30 Oct How To Treat Alcoholic Gastritis And When To Seek Medical Help

Over time, consuming too much alcohol can irritate and erode your stomach lining and cause gastritis symptoms.

Over-the-counter medications for symptom relief of alcoholic gastritis include antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers.

Antacids like Tums neutralize stomach acid but do not block stomach acid production. They work quickly, but the effects do not last longer than two hours.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium and Prilosec work by blocking the production and release of stomach acid. PPIs must be taken for 14 days, so they are not intended for immediate symptom relief because they may take one to four days to reach full effectiveness.

Histamine-2 blockers (H2 blockers) like Pepcid reduce the amount of stomach acid by blocking the histamine receptors in your stomach that produce and trigger the release of stomach acid. H2 blockers take effect in 15-30 minutes, and the effects last for up to 12 hours.

Suppose over-the-counter medications are not working well enough, or you are struggling to quit drinking alcohol. In that case, your doctor may prescribe you medications like cytoprotective agents or medications for alcohol dependence.

Cytoprotective agents protect the gastric mucosa from injury in ways other than by inhibiting or neutralizing gastric acid.[1] Examples of cytoprotective agents include aluminum-containing antacids, colloidal bismuth, and sucralfate.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three medications for alcohol dependence. They are acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone.

• Acamprosate increases abstinence rates and reduces relapse rates.
• Disulfiram has significant adverse effects and compliance difficulties, and there is an absence of evidence that it is effective in decreasing relapse rates, increasing abstinence rates, or reducing cravings.
• Naltrexone increases abstinence rates and reduces cravings and relapse rates.

The anticonvulsant topiramate and several serotonergic agents, such as fluoxetine and ondansetron, are not FDA-approved to treat alcohol dependence. Still, they may help decrease drinking while increasing abstinence rates.

Ginger and turmeric are both rhizomes (root stalks) that can relieve pain. The pain-relieving active ingredients in ginger are the phytochemicals gingerols and shogaols. Ginger can help treat and prevent the growth of H. pylori bacteria and may help protect the lining of your stomach.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that can help improve gastric issues. You can make tea with ginger or turmeric, add ginger or turmeric to food and drinks, or take supplement pills.

Slippery elm contains a substance called mucilage that becomes a slick gel when it is mixed with water. This gel coats and soothes the intestines, mouth, stomach, and throat when ingested. Slippery elm also has cytoprotective properties, as it increases mucus secretion in the GI tract. You can take slippery elm capsules, lozenges, or tablets or make slippery elm tea.

Alcoholic gastritis disrupts the delicate balance of healthy bacteria in the gut microbiome, but taking probiotics can help reverse this damage.[2]

Ulcers do not always cause symptoms, but possible signs and symptoms of an ulcer include:

• Abdominal pain
• Belching
• Bloating or a feeling of fullness
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The first signs of a slow-bleeding ulcer are symptoms of anemia. An ulcer that is bleeding heavily may cause black and sticky stool, bloody vomit that has the consistency of coffee grounds, or dark red or maroon blood in your stool. Rapid or heavy bleeding from an ulcer can be life-threatening. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.

Ulcers and bleeding usually require emergency surgery.

Anemia is a low red blood cell count or low levels of hemoglobin caused by decreased production of red blood cells, impaired function of red blood cells, or increased destruction of red blood cells. One effect of anemia is a decrease in your cells’ ability to transport oxygen to organs and tissues.

There are many different types of anemia. Macrocytic anemia is caused by deficiencies in B vitamins and folate resulting from excessive alcohol consumption.

Treatment for macrocytic anemia involves replacing vitamin B or folate levels through diet and/or supplementation and treating the underlying cause of the anemia.[3]

The symptoms of alcoholic gastritis can cause you to experience decreased appetite. Over time, eating less can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. This negatively impacts your health and recovery, but there are solutions to help you overcome malnutrition resulting from alcoholic gastritis.

Nutritional support supplies nutrients in ways other than by orally consuming food. Methods may include using a feeding tube (enteral nutrition) or an intravenous catheter (parenteral nutrition).

Strategies for prevention include:

• Eating small meals
• Managing stress
• Not drinking alcohol at all or only in moderation
• Not eating acidic, fatty, fried, or spicy foods
• Not taking aspirin or other NSAIDs
• Reducing your caffeine intake
• Quitting smoking
• Waiting until two to three hours after you eat before you lie down
• Washing your hands to avoid contracting an H. pylori bacterial infection

Alcoholic gastritis is very common in people who drink regularly over a period of years, but educating people and making them aware of the warning signs, causes, and complications of alcoholic gastritis can help with prevention.