Gastritis (Stomach Pain), What Is It and How to Find Relief
Most of us have suffered from gastritis at least one point in our lives. You ate something that disagreed with your stomach, and it burned. You took too many aspirin for a week when you were recovering from breaking your ankle, and your stomach started to ache. You drank too much alcohol during a weekend wedding celebration, and now your stomach hurts. What are the causes of gastritis, and what can be done to recover from it?
All About Gastritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Gastritis can occur acutely or become chronic. Most causes of acute gastritis include excessive alcohol consumption, use of NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or aspirin as examples), food poisoning, traumatic injury to the stomach, and major intestinal surgery. Chronic causes of gastritis include H. pylori infection, bile reflux, stress, uppergut overgrowth, liver or kidney disease, stomach cancer, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and long-term use of certain medication like NSAIDS. Finally, the food additive carrageenan has been implicated in causing chronic gastritis and excessive intestinal inflammation. 1 2 3 4
The most common symptoms of gastritis are a burning feeling in your stomach, stomach gnawing sounds, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, ulcers, indigestion, and bloating. Pernicious anemia, which is known as anemia that is caused by a B12 deficiency, is a symptom of chronic gastritis. 5 6 7 8
Diagnostic tests useful in the diagnosis of gastritis are X-rays, ECG, an endoscopy, blood cell count to determine pernicious anemia, H. pylori tests, liver, kidney, gallbladder, or pancreatic function tests (to determine possible bile reflux cause), and possible stomach biopsy. I recommend that you get a transnasal esophagoscopy instead of an endoscopy if possible. 9 10 11 12
What to Do to Relieve Your Gastritis
The two biggest causes of gastritis are H. pylori infection and NSAID overuse. If you are suffering from gastritis, you should test for H. pylori and even if it comes back negative I still would consider suffering from it, or having another uppergut overgrowth. If your gastritis occurred from NSAID use, ask your doctor about discontinuing the medication and using the follow supplements to attempt to heal the stomach lining.
Mild to Moderate Gastritis Protocol
- Pure Encapsulations zinc carnosine – take one capsule with a meal, twice daily
- DGL licorice chewable – Follow supplement recommendations on the bottle (take thirty minutes before a meal; chew very well and mix with saliva for effectiveness).
- L – glutamine – take 4,000 – 10,000 mg daily with food (use with caution if you have a sensitivity to glutamic acid, deficiency in GABA, or severe leaky gut and brain, or are suffering from uppergut overgrowth)
- Nordic Naturals Pro Omega – take one softgel, twice daily with food.
- D-limonene – one softgel daily with food.
- George’s aloe vera – Only use when the stomach is inflamed. Follow the general supplement bottle recommendations.
- Sodium Bicarbonate – Follow box recommendations for consumption, only use when stomach inflammation is at its worst.
- I would reduce consumption of gluten and casein to help improve digestion and reduce inflammation.
Zinc carnosine, DGL, D-limonene, and L-glutamine will repair the stomach lining. 13 14 15 16
Fish oil will help reduce inflammation.17
Aloe vera will help soothe the stomach.18
Severe Gastritis Protocol
Follow protocol above and add either:
- H2 antagonist: Pepcid
- Proton pump inhibitor: Zegerid (All PPI use comes at a risk, use only with caution)
TAKE PPI / H2 ANTAGONIST NO LONGER THAN TWO WEEKS
Consider using bismuth if needed, discontinue if it causes very dark stools or increases bleeding.
I chose Zegerid because it contains Prilosec, the PPI that has been in use the longest. Therefore its mechanism of action and side effects are well known. Zegerid is Prilosec mixed with sodium bicarbonate. Pepcid is the H2 antagonist with the least side effects.
Herbal Gastritis Protocol
- George’s aloe vera – only use the aloe vera when your stomach is inflamed. Follow the general supplement bottle recommendations.
- DGL licorice chewable – Follow supplement bottle recommendations (take thirty minutes before a meal; chew very well and mix with saliva for effectiveness).
- Solaray marshmallow extract – follow the general supplement bottle recommendations
- Now slippery elm extract – follow the general supplement bottle recommendations
- Organic chamomile tea – drink one cup, twice daily
Aloe vera will help soothe the stomach.
