Gastritis

 

Gastritis is of several types depending upon the nature of the inflammation, the condition of the mucous membrane and glands. Hydrochloric acid and some other digestive enzymes are secreted by the glands of the stomach. Inflammation of the stomach thus results in the impairment of these secretions leading to indigestion. In ayurveda, this condition is known as urdhvaga amlapitta.

 

Symptoms

  1. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness.

  2. There is pain and discomfort in the region of the stomach

  3. Coated tongue, foul breath, bad taste in the mouth, increased flow of saliva, scanty urination, a general feeling of uneasiness and mental depression.

  4. In more chronic cases the patients’ complaints of heartburn and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, especially after meals.

 

Root Causes

  1. Dietetic indiscretion

  2. Habitual overeating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods

  3. Excessive intake of strong tea, coffee or alcoholic drinks.

  4. Habitual use of large quantities of condiments and sauses.

  5. Other causes include worry, anxiety, grief, and prolonged tension, use of certain drugs, strong acids and caustic substances.

 

Diet :

The patient should undertake a fast for two or three days or more, depending on the severity of the condition. He should be given only warm water to drink during this period. This will give rest to the stomach and allow the toxic condition causing the inflammation to subside. After the acute symptoms subside the patients should adopt an all fruit diet for the next three days and take juicy fruits like apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches and melons. He may thereafter gradually embark upon a balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruit.

The patient should avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, spices and condiments, meat, red pepper, sour foods, pickles, strong tea and coffee. He should also avoid sweets, pastries, rich cakes and aerated waters. Curds and cottage cheese should be used freely.

 

The patient should not expose himself to hard mental or physical work. He should avoid anxiety, worry and anger. He should be given complete rest. A walk in the early morning for about a mile is very useful. Patient should try to avoid hot drinks and foods. It's better not to take spicy and oily foods.