Gastritis

Gastritis is the irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining.

1. Duodenal ulcers are very commonly seen in practice than gastric ulcers.
2. People with ”O” positive and ”B” positive blood group are commonly affected.
3. Mostly people with Vata pitta Prakriti and pitta Vata Prakriti suffer from ulcers.
4. Even though everybody has acid secretions, the erosion of the lining of the stomach and duodenum occurs only in 1 out of 10 people.

Causes —

• Helicobacter pylori bacteria is a common causative factor in our country.
• Usually other bacterias do not grow in acidic stomach.
• Acute stress among executives is a causative factor.
• Drugs like aspirin, NSAID, ingestion of corrosive substances can produce erosive gastritis.
• Many people come with a history of prolonged usage of Aspirin. They usually do not have pain.

Symptoms —

1. Indigestion, upper abdominal discomforts are common.
2. There may be loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and weight loss.
3. In many cases, emptiness and hunger feeling are seen.
4. Ulcer like symptoms including pain when stomach is empty.
5. Melena (blood in stools) is commonly seen and there will be anaemia also.
6. Pain is noted in a definite area and it usually develops in mid night (1 to 2am) (Duodenal ulcer)

Diagnosis —

1. Diagnosis is clinical. Endoscopy is needed if there is no response after 6 months of treatment and if the age is above 50 years.
2. If weight loss is seen in a patient above 50 years, endoscopy is must.
3. Usually Barium meal study does not reveal an ulcer, thereby having a chance of missing 20% of peptic ulcer cases.
4. If the patient is young and he is not responding to treatment even after 2 months, endoscopic biopsy will be useful.
5. We can suspect H pylori in reflux conditions.

Investigation —

• Endoscopy is more reliable than Barium meal study.

Treatment —

Acute Phase —

• Drinking milk relieves the pain and re occurs after 2 hours.
• In first stage, Gulma chikitsa, amashaya gata vata chikitsa. We are using Tikte Rasa guna yukta oushadhas
• In Second stage, We use Madhura rasa because Madhura is snigdham and pitta Vata shamanam also.
• Mridu virechanam and Kshira Vasti

Kashayam —

• Amrita Shadangam Kashayam
• Amruthotharam Kashayam
• Maha Tiktakam Kashayam
• Kaidaryadi Kashayam
• Shadanga Paniyam without Shunthi
• Drakshadi kashayam
• Vidaryadi kashayam
• Yasthimadhu, Musta Kashayam with honey
• Musta, Daruharidra, Dhanyaka kashayam

Churnam —

• Sudarshana Churna
• Triphala Churna

Gulika —

• Pravala Pishti
• Shankha Vati
• Panchanimbadi Gutika
• Prabhakara Vati

Lehyam —

• Parushakadi lehyam
• Mrdvikaadi Lehyam

Rasa Oushadha —

• Akika Bhasma
• Pravala Bhasma

Diet —

• Have an early dinner
• Food has to be well masticated & swallowed. Must drink water after food.
• Small frequent meals
• Curry Leaves, Butter milk, greens, carrot and fibre rich vegetables are highly recommended for intake.

Dont’s —

• Avoid fasting & full meals
• Avoid intake of cold water in empty stomach
• Avoid smoking & alcohol.
• Intake of food in hotel, cool drinks and bakery items are to be avoided.
• Reduce intake of Coffee & Tea
• Reduce spicy, sour, oily food stuffs, tubers, pickles, fried items etc.,

Reference —

Principles & Practice of Ayurvedic Medicine.