Gastritis is a condition in which the stomach lining is inflamed, which can cause abdominal pain, nausea, bloating and post-eating discomfort. Besides treatment according to doctor's instructions, maintaining a proper diet and healthy lifestyle also helps patients control symptoms and protect the stomach.
How to eat when you have gastritis?
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of Surgery, Phuong Dong General Hospital, patients should prioritize soft, easy-to-digest, low-fat foods such as rice, bread, potatoes, cereals; easy-to-digest protein sources such as poultry, fish, eggs, tofu and low-fat dairy products. Green vegetables, carrots, pumpkins, cucumbers and some fruits such as bananas, apples, pears can be chosen depending on their absorption capacity.
Instead of overeating at once, patients should eat a moderate amount and can divide it into many small meals a day if they find it suitable. It is important to maintain a relatively regular meal schedule, avoiding being too hungry or eating too much at the same time.
Some foods that can make symptoms more uncomfortable include spicy foods, acidic foods, greasy fried foods, alcohol, beer, coffee, strong tea and carbonated soft drinks. However, not all patients react the same way. Therefore, you should limit foods that actually increase symptoms instead of excessive abstinence.
Yogurt can be used if the patient tolerates it well. Porridge and soup are easy-to-digest options, especially when there are severe symptoms. A small amount of ginger can help reduce nausea in some people, while honey can be used with warm water if appropriate. These are not alternatives to medical treatment.
Regular lifestyle, reduce stress
Stress can make digestive symptoms more uncomfortable. Patients should spend time resting, relaxing, and can choose meditation, yoga, reading, or listening to music. Maintaining a sleep of about 7-8 hours each night also helps the body recover and maintain overall health.
Light activities such as walking, swimming, or yoga can help improve health and reduce stress. Conversely, you should avoid overtraining, especially when you have symptoms.
Smoking and drinking alcohol also need to be restricted or stopped. Cigarettes can increase acid secretion and affect the protective barrier of the mucous membrane, while alcohol can irritate and damage the stomach lining.
Treat the cause correctly, do not arbitrarily use medicine
People with gastritis should be examined when symptoms are prolonged or recurrent to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment instructions. Depending on the case, the doctor may prescribe endoscopy or tests to find H. pylori bacteria.
If infected with H. pylori, patients need to be treated thoroughly according to the regimen chosen by the doctor. Reduced acid secretion drugs, mucosal protectors and other drugs should also be used as prescribed. Patients should not buy antibiotics themselves or prolong the duration of medication themselves.
Some herbal products such as turmeric, licorice or aloe vera are studied for their ability to support digestion and protect the mucous membranes, but the evidence and appropriateness depend on each case. Therefore, patients should consult a doctor before use, especially when taking medication.
Not all people with gastritis need regular endoscopy. Endoscopy and necessary tests will be considered by doctors based on symptoms, age, medical history and risk factors.
In particular, if vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss appear, patients need to go to a medical facility for timely check-ups.
Maintaining a proper diet, eating regularly, getting enough sleep, exercising moderately, limiting alcohol and tobacco, and complying with treatment are things that patients can actively do every day to control symptoms and protect stomach health.
