The health issue was described as ‘chronic inflammation of the stomach’ – here’s what you should know
Dr Kasim Ahmed has explored a health condition that resembles ‘sunburn in your stomach’ and provided guidance on managing it. The NHS doctor and former contestant on The Traitors offered his expert insight during a BBC Morning Live segment earlier this week.
“Gastritis is basically inflammation of the stomach,” the health professional said. “It’s slightly different to the more commonly used term of gastroenteritis. I’m sure people have heard about lots of stomach bugs that are going around and causing gastroenteritis, which is where you get the diarrhoea and the vomiting and all that stuff. Gastritis itself is actually chronic inflammation of the stomach.”
He continued: “So, it’s essentially like having sunburn, If you think about sunburn where your skin’s exposed to the sun and then as a result of it, it breaks down and burns. It’s essentially exactly the same thing, but inside your stomach.
“So, not a nice condition at all. It can be really, really [irritating]. And the stomach’s something that we are constantly irritating because it’s constantly being used for food.”
Whilst occasional bloating or indigestion following a large meal is common, Dr Ahmed stressed the importance of consulting your GP if these symptoms become regular occurrences. Stomach discomfort, feelings of sickness and excessive belching or wind could indicate irritation to the stomach lining.
Dr Ahmed went on to explain that certain foods can significantly contribute to this irritation, too. Regrettably, the culprits include spicy meals, carbonated beverages, high-fat fried food, acidic juices and alcoholic drinks.
Nevertheless, he continued: “But beyond the food, there is something that we worry about, which is a bacterial infection called helicobacter pylori, which is not something that we need to say every 10 seconds.
“But it’s a chronic infection that can affect people, it’s actually surprisingly common, often doesn’t cause any symptoms but as that mucus of the lining of the stomach breaks down, it can cause really bad gastritis.”
When gastritis stems from a bacterial infection, doctors may prescribe antibiotics or alternative treatments to address the inflammation. Additionally, Dr Ahmed suggested that consuming foods such as bananas, yoghurt, oats and high-fibre options could prove helpful whilst steering clear of other problematic meals.
That said, it’s crucial to recognise that everyone is ‘slightly individual’, meaning what benefits one person may not necessarily work for another. Further NHS guidance on managing gastritis includes:
- Reduce the amount of drinks you have that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee, cola and energy drinks
- Lie on an extra pillow in bed so your head and shoulders are higher, to help stop stomach acid rising up your throat while you sleep
- Lose weight if you’re overweight
- Talk to your doctor if you regularly take anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as ibuprofen) or aspirin
The NHS website also adds: “If it’s not treated, gastritis may get worse and cause a stomach ulcer. If gastritis is not getting better, or it’s causing severe symptoms, a GP might refer you to a specialist stomach doctor (gastroenterologist). They might do a test to look inside your stomach, called a gastroscopy.”
For more information, head to the NHS website.