DGL, marshmallow, chamomile, and slippery elm will help soothe and repair the stomach’s mucous lining. 19
- Patton, Kevin, Thibodeau, Gary, Douglas, Matthew. Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, Mosby, March 16, 2011. ↩
- Dr. Brownstein, David. Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies that Do!, Medical Alternative Press, 2007. ↩
- Beers, Mark. The Merck Manual, Merck Research Laboratories, 2006. ↩
- http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/ ↩
- Patton, Kevin, Thibodeau, Gary, Douglas, Matthew. Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, Mosby, March 16, 2011. ↩
- Dr. Brownstein, David. Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies that Do!, Medical Alternative Press, 2007. ↩
- Beers, Mark. The Merck Manual, Merck Research Laboratories, 2006. ↩
- http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/ ↩
- Patton, Kevin, Thibodeau, Gary, Douglas, Matthew. Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, Mosby, March 16, 2011. ↩
- Dr. Brownstein, David. Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies that Do!, Medical Alternative Press, 2007. ↩
- Beers, Mark. The Merck Manual, Merck Research Laboratories, 2006. ↩
- http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/ ↩
- Halpern, Georges. Zinc Carnosine Nature’s Safe and Effective Remedy For Ulcers, Square One Publishers, May 1, 2005. ↩
- http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2006/9/cover_heartburn/page-01 ↩
- http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2009/05/glutamine-supplements-show-promise-in-treating-stomach-ulcers/ ↩
- http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/gastritis ↩
- http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/gastritis ↩
- Balch, Phyllis. Prescription for Herbal Healing, Avery Publishing, 2012. ↩
- Balch, Phyllis. Prescription for Herbal Healing, Avery Publishing, 2012. ↩
The product is not effective as it used to be. It has changed! It has no longer the same ingredients and properties. I would be very grateful if you could tell us what to buy instead.
As one client has noticed on Amazon: ” you look at the ingredients before the change it had 760mg of DGL, now it only has 75mg of DGL.”
Thanx!
Also, Jarrow D-Limonene is no longer available. What else could we take to replace it?
Thanx!
How can I tell if I have gastritis, GERD or gallstones. I’ve tried conventional doctors and alternative doctors. The two alternative doctors suspect Gastritis. I was on PPI’s for years and weaned off them. I have had burning pains just to the right of my chest bone ever since and also above my right hip, I have tried treating it as gallstones for two years but I am starting to think that it is not gallstones. Gerd was something I used to have but I have not suffered from reflux for at least 3 years, at least not reflux to my throat. Unless it is still reflux but maybe doesn’t travel as far as it used it used tio? That leaves gastritis. I’ve recently started taking capsules for Slippery Elm, Marshmallow root and DGL licourice. I guess they need time, but should I add D Limonene? Am I on the right track? It’s been years and honestly the pain is ruining my quality of life. Thanks for the interesting article.
you have heartburn. have you tried digestive bitters before you eat, chewing very slowly, smaller meals and if those don’t work apple cider vinegar.
Hello sir i am suffering from lax LES and and burning sensation just below the diafram at all time for last 07 years
Plz suggest me treatment
Dont know where to start. Been diagnosed with Diverticular Disease. Have had a couple bouts of Diverticulitis. Would like to find out if i can heal this or keep under control. When i look at various diets they are all over the place some say no yogurt, apples, pears, plums, fermented foods. And others save Mediterranean Diet. Looking for diet and supplement info.
Hello,
I’m looking for some help and direction with this. I’ve had gastritis for over 4 months now, for a few years I was doing shots in my back twice am onth that contained toradol. I have been off that for almost two months now. Do you know anything about whether this could cause it and how long the recovery time may be? Can I drink coffee and alcohol if it was caused by the NSAIDS?
Thanks,
Alex
Have had Gastritis for 4 months now. So I just purchased Aloe Juice,, slippery elm, zinc carnosine, licorice chews. Can all of these be taken at the same time? I’m also concerned with zinc carnosine hurting my stomach and insomnia. What is your take? How long does it take to heal gastritis? I tested negative for H pyloric and am on Prilosec
The formula for the DGL you recommend has changed. Now only 75mg per serving! Do you recommend a new product. How about Nova Nutritions?
https://www.amazon.com/Vital-Nutrients-Nutritional-Intestinal-Vegetarian/dp/B000KYMBT4/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1538620982&sr=1-4&keywords=DGL+powder
hello. Ive been suffering for a number of years. I’ve been told by a NYC doc that my LES remains open during the entire examination. I was positive for barretts three years ago, but then the following two endoscopies (1 year later and then another swallow test at 18 pos post barretts) and couldn’t detect it barretts, just esophagitis. I changed my diet so that helped with some inflammation I’m guessing. I have constant dull pain around the LES area and then most nights are really difficult with reflux pain even though i’m propped up significantly. I’ll have a couple ok nights then a couple awful nights. I’m working on mediation, chewing and eating much slower and eliminating excess belly fat, which i do have. What do you suggest? over the past 3 years I’ve tried D-limonene, bitters, cold herb teas like marshmallow root, gabapentin for vegas nerve damage, enzymes, HCL, celery juice, aloe vera from the plant mixed with coconut water. grain free, dairy free, without meat, with meat. LMK if you have any advice so I can enjoy my three young children and not be afraid to go to sleep at night. Thank you!
Hi John,
Thank you for your interesting article.
There is a warning on this D-Limonene to not take it if you have gastritis: https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-ultra-d-limonene-cold-pressed-orange-peel-extract-250-mg-60-sgels
I am really wanting to reduce gastritis but this makes me nervous to try it.
I would appreciate your feedback if you have time.
For some people it could irritate their stomach for a brief period of time. Taking it with zinc carnosine may protect against it.
Curious as to what route you chose after all.
Hi John,
In the context of having sibo/ yeast overgrowth with normal of even high stomach acid….what herbal antibiotics are best to use when one has gastritis? I know oregano is out for sure (ADP oregano caused my gastritis). I just found out dybiocide increase stomach acid. Is neem and garlic typically well tolerated? How about berberine (non hcl version). Atrantil is probably out because of the mint. Thoughts?
