Acute Gastritis
What is Acute Gastritis
Acute gastritis means sudden inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining (gastric mucosa) — usually short-term but quite painful.
It starts suddenly, often after eating something wrong, taking certain medicines, or due to stress.
कारण
Acute gastritis can happen due to:
- Dietary causes:
- Spicy, oily, or junk food
- Overeating or eating too fast
- Food poisoning or stale food
2. Chemical causes:
- Alcohol, tobacco, excessive tea/coffee
- Painkillers (like aspirin, ibuprofen) or steroids
3. Stress & tension:
- Sudden emotional shock or worry
4. Infections:
- H. pylori bacteria or viral stomach infection
5. Other causes:
- After surgery, fever, or fasting for long periods
Pathophysiology
When irritants (like spicy food, alcohol, etc.) come in contact with the stomach lining,
- the mucous barrier gets damaged
- stomach acid (HCl) directly irritates the tissue
- causing redness, swelling, erosion, and pain.
If severe → vomiting of blood or erosive gastritis may occur.
लक्षण
- Burning or pain in upper abdomen (epigastric region)
- Mitli (nausea) and vomiting (kabhi kabhi khali pet bhi)
- भूख न लगना
- Heaviness and bloating after food
- Sour belching, acidity feeling
- Headache, weakness, or mild fever in some cases
- In severe erosive cases → vomit may contain blood (coffee-ground like)
प्रकार
- Simple (Catarrhal) Gastritis – mild inflammation, most common
- Erosive Gastritis – superficial ulcers/bleeding
- Toxic Gastritis – due to strong drugs or chemicals
- Infective Gastritis – due to bacteria/virus
Homeopathic Understanding
Homeopathy treats gastritis not as a local issue only, but as a whole-body imbalance.
The stomach is often affected due to stress, wrong habits, or lifestyle, and the aim is to restore internal harmony (vital force).
Homeopathy works by soothing the mucosa, reducing burning, and balancing digestion — without suppressing natural functions like vomiting or appetite.
Key Homeopathic Medicines for Acute Gastritis
- Nux Vomica
- For overeating, alcohol, coffee, spicy food, or mental stress
- Cramping pain, fullness, acidity, and irritability
- Constant urge to vomit but vomiting gives no relief
- Suits sedentary, overworked, short-tempered people
- Worse: after food, in morning
- Better: with rest or after passing stool
2. Arsenicum Album
- Burning pain in stomach – as if from fire
- Anxiety, restlessness, and weakness
- Worse at midnight (12–2 AM)
- Vomiting and diarrhoea after spoiled or contaminated food
- Wants warm drinks, small sips frequently
3. Ipecacuanha
- Constant nausea and vomiting, not relieved by vomiting
- Tongue clean, despite strong nausea
- Food poisoning, or overeating sweets and rich food
- Face pale, eyes sunken
- Worse: after eating, motion
- Better: rest
4. Pulsatilla Nigricans
- After eating oily, buttery, creamy food
- Heaviness, nausea, and fullness
- Mouth bad taste, no thirst
- Better in open air, worse in warm room
- Suits mild, emotional, weepy people
5. Carbo Vegetabilis
- For gas, bloating, and weakness after food
- Feels cold, wants to be fanned
- Burps give temporary relief
- For elderly, exhausted constitutions
Diet & Management
- at light, bland food (khichdi, soup, toast)
- Avoid spicy, oily, or fried items
- Avoid alcohol, coffee, and smoking
- Drink lukewarm water, not cold
- Eat small meals frequently instead of heavy ones
- Rest the stomach for 12–24 hours if severe vomiting occurs
- Do not take painkillers unnecessarily
- Practice deep breathing / meditation for stress
Homeopathic Outlook
Homeopathy offers quick relief in acute gastritis by reducing inflammation and balancing gastric acid naturally.
It helps:
- Ease burning and nausea
- Restore appetite
- Prevent recurrence of acidity and dyspepsia
