Gastropathy: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What are the types of gastropathy?

Gastropathy refers to disorders or conditions that affect the stomach and its functions. There are several types of gastropathy, including:

1. Gastroparesis: Delayed gastric emptying, which is the most common type of gastropathy. It occurs when the stomach takes too long to empty its contents into the small intestine.
2. Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining, which can be acute or chronic. It can be caused by infection, trauma, or other factors.
3. Gastric ulcers: Open sores on the stomach lining, which can be caused by bacterial infection (Helicobacter pylori), stress, smoking, or other factors.
4. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.
5. Functional gastropathy: A condition in which the stomach functions abnormally without any visible structural damage. It can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
6. Hypertrophic gastropathy: A condition in which the stomach muscle thickens and becomes abnormal, leading to delayed gastric emptying.
7. Pseudo-gastropathy: A condition in which the stomach appears to be affected by gastropathy but is actually normal.
8. Gastropathy caused by systemic diseases: Certain systemic diseases, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and amyloidosis, can affect the stomach and cause gastropathy-like symptoms.
9. Radiation-induced gastropathy: Irradiation to the abdomen can cause inflammation and scarring of the stomach lining, leading to gastropathy-like symptoms.
10. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu): An acute infection of the stomach caused by viruses such as norovirus or rotavirus.
11. Bacterial gastroenteritis (food poisoning): An acute infection of the stomach caused by bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter.
12. Parasitic gastroenteritis (gastrointestinal parasites): Infections caused by parasites such as Giardia or Cryptosporidium that affect the stomach and intestines.

It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of gastropathy and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

What are the symptoms of gastropathy?

Here are some common symptoms of gastropathy, along with specific disorders:

Gastroparesis (Delayed Gastric Emptying)

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Bloating and gas
• Feeling full quickly
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Regurgitation of food
• Difficulty swallowing
• Diarrhea or constipation

Gastritis (Inflammation of the Stomach Lining)

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of weight
• Blood in stool or vomit (in severe cases)
• Difficulty swallowing (in cases of severe inflammation)

Gastric Ulcers

• Severe abdominal pain, often at night or after eating
• Nausea and vomiting blood or “coffee ground” material
• Black tarry stools (melena)
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• Heartburn or chest pain (regurgitation of stomach acid into the esophagus)
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Regurgitation of food
• Nausea and vomiting
• Coughing or wheezing (in severe cases)
• Hoarseness or sore throat

Functional Gastropathy

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating and gas
• Feeling full quickly
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Regurgitation of food

Hypertrophic Gastropathy

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating and gas
• Feeling full quickly
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Radiation-Induced Gastropathy

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fatigue
• Weight loss

Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)

• Fever over 101.5°F (38.6°C)
• Watery diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days
• Vomiting that lasts for more than 2 days
• Abdominal cramps and tenderness

Bacterial Gastroenteritis (Food Poisoning)

• Sudden onset of nausea and vomiting within hours of eating contaminated food or drink
• Diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days
• Fever over 101.5°F (38.6°C)
• Abdominal cramps and tenderness

Parasitic Gastroenteritis (Gastrointestinal Parasites)

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever or chills
• Fatigue and weakness

It’s essential to note that these symptoms can vary in severity and may not always be present. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What are the treatments for gastropathy?

Here are some common treatments for gastropathy, along with specific disorders:

Gastroparesis (Delayed Gastric Emptying)

• Medications:
  • Metoclopramide (Reglan) to stimulate gastric emptying
  • Domperidone (Motilium) to stimulate gastric emptying
  • Erythromycin (Ery-Tab) to stimulate gastric emptying
  • Baclofen (Gablofen) to reduce muscle spasms and improve gastric emptying
• Dietary changes:
  • Small, frequent meals
  • Avoid fatty or greasy foods
  • Avoid spicy or acidic foods
  • Avoid carbonated drinks
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Elevate the head of the bed by 6-8 inches to reduce acid reflux
  • Avoid lying down after eating
  • Avoid heavy exercise after eating

Gastritis (Inflammation of the Stomach Lining)

• Medications:
  • Histamine-2 (H2) blockers (e.g., ranitidine, famotidine) to reduce acid production
  • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole) to reduce acid production
  • Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) to reduce inflammation
• Dietary changes:
  • Avoid spicy or acidic foods
  • Avoid fatty or greasy foods
  • Avoid carbonated drinks
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Avoid stress
  • Take regular breaks and rest

Gastric Ulcers

• Medications:
  • H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine, famotidine) to reduce acid production
  • PPIs (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole) to reduce acid production
  • Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, clarithromycin) to treat Helicobacter pylori infection
• Dietary changes:
  • Avoid spicy or acidic foods
  • Avoid fatty or greasy foods
  • Avoid carbonated drinks
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Avoid stress
  • Take regular breaks and rest

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• Medications:
  • PPIs (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole) to reduce acid production
  • H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine, famotidine) to reduce acid production
  • Antacids (e.g., Tums, Rolaids) to neutralize stomach acid
• Dietary changes:
  • Eat small, frequent meals
  • Avoid lying down after eating
  • Avoid fatty or greasy foods
  • Avoid spicy or acidic foods
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Elevate the head of the bed by 6-8 inches to reduce acid reflux at night

Functional Gastropathy

• Medications:
  • Anti-anxiety medications (e.g., buspirone) to reduce anxiety and stress
  • Antidepressants (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) to treat depression and anxiety
• Dietary changes:
  • Small, frequent meals
  • Avoid fatty or greasy foods
  • Avoid spicy or acidic foods
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Stress management techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga)
  • Regular exercise and physical activity

Hypertrophic Gastropathy

• Medications:
  • Prokinetics (e.g., metoclopramide, domperidone) to stimulate gastric emptying
• Dietary changes:
  • Small, frequent meals
  • Avoid fatty or greasy foods
  • Avoid spicy or acidic foods
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Regular exercise and physical activity

Radiation-Induced Gastropathy

• Medications:
  • Anti-nausea medications (e.g., ondansetron, granisetron)
• Dietary changes:
  • Small, frequent meals
  • Avoid fatty or greasy foods
  • Avoid spicy or acidic foods
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Stay hydrated with plenty of fluids

Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)

• Rest and hydration with plenty of fluids
• Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications (e.g., loperamide)
• Antibiotics may be necessary if there is a bacterial infection

Bacterial Gastroenteritis (Food Poisoning)

• Rest and hydration with plenty of fluids
• Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications (e.g., loperamide)
• Antibiotics may be necessary if there is a bacterial infection

Parasitic Gastroenteritis (Gastrointestinal Parasites)

• Medications:
  • Anthelmintics (e.g., mebendazole, albendazole) to treat parasitic infections
• Dietary changes:
  • Avoid undercooked meat and raw vegetables
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly

It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of gastropathy. The treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of the condition.