D-limonene, zinc carnosine, bismuth, clove oil mixed with extra virgin olive oil, mastic gum?
Hi
I was diagnosed with GERD a few years ago. I started taking antidepressants and it got under control. I still had to watch what I eat. Last month I had to take prednisone for an asthma attack which caused acid reflux and then it messed up my stomach. Very painful and can’t eat much. I was tested positive for H pyorli. I had to take two antibiotics and Prilosec for 10 ten days. I’m currently weaning off the PPI. Now I have some type of bile coming into my mouth constantly, heart burn and acid reflux. My GI doc thinks I have a lazy stomach, but all this started after I used prednisone. Do you think my current symptoms be from the bacteria or did the predisone just mess up my stomach? GI doc isn’t ready to do a scope yet. Just a bland diet for now.
Hi John.
Interesting comments. Three years ago I had an endoscopy for long-term unresolved issues with acid reflux. H. pylori biopsy negative. Severe esophagitis, ulcers, and gastritis, all but the gastritis resolved with 1 year of Prilosec and a bland diet. It took me a year to get off the Prilosec, and I’ve now been mostly free from reflux for only a month, thanks mainly to zinc carnosine, glutamine, and a restricted carbohydrate diet. I still have the gastritis. As I read your comment above, is it possible to assume that the gastroenterologist did not find anything but I am infected with pylori anyway? I don’t use NSAIDs. Is there a more accurate test for pylori than biopsy? I’d rather not go through that again. I’m 55, and have suffered from reflux since I was a baby.
Their is a fecal test you can do for H-pylori. I too had ulcers with no h-pylori and no NSAIDs. My functional medicine dr didn’t believe my stomach biopsy results and did the fecal test which according to him is more sensitive and shows all bacteria, fungus, and parasites in your GI tract. It also came up negative. I till maintain that my ulcers came from Ambian. My stomach starting killing when I started taking this drug. I am all better using natural protocol. I still get some silent reflux occaisionally. the zinc carnosine was a game changer, so was cabbage juice for a week. side note neurofeedback is a great alternative to sleep medications.
Have you tried probiotics? Something rang a bell when you said that you had been suffering from GERD since when you were a baby.
In France they give L. reuteri to babies to help them with this issue. But this probiotic is used in the US and some other countries to fight H. Pylori!
My husband and I were diagnosed with chronic gastritis during a gastroscopy. Ten years later it was still there, another gastroscopy confirmed it. After taking this probiotic (to relieve the SIBO-related symptoms: GERD, bloating, distention, constipation…) for a couple of months my husband’s third gastroscopy in eleven years came back negative for gastritis!
Btw, he was positive and teated for H. pilory with antibiotics before taking this probiotic. His symptoms remained. I was tested for times, biopsy, blood, breath and the results always came back negative.
Hope this helps someone… I know that my comment is somewhat late.
Thank you. I’ve doing all above protocols with no relief after more than a month. Endoscopy showed severe gastritis. Take DGL, slippery elm, marshmallow tea. Glutamine causes me insomnia and amps me up. Now on Prilosec for over a month, low fat, low avid diet. Zinc carnosine over a month. Also doing homeopathy for a week. Nat sulphuric, phosphorus and arsenicum. Still in pain
Endoscopy showed bile in my stomach and I don’t have a gallbladder…since 06. Have frequent gastritis but not like this. Have been under a lot of stress. No h pylori, no nsaids, no bad diet. Can this all be from stress? I think bile is playing a part and no one addresses that. George’s aloe seems to possibly irritate so I stopped it. Sometimes take Thorne GI encaps. I just need to get rid of this pain
Husband has stage 4 prostate cancer do I need to be healthy.
Thanks for any help
Hi John. I am thinking of trying d-limonene for the GERD I developed after taking a PPI for gastritis. The PPI caused many issues, GERD being one of them. I’m not sure if I still have gastritis or not. Is d-limonene safe to take if the gastritis is still there? Thanks for your help.
For most people use, it would coat the ulcers and reduce inflammation. Zinc carnosine may also cause relief.
Hi John,
My grandma is 70 years old, long hx of gastritis, with her gastritis she has severe anxiety she says that she feels in her gut. The ONLY thing that has helped her is Megestrol acetate…she said her anxiety is gone, she can eat again, she feels back to normal. Her doc won’t prescribe it to her anymore (something with FDA) I don’t know much about megestrol except that its a progestin. Any thoughts on what might be going on? …my thoughts are something to do with her sex hormones…low GABA? Low serotonin?
Would love your feedback.
PS, she tested negative for H. pylori
Can any of the supplements on the mild protocol cause or worsen constipation? I use to love D-limonene, and it worked wonders, but my stomach has gotten super sensitive and even that bloats me now (after stopping using it for a year or two). Could I just need time to adjust?
Yes, die off from D-limonene would increase hydrogen for a short time which would increase Archaea, increase methane production, bloating, and constipation. It could work better with time, but I would recommend talking to your doctor about trying Atrantil.