Disorders of the Gastrointestinal System, 2nd Edition
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● Older age: The risk of gastritis increases with age because older adults’ gastric lining generally thins, and older adults are more likely to be infected with H. pylori (Azer & Akhondi, 2022). ● Bile reflux disease : Under normal conditions, bile is released from the gallbladder and enters the small intestine, which assists in fats digestion. The pyloric valve prevents bile from traveling into the stomach from the small intestine. However, if the valve fails to work properly, bile can flow into the stomach, causing irritation, inflammation, and— eventually—chronic gastritis. This is most commonly seen in patients who have had gastric surgery (Azer & Akhondi, 2022). ● Autoimmune gastritis : This is a rare form of typically non-erosive gastritis that occurs when the patient’s body attacks the cells of the stomach lining, damaging them. The patient’s immune system inappropriately targets the stomach lining in these cases. This form of gastritis is more common in persons with other autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn’s disease or Hashimoto’s (Azer & Akhondi, 2022). ● Various diseases : Certain diseases and events can predispose someone to gastritis. The stress of major surgery, trauma, burns, or severe infections can trigger acute gastritis. Chronic gastritis may be associated with inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, food allergies, peptic ulcer disease, and parasitic infections (El- Nakeep, 2021).
Both may cause reddening of the gastric mucosa, edema, and hemorrhage and can be either erosive or non-erosive. Ero- sive gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach is worn away, leaving ulcers in the lining. Nonerosive gastritis does not cause ulcers, but inflammation is present (El-Nakeep, 2021). When the stomach’s protective layer is weakened or injured, gastric digestive juices penetrate the stomach and dam- age and inflame the gastric lining (El-Na - keep 2021). Several factors can damage the stomach’s protective layer and predis- pose a person to gastritis: ● Bacterial infection : Helicobacter pylori is a common cause of chronic gastritis. It is estimated that 50% of the world’s population is infected with this bacterium, but most of those infected experience no gastric complications. In some individuals, the bacteria break down the gastric protective lining, and gastritis occurs. It is unknown why some people are susceptible to gastritis, and others are not, but some experts believe that lifestyle choices such as smoking and high alcohol intake may increase the risk of development (El-Nakeep, 2021). ● Drug use : Regular use of drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) can cause both acute and chronic gastritis. Such drugs should not be taken more than is necessary (El- Nakeep, 2021). ● Alcohol use : Alcohol has the potential to irritate and erode the lining of the stomach, increasing the risk of gastritis. Ingesting excessive amounts of alcohol is often linked to acute gastritis (El-Nakeep, 2021).
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