What Is Alcoholic Gastritis?

Alcoholic gastritis is a stomach condition caused by alcohol abuse and affects the gastric mucosa of the stomach. It can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and scarring of the gastric mucosa. The main cause of alcoholic gastritis is chronic alcohol abuse, although occasional heavy drinking can also cause the condition.

Symptoms:

- Abdominal pain

- Acid reflux

- Bloating

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Heartburn

- Black, tarry stools (a sign of bleeding in the stomach or intestines)

- Unintended weight loss

- Belching

- Early satiety (feeling full after eating small amounts)

Treatment:

In most cases the first step in treatment is to stop drinking alcohol completely. Medications can be recommended by doctors including antacids, proton pump inhibitors, histamine-2 receptor blockers and antibiotics.

Severe forms of alcoholic gastritis may require surgery.

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