effective herb in relieving problems such as nausea, stomach pain, bloating and indigestion.

1. Application

For this application, first mix 1 teaspoon of corn anise seeds with half a teaspoon of natural black salt and 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger. After adding 1 teaspoon of the powder mixture, you have obtained into 1 glass of hot water, consume it warmly. When you repeat this application regularly 3 times a day in the morning, noon and evening, you will start to see effective results in a short time.

2. Application

For another application made with corn anise plant, add 1 teaspoon of corn anise and half a teaspoon of natural black salt into 1 glass of buttermilk and mix well. It will be enough to consume this buttermilk that you have prepared for the relief of gastritis regularly, 2 times a day.

Salt

One of the foodstuffs that are good for gastritis is table salt. Salt plays a role in regulating the pH balance of the digestive system with the active ingredients it contains. It also helps damaged tissues to repair themselves quickly by fighting against inflammation and infections.

For this application, add 1 teaspoon of table salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar into 1 liter of warm water and mix until the salt and sugar dissolve. Consuming the liquid that you have prepared in certain periods during the day will both protect the body's fluid balance and help prevent inflammation.

Ginger

Ginger, which is a powerful antioxidant, prevents the progression of gastritis by removing inflammation and toxic substances with its antiviral and antibacterial properties.

For this application, which you can try to prevent gastritis, first add 1 cup of boiling water and 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh ginger to the coffee pot. Then let it simmer for about 15 minutes to let the ginger extract. After the boiling process is completed, take the coffee pot from the stove and let the tea brew for 1-2 minutes. After adding a teaspoon of honey to the tea you have prepared, consume it warm. When you consume ginger tea 2 times a day, the pain and burning sensation in your stomach will be greatly reduced.

Apart from this application, chewing fresh ginger in small pieces also has a soothing effect on stomach pains. However, since it is not recommended for people with high blood pressure to consume ginger, it would be more appropriate for blood pressure patients to consult a doctor first in order to avoid any health problems.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps relieve many symptoms such as pain, inflammation, nausea and burning caused by gastritis. In addition, antioxidant substances and beneficial minerals contained in natural apple cider vinegar undertake tasks such as removing toxins, repairing the inflamed area and regulating the pH balance of the stomach.

Add a little more than 1 teaspoon of natural apple cider vinegar to 1 glass of hot water. Consuming the vinegar water, you have prepared about half an hour before meals will reduce your gastritis problem. You can repeat this application regularly every day until your complaints due to gastritis are relieved.

Fennel Seed

Fennel seeds help prevent many digestive system problems as well as gastritis by regulating the work of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. With its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it provides relief from indigestion, stomach spasm, vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain and heartburn.

Add a teaspoon of fennel seeds to a glass of hot water and leave it for about 10 minutes to infuse after covering it. After your fennel tea is brewed, filter the seed pulp in it and consume it by putting 1 teaspoon of honey in it. When you drink this tea three times a day in the morning, noon and evening for a week, the symptoms due to gastritis will be greatly reduced. In addition, chewing a pinch of fennel seeds after meals will also help alleviate the complaints caused by gastritis and relax the stomach.