By Dr. Ashwini Vivek Mulye , Ayurveda
Gastritis is characterized by erosion, irritation and inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Gastritis causes nausea, extreme stomach pain, vomiting and indigestion. It can also make you feel tired and lethargic. Gastritis is very common and stomach inflammation should be avoided to reduce gastritis.
Causes-
The main causative factors of chronic Gastritis include excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, sour, spicy, acidic foods and white flour products. Stress, anger and exposure to heat also lead to the aggravation of this condition.
Symptoms of Gastritis-
- Indigestion, appetite loss and black stools are signs of gastritis.
- Other symptoms of gastritis can include immense pain in the abdomen, nausea and bloody vomit.
- Increase in the intensity of burping and hiccups.
Ayurvedic Remedies for Gastritis-
In Ayurveda, the condition of Chronic Gastritis is known as Urdhvaga Amla Pitta. It is primarily caused by an aggravation of Pitta Dosha (Ayurvedic humor representing Fire), which happens due to improper dietary habits and excessive consumption of alcohol or tobacco. Aggravated Pitta impairs the body’s digestive fire, leading to improper digestion of food and production of ama (toxins). Due to aggravated Pitta, this ama becomes heating in nature. This heating ama gets accumulated in the body and increases the levels of gases in the stomach, causing the condition of Gastritis.
Ayurvedic treatment of Chronic Gastritis involves the reduction of aggravated body energies and the restoration of the digestive fire using cooling herbal preparations and Pitta-pacifying diet. Ayurvedic techniques of reducing tension and stress are also proven to be effective in treating this condition.
Yes, it is important to control your diet and prevent eating food products which can affect your body and provoke stomach inflammation.
- Food products such as chocolate, spices, products high in fat content, beverages containing high amounts of caffeine and alcohol should be avoided. These foods might irritate your stomach leading to the formation of excess gas.
- Dairy food products like yogurt, butter, cream and milk should be avoided to some extent in your gastric diet.
- Meats which have excess fat like ham, bacon, salami and sausage should also be avoided as it may irritate your stomach.
- Tomatoes or tomato paste in your food should also be avoided to reduce stomach inflammation.
- Whole grains like cereal, pasta, brown rice and whole wheat bread is not only tasty but also extremely healthy. These foods should be added to your diet to control gastritis. Healthy meats rich in protein and carbohydrates like eggs, fish and poultry chicken should also be consumed to control gastritis.
- Probiotics are healthy bacteria which is beneficial for your digestive tract. Try to consume probiotics at least once a day to reduce gastritis.
- Try to avoid consuming two to three big meals in a day, instead eat meals at regular intervals of two hours.
- Exercising and performing yoga on a daily basis can also make your stomach more flexible, thus reducing inflammation and curing gastritis.