GASTRITIS

What is Gastritis?
Gastritis means the lining of your stomach is swollen or irritated. This lining helps protect your stomach from acid. When it gets hurt or inflamed, it can cause pain and other problems.

Causes of Gastritis:

• Taking certain medicines, like aspirin or ibuprofen, for too long
  
  

• Drinking too much alcohol
  
  

• Infection from a bacteria called H. pylori
  
  

• Stress
  
  

• Smoking
  
  

• Eating spicy or irritating foods
  
  

• Autoimmune conditions
  
  

• After surgery or serious injury
  
  

Symptoms of Gastritis:

• Stomach pain or burning
  
  

• Nausea (feeling like you need to throw up)
  
  

• Vomiting
  
  

• Feeling full quickly when eating
  
  

• Loss of appetite
  
  

• Burping or bloating
  
  

• Black or tarry stools (this can mean bleeding in the stomach – call 911!)
  
  

Treatment:

• Your doctor may give you medicine to lower stomach acid
  
  

• You may get antibiotics if you have H. pylori
  
  

• Stop taking medicines that may cause it, if your doctor says it’s okay
  
  

• Rest and eat gentle foods
  
  

• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and spicy foods
  
  

Diet Tips for People with Gastritis:

• Eat small meals throughout the day
  
  

• Avoid spicy, fried, or acidic foods
  
  

• Limit coffee and soda
  
  

• Don’t eat too fast
  
  

• Avoid lying down right after eating
  
  

• Drink water, not alcohol
  
  

Special Precautions and Considerations:

• Take medicines exactly how your doctor says
  
  

• Avoid NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) unless your doctor says it’s okay
  
  

• Watch for signs of bleeding (black stools, vomiting blood)
  
  

• Reduce stress – it can make symptoms worse
  
  

• Stop smoking if you smoke
  
  

When to Contact Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor:

• If your symptoms don’t improve after a few days
  
  

• If your stomach pain gets worse
  
  

• If you feel weak, dizzy, or lose weight
  
  

• If you have questions about your medicines or diet
  
  

Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room If You:

• Vomit blood or something that looks like coffee grounds
  
  

• Have black or tarry stools
  
  

• Have chest pain or trouble breathing
  
  

• Pass out or feel like you might faint
  
  

© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911

Patient Homework / Assessment

Instructions: Read each statement. Circle TRUE if it is correct or FALSE if it is incorrect. Correct all FALSE answers.

1. True or False – Gastritis means your stomach lining is swollen or irritated.
   
   

2. True or False – Drinking lots of water can cause gastritis.
   
   

3. True or False – Taking too many pain medicines like ibuprofen can lead to gastritis.
   
   

4. True or False – A bacteria called H. pylori can cause gastritis.
   
   

5. True or False – Smoking and stress do not affect gastritis.
   
   

6. True or False – Symptoms of gastritis include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
   
   

7. True or False – Gastritis always causes black stools.
   
   

8. True or False – Black or tarry stools can be a sign of bleeding in the stomach.
   
   

9. True or False – Eating spicy or fried foods may make gastritis worse.
   
   

10. True or False – You should eat large meals to help your stomach heal.
    
    

11. True or False – Small meals throughout the day are better for people with gastritis.
    
    

12. True or False – You should lie down right after eating to rest your stomach.
    
    

13. True or False – Coffee and soda can bother your stomach if you have gastritis.
    
    

14. True or False – Medicine can help lower the acid in your stomach.
    
    

15. True or False – You should take all your medicine just the way the doctor tells you.
    
    

16. True or False – Vomiting blood is a normal sign of gastritis and not serious.
    
    

17. True or False – If you vomit something that looks like coffee grounds, you should call 911.
    
    

18. True or False – You should stop smoking to help heal your stomach.
    
    

19. True or False – You should call your nurse or doctor if your symptoms get worse or don’t go away.
    
    

20. True or False – You don’t need to worry about gastritis if it doesn’t hurt.
    
    

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:
“Have you noticed stomach pain, nausea, bloating, or vomiting that could mean your stomach lining is irritated?”

Activity Impact / Safety:
“Do your stomach symptoms make it harder for you to eat, rest, or do daily activities safely?”

Treatment Adherence:
“Are you taking your medicines, such as antacids or acid reducers, the way your doctor told you?”

Preventive Measures:
“Are you avoiding alcohol, smoking, spicy foods, and pain medicines like ibuprofen that can make gastritis worse?”

© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911