Natural gastritis treatment at BionwoRx.

Gastritis

Natural treatment for gastritis.

Dealing with the pain and discomfort of gastritis can be concerning and disruptive. Are you hoping to naturally and effectively heal your gastritis symptoms? This page has the information you need.

Understanding your condition

What is gastritis?

Gastritis occurs when the stomach lining (gastric mucosa) becomes irritated, inflamed, and swollen, often causing discomfort or pain. It can develop suddenly and resolve quickly (acute gastritis) or persist over time (chronic gastritis). Gastritis can also arise as a result of another underlying health condition.

Symptoms may include a burning sensation or pain in the upper abdomen, frequently accompanied by burping, bloating, nausea, and feelings of fullness after eating.

Gastritis

A natural treatment for gastritis.

Many people with chronic gastritis feel frustrated when short-term treatments leave them with unwanted side effects. Thankfully, our functional medicine gastritis specialist can provide safe, natural treatments that effectively manage not just the symptoms, but also the underlying causes and triggers of gastritis, offering lasting relief.

At BionwoRx, we’ll work with you to address the root cause of your gastritis.

Common gastritis symptoms.

Gastritis, often described as indigestion, can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

  • A burning sensation or pain in the upper abdomen or lower chest, which may worsen or improve with eating
  • Pain radiating into the upper back
  • Burping, belching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Hiccups
  • Weight loss
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting, potentially including blood
  • Black, sticky stool (melena)

However, some people with gastritis experience no symptoms at all. Figuring out what’s causing your symptoms is crucial. This can help rule out and prevent any more serious health problems from developing.

What causes gastritis?

Common causes of gastritis include certain medications, alcohol, smoking, microbiome imbalances, poor diet, autoimmunity, food allergies or intolerances, bacterial overgrowth, and digestive health issues.

Gastritis can also be linked to other health conditions like rosacea, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, pernicious anemia, type 1 diabetes, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Interestingly, recent research suggests a declining incidence of infectious gastritis caused by the H. pylori bacteria, along with a rise in autoimmune-related gastritis in Western populations.

Gastritis, which causes stomach inflammation and irritation, has a variety of potential causes and contributing factors. While it is more common in older age groups, gastritis can affect people of all ages. Some of the key causes include:

  • Poor diet and consumption of acid-forming foods
  • Medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen
  • Infections, including viral, bacterial (like H. pylori), or parasitic (like Strongyloides stercoralis)
  • Excessive or long-term alcohol consumption
  • Smoking
  • Consuming coffee and other caffeinated drinks
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Microbiome imbalances, often from antibiotic use
  • Intestinal issues like hyperpermeability
  • SIBO, constipation, IBD, or IBS
  • Food allergies or intolerances
  • Acid reflux
  • Chronic bile reflux
  • Underlying conditions like gastric lymphoma, pernicious anemia, or autoimmune disorders

If left untreated, gastritis can lead to several serious complications:

  • Nutritional deficiencies in key vitamins and minerals like B12, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D, folate, and magnesium. These deficiencies can contribute to other health problems.
  • Gastric or peptic ulcers in the stomach or upper digestive tract.
  • Inflammation and ulcers in the duodenum.
  • Internal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia from gastric bleeding.
  • Gastric perforation.
  • Atrophic gastritis, where stomach glands are damaged by chronic inflammation, reducing acid and enzyme production needed for digestion. This condition is linked to stomach cancer.
  • Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma
  • Gastric cancer

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Gastritis treatment – the conventional approach.

Your doctor may first refer you to a gastroenterologist, who will examine and test you to exclude other causes and look for signs of inflammation and irritation in your gastric lining. The gastroenterologist may perform:

  • A gastroscopy (endoscopy) where, under sedation, they’ll pass a tiny camera on a long, flexible tube down your esophagus and into your stomach to check for inflammation, irritation, or damage like ulcers. They may also take a biopsy.
  • Blood tests to check your red blood cell count and iron levels, which could indicate gastric blood loss.
  • A fecal occult blood test to check for blood in your stool, which can be a sign of bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract.
  • A breath test to detect the presence of H. pylori, which can be revealed by certain gas by-products that show up in your breath. Your doctor can also arrange this test.

Dietary recommendations.

After the testing, your doctor may suggest some lifestyle changes to help manage your condition. This could include avoiding spicy, hot, or acidic foods, as well as cutting back on alcohol and quitting smoking. They’ll also likely recommend steering clear of over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, as those can actually make gastritis worse.

In addition to these lifestyle adjustments, your treatment plan will probably involve taking certain medications. These might include:

  • Antacids – These can be over-the-counter or prescription, and they work by neutralizing stomach acid to provide symptom relief. However, they may cause side effects like diarrhea or constipation, and can also inhibit the absorption of important nutrients and minerals such as B12, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Additionally, reduced stomach acid can make it harder for the body to destroy ingested pathogens, potentially leading to increased infections.
  • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – These directly block the production of stomach acid, providing short-term relief. But long-term use may contribute to an increased risk of wrist, hip, and spine fractures. Like antacids, PPIs can also lead to nutrient deficiencies and more infections. Manufacturers recommend using PPIs for no more than 2 weeks at a time, and no longer than 3 months total.
  • H2 receptor antagonists – These reduce the amount of acid released into the digestive tract, which can help relieve pain. However, they too can contribute to nutrient deficiencies, increased fractures, and more infections.
  • Antibiotics – These are often prescribed to treat H. pylori infections. While this may be effective, antibiotics are non-selective and can significantly disrupt both harmful and beneficial gut bacteria species.

If your doctor detects gastritis during an endoscopy of asymptomatic patients, and there are no signs of H. pylori or other issues, then no treatment may be necessary. Many conventional approaches simply mask the symptoms rather than provide lasting solutions. This is why many people with gastritis turn to functional medicine specialists for more comprehensive treatment that addresses the root causes.

Functional testing – gastritis.

Our experienced holistic gastritis specialist may recommend the following functional tests to help get to the root of your digestive issues:

  • SIBO hydrogen/methane breath testing
  • H. pylori test
  • Food allergy, intolerance or sensitivities testing
  • Gut microbiome analysis (GI map or GI 360)
  • Digestive function and nutrient absorption testing
  • Screening for parasites like Enterococcus, Klebsiella, H. pylori, E.coli
  • Organic acid test (OAT)
  • Other personalized tests based on your specific symptoms

The BionwoRx functional medicine approach.

Natural treatment for gastritis.

Our friendly functional medicine gastritis specialist will start by thoroughly reviewing your full medical history, including your genetic and family background, as well as your diet and lifestyle. Based on this comprehensive case history, they will then create a personalized treatment plan designed to address the underlying factors contributing to your gastritis.

Natural gastritis treatments aim to restore the digestive tract to a healthy state. This may involve repairing the digestive tract lining, reducing inflammation, restoring a healthy microbiome, and balancing the stomach’s pH. Some evidence-based natural treatments that can help achieve these goals include:

  • Dietary changes: Avoid trigger foods, artificial additives, acidic, spicy, and highly processed foods. Increase whole, unprocessed foods – especially fiber-rich, anti-inflammatory, and phytonutrient-rich options like brassicas – to support motility, microbiome diversity, and gut lining repair.
  • Lifestyle changes: Eat smaller meals, avoid late-night eating, manage stress, and limit alcohol, smoking, and coffee. Reduce exposure to environmental toxins.
  • Herbal remedies: Soothing herbs like slippery elm, marshmallow, and licorice can help repair the gastric mucosa. Anti-inflammatory herbs like curcumin and boswellia, as well as antimicrobial herbs, can also be beneficial.
  • Supplements: Consider glycine, glutamine, zinc, magnesium, vitamin C, omega-3s, and targeted probiotic strains to improve gut lining integrity, reduce inflammation, and support nutrient absorption.

By implementing these natural, evidence-based treatments, you can work to restore your digestive tract to optimal health.

Functional medicine is a personalized, science-based approach that harnesses the expertise of skilled practitioners. At BionwoRx, our functional medicine-trained nurse practitioner specializes in treating gastritis. We don’t just address your symptoms – we aim to treat the whole you, resolving any other conditions or concerns you’re experiencing. Our holistic, personalized care is grounded in the latest research to help you achieve optimal health.

FAQs.

Why does my stomach hurt after I eat?

First, always rule out heart problems. If you’re unsure, seek urgent medical assistance right away. Gastritis and reflux pain can easily be confused with cardiac pain.

If the area below the base of your sternum hurts after eating, it may be gastritis – irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining. If you feel burning higher in your chest, it’s likely acid reflux. Gastritis pain is often described as indigestion, though that’s a broad term for general upper abdominal discomfort.

Here are some signs of gastritis:

  • Eating may relieve or worsen the pain
  • Burping/belching after eating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Hiccups
  • Weight loss
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

And signs of reflux/heartburn:

  • Pain above the base of the sternum that can radiate to the neck, jaw, and throat
  • Acid taste in the mouth
  • Hoarse voice
  • Sore throat

For more details, check out our acid reflux page.

What foods help gastritis?

Merely relieving the symptoms of gastritis may not be enough to fully heal it. While some medications can reduce stomach acid and provide symptom relief, they don’t address the root cause of the issue.

Bananas can be a soothing option, as they can help neutralize stomach acid and provide fiber to aid digestion.

Identifying and eliminating any food allergies or intolerances from your diet can also help alleviate gastritis symptoms.

Slippery elm powder can offer relief and provide prebiotic fiber to support gut health, which can aid recovery from gastritis. However, the most effective approach is to identify and treat the underlying cause of the gastritis.

The key is taking a comprehensive approach – addressing both the symptoms and the root issue. This will provide the best path to lasting relief and healing.

How long does it take gastritis to heal?

The length of your gastritis symptoms and their underlying cause are key factors. To achieve long-term relief, it’s essential to identify and address the root cause, as well as any contributing factors.

Can gastritis cause back pain?

The pain from gastritis can sometimes radiate around to the upper back in certain individuals. It may feel like a sharp, burning, or stabbing sensation in the chest and back. This is because the nerves between the digestive system overlap, resulting in referred pain.

Similar to the upper abdominal pain, the back pain associated with gastritis is typically more severe after eating.

How to treat gastritis naturally?

To relieve gastritis symptoms, try mixing 3 teaspoons of slippery elm powder in a glass of water and drinking it quickly. However, it’s essential to also drink plenty of water – ideally 2 liters per day – when taking any fiber supplement to avoid constipation.

Eating a banana may also help reduce stomach acid and alleviate gastritis symptoms. An even better approach is to switch to a diet focused on fresh, whole, unprocessed fruits and vegetables instead of fast, spicy, fatty, and highly processed foods. This can go a long way in reducing gastritis symptoms.

For lasting relief, work with a functional medicine gastritis specialist to identify your personal triggers. This will help you achieve optimal digestive health and become symptom-free.

Request a personal consultation.