Pressure and burning in your upper belly, food sitting like a rock in your stomach, plus nausea and no appetite – that’s what an irritated or inflamed stomach lining feels like. Gastritis is one of the most common stomach conditions there is. It can come on suddenly and clear up fast, or it can develop slowly over time without you noticing much at all. Here you’ll learn which forms exist, what causes them and how treatment works.
Key takeaways
- Gastritis means inflammation of the stomach lining – either acute (sudden, usually short-lived) or chronic (slow to develop, often unnoticed for a long time).
- Main symptoms: pressure and pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, feeling full, loss of appetite, belching.
- Most common triggers: the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, painkillers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen), alcohol and stress.
- Acute gastritis usually heals on its own if you take it easy; chronic gastritis needs treatment aimed at the cause.
- Warning signs like vomiting blood or black stool are emergencies.
What happens in gastritis?
Your stomach lining is a small marvel. It produces hydrochloric acid that kills germs and kicks off digestion – and at the same time, it protects itself with a layer of mucus so it doesn’t digest itself. Gastritis develops when this balance tips: either too much acid or irritating substances attack the lining, or the protective layer gets weaker. The result is inflammation – anything from mild irritation to small sores in the lining.
Symptoms: How gastritis makes itself felt
- Pain and pressure in the upper abdomen: burning or dull, sometimes worse on an empty stomach, sometimes worse after eating.
- Nausea and loss of appetite: sometimes to the point of vomiting – especially with the acute form.
- Feeling full and belching: even small meals “sit like a stone” in your stomach.
- Vague courses: chronic gastritis often causes hardly any symptoms for a long time and only shows up through its effects, such as anemia, or as a chance finding.
The main causes – and why telling them apart matters
- Helicobacter pylori (type B): this stomach bacterium is the most common cause of chronic gastritis. It survives in the acidic environment and keeps the inflammation going – but it can be treated in a targeted way.
- Painkillers and irritating substances (type C): non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or diclofenac weaken the lining’s protection – especially when combined with alcohol and nicotine.
- Autoimmune form (type A): less often, the immune system attacks the acid-producing cells; over time this can impair the absorption of vitamin B12.
- Acute triggers: infections, heavy meals, binge drinking and severe stress can acutely irritate the lining for a short time.
Good to know: “Stress goes straight to the stomach” is more than a saying – ongoing tension increases acid production and reduces blood flow to the lining. Stress is rarely the sole cause, but it’s almost always involved as an amplifier.
Gastritis is usually very treatable – but the following signs are emergencies, because they can point to bleeding in the stomach:
- Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Black, tarry stool
- Sudden, extremely severe abdominal pain with a hard, rigid belly
- Feeling faint, pale skin or cold sweats
Don’t hesitate:
Call 112 (emergency)
