Gastritis

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Stomach and stomach lining

Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed or swollen.

Gastritis can last for only a short time (acute gastritis), or linger for months to years (chronic gastritis).

The most common causes of gastritis are:

• Certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, when taken over a longer period of time
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Infection of the stomach with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori

Less common causes are:

• Autoimmune disorders (such as pernicious anemia)
• Backflow of bile into the stomach (bile reflux)
• Cocaine abuse
• Eating or drinking caustic or corrosive substances (such as poisons)
• Extreme stress
• Viral infection, such as cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus, especially in people with a weak immune system

Trauma or a severe, sudden illness such as major surgery, kidney failure, or being placed on a breathing machine may cause gastritis.

Review Date: 01/31/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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