5 Habits That Can Make Gastritis Worse

Some common habits that you may have such as smoking, drinking and eating poorly can make gastritis considerably worse. You should therefore remove them from your routine.

Gastritis is an inflammation or swelling of the lining of the stomach that can become painful. In some cases, gastritis is caused by infection, drugs, stress, or an autoimmune response in the body. But, do you only know the habits that can make it worse?

Treatment for this condition focuses on treating the underlying cause and removing the irritant. In addition, gastritis is usually mild. However, this condition can cause pain in the abdomen and cause a stomach ulcer.

Some simple changes in your lifestyle and taking over-the-counter antacids will in most cases be enough to reduce the pain.

Often, gastritis goes away relatively easily. However, if it is not treated properly, it can last a long time. We take advantage of this article to remind you of certain habits that tend to worsen gastritis.

5 habits that can make gastritis worse

1. Drinking insufficient water

The first habit that can make gastritis worse is not drinking enough water. Water has a neutral pH. Drinking large amounts of water thus helps control the acidic levels of gastric juice, and therefore helps speed healing from gastritis.

• Avoid drinking too much water immediately before and after meals, however, as this could be counterproductive.

2. Being under pressure or subject

Daily stress, anxiety and built-up tension can adversely affect the health of our stomachs and cause inflammation of the stomach lining which results in us suffering from a condition called nervous gastritis. And unlike other gastritis, it is not caused by bacteria but by an accumulation of negative emotions.

Too much stress and anxiety lead to the release of stomach acids, which causes an excessive load on the mucous membrane, and therefore burns. Therefore, it is advisable to practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation, as they can greatly help reduce stress.

In a way, we all find ourselves sooner or later in times of stress. We experience it every day in different forms and to different degrees. In small doses, stress can be beneficial. On the other hand, major stress episodes are a problem because they affect our physical and mental functioning.

Additionally, stress can make gastritis worse because when a person is stressed or anxious, it increases cortisol levels, thereby altering immune system responses and undermining the digestive system. This is the reason why, when you are anxious, digestive issues are so common.

3. Smoke

Smoking is one of the main lifestyle habits that can make gastritis worse. It is a major risk factor in the development of various stomach related problems.

• Smoking cigarettes can decrease the healing ability of the stomach lining and cause stomach ulcers.

4. Drink alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption is the most common cause of gastritis. In fact, alcohol contains certain toxins that can irritate the lining of the stomach and cause inflammation when you drink too much.

• If the stomach is already inflamed, drinking alcohol will make