Gastritis is an inflammatory digestive condition that affects 8 out of 1,000 people. However, the most common cause of gastritis is H.Pylori infection. H. Pylori impacts up to 75% of the population around the world, making it essential to understand this condition so preventative and treatment strategies can be implemented for patients who are at risk. Fortunately, functional medicine labs are powerful tools to help investigate gastritis, its underlying causes, and any other risk factors so patients with gastritis can effectively manage this condition and mitigate negative long-term health effects that can occur with this condition.

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What Are The Two Types of Gastritis?

Gastritis is when the stomach lining gets inflamed. It usually happens due to infection or autoimmunity. The stomach lining is meant to be a protective barrier; in gastritis, the immune system attacks this barrier. Gastritis can either be short-lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). There are two primary forms of gastritis, acute and chronic, both causing inflammation. Only one of them, chronic gastritis, can lead to the stomach lining wearing away over time. Other types of gastritis also include erosive and non-erosive. In erosive, the stomach lining is damaged, leading to ulcerations.

In contrast, non-erosive gastritis causes irritation and inflammation of the lining, leading to digestive issues. Gastritis can also be named for the cause, such as drug-induced gastritis. If the condition is not treated, this can result in a loss of cells in the stomach that make acid, impacting digestion and increasing the chances of stomach cancer. Gastritis with ulcers can also result in hidden blood loss.

How Does Gastritis Happen in The Body, And What Are The Risk Factors? 

Gastritis arises when the stomach's protective mucus lining weakens, enabling digestive juices to inflict harm and inflammation upon the stomach wall. This inflammation can have multiple origins. 

Infections, notably the prevalent bacterial infection H. pylori, stand as a frequent cause of gastritis and stomach ulcers. Genetic and lifestyle factors, including smoking and diet, render certain individuals more prone to symptoms prompted by this bacterium. Gastritis can also stem from other infections like parasites and fungi.

The interplay between gastritis and its treatment, alongside the presence of pathogens and bacteria in the small intestine, is demonstrated by Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). Gastritis-induced stomach inflammation and compromised gastric acid secretion can cause SIBO to develop when gastric bacteria migrate to the small intestine or proliferate within the stomach. Recent research suggests prolonged use of acid-blocking medications, such as proton pump inhibitors, creates an environment inhospitable to acid-loving H. pylori while providing a conducive space for the growth of other bacteria.

Regularly consuming nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can diminish substances that safeguard the stomach lining, ultimately resulting in acute inflammation and gastritis.

Age plays a role, too, as the stomach lining naturally thins with advancing years, heightening the vulnerability to gastritis.

Regarding risk factors for gastritis, a spectrum of influences comes into play, encompassing biological and infectious elements, environment, and individual behaviors. Common risk factors include food reactions, bacterial overgrowth, impaired digestion, autoimmune disorders, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, conditions fostering imbalanced inflammation like Crohn's disease, HIV/AIDS, celiac disease, and sarcoidosis, along with intense stress stemming from significant surgery, injury, burns, or severe infections.

Gastritis Symptoms

Gastritis typically appears as stomach discomfort and pain resulting from inflammation and irritation in the stomach lining. Alongside this, it can trigger various other symptoms:

• A burning pain in the upper abdomen, often tied to indigestion
• Feeling full after meals
• Heartburn or acid reflux
• Hiccups
• Reduced appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting, possibly with blood or coffee ground-like material
• Dark stools due to blood in the stool
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Skin issues and rashes
• Neglected gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers and bleeding over time

If stomach pain or indigestion persists despite treatment, dietary and lifestyle changes, seeking medical attention is crucial. Patients should contact a doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Abdominal pain or indigestion that persists for a week or more and is severe
• Continuous vomiting that causes dehydration or difficulty in maintaining proper nutrition
• Vomit or stool containing blood or looks like "coffee grounds"
• Experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint
• Intense stomach pain following the use of a new prescription or over-the-counter medication, especially pain relievers

What Are The Benefits of Regular Lab Testing For Patients With Gastritis?

Regular lab testing for gastritis patients should be completed to reduce the risks of complications. Health complications such as ulcerations, bleeding, digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, polyps, atrophy (destruction) of the stomach cells, and increased risk of cancer can be mitigated through testing. Investigating the contributing causes and risk factors through testing can enable practitioners to customize their preventative measures and treatment strategies to effectively manage gastritis for their patients.

Top Labs To Run Bi-Annually On Patients With Gastritis

The following functional labs are commonly used by providers for their gastritis patients:

H. Pylori

This bacteria is the most common cause of gastritis, making it an imperative lab test for patients with gastritis. This test identifies H.pylori infections through quantitative PCR technology, which provides practitioners with valuable insight to monitor treatments through retesting as part of the treatment strategy. The H. Pylori Profile also investigates antibiotic-resistant genes and virulence factor genes to further guide treatment.

Comprehensive Stool Test

Gastritis is an inflammatory gut condition, and a comprehensive stool test assesses for various factors that contribute to digestive inflammation. This test analyzes imbalances in the microbiome, inflammatory markers, and overgrowth of pathogens, including H. pylori, that are indicated in gastritis. It's also a tool to assess for conditions such as Crohn's that can contribute to gastritis. Doctors can utilize this test to evaluate the health of the gut and aim treatments at reducing inflammation and restoring balance to inflammatory gut conditions.

SIBO Assessment

Gastritis and its treatment can disturb the balance of bacteria, potentially causing SIBO. To check for this, a non-invasive 3-hour breath test can be used to assess the presence of excessive bacteria in the small intestine that isn't usually there. The test measures hydrogen and methane levels that are present with SIBO. Gastritis and its treatment can both affect and be affected by pathogens and bacteria in the small intestines. If gastritis inflames the stomach and disrupts proper gastric acid secretion, gastric bacteria might move to the small intestine or grow excessively in the stomach, possibly leading to SIBO. This test should be utilized by practitioners for patients with gastritis and suspected SIBO. Retesting will allow for accurate treatment management.

Food Sensitivity Panel

Food reactions can contribute to gut inflammation. It has also been associated as a risk factor for gastritis. Therefore, testing for food reactions is indicated for patients with gastritis who may have foods that are aggravating their symptoms. This food sensitivity panel assesses the top reactive foods, and results can guide personalized nutritional plans to address gut conditions such as gastritis.

Micronutrient Panel

A micronutrient panel is indicated in patients with gastritis because deficiencies of vitamins and nutrients can occur in chronic gastritis. These patients have been shown to have low levels of nutrients such as B12, iron, magnesium, and zinc. A micronutrient panel assesses levels of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients supporting overall health. Regular testing of these levels can ensure adequate levels of these nutrients for patients with gastritis.

Additional Labs to Check 

It is important to note that diagnoses of gastritis are completed through imaging and biopsy. An upper endoscopy can view the GI tract to visualize inflammation and gastritis. The biopsy is a tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis. Intrinsic factor may also be tested if autoimmune gastritis is suspected, as positive levels of these antibodies have been associated with this specific type of gastritis.

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Summary

Gastritis affects the gastric mucosa (stomach lining) by creating inflammation in that area. This GI condition has many underlying causes and risk factors, such as H.Pylori and food reactions. Although gastritis will usually resolve and doesn't usually cause severe issues, long-term gastritis can create negative health consequences such as nutrient deficiencies or even an increased risk of stomach cancer. 

A functional medicine approach uses labs to look at the underlying causes, and preventative measures and treatment protocols can be put in place to reduce the possible negative impacts of this condition for patients. These tests enable practitioners to personalize their treatment protocols based on the lab results and the specific health needs of their patients to improve symptoms and overall health.