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- What is gastritis?
- Symptoms of gastritis
- Causes of gastritis
- Prevention of gastritis
- Risk factors for gastritis
- Complications of gastritis
- When to see a doctor about gastritis
- Diagnosis of gastritis
- Conventional treatment of gastritis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of gastritis
- Living with gastritis
- Caring for someone with gastritis
Initially, a doctor will perform the following tests to diagnose gastritis:
- Medical history - the doctor will ask a series of questions about the nature, duration and intensity of the symptoms and also when the symptoms started. The doctor will also ask if any activities make the symptoms specifically worse or better
- Physical examination - the doctor will examine the stomach area for pain or discomfort, by pressing down (gently to firmly) on various parts of the upper and lower abdomen while the patient is lying down
- Breath test - if overgrowth of the helicobacter pylori bacteria is suspected, then a breath test will be requested. In this test, the technician provides you with a special liquid to drink, which has a substance that is broken down in the stomach if the helicobacter pylori bacteria is present. This is tested by breathing into a breath analyser to detect if there is an infection of the helicobacter pylori bacteria and how much of the bacteria is present
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If conservative treatment does not resolve symptoms, then a special test will need to be performed by a specialist (gastroenterologist) to have a thorough look at the stomach, take a biopsy and to determine if there is another underlying condition:
- Endoscopy (or gastroscopy) - this is a diagnostic test which is performed under light sedation to definitely diagnose the cause of the stomach pain and the procedure is as follows:
- Light intravenous sedation is given to the patient
- Gastroenterologist inserts a sterile, flexible tube with a camera at one end inside the mouth and through the eosophagus into the stomach
- Images are taken of the stomach lining
- A small amount of the stomach lining is taken to perform test to determine cause of gastritis and to ensure it is not due to a malignancy
- The procedure is usually performed on a day patient basis with patients spending only a few hours in the surgery
- Follow-up includes a breath test to determine if treatment has killed off all the helicobacter pylori bacterium
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< 7: when to see a doctor 9: conventional treatment > Last reviewed: 10 November 2007 || Last updated: 27 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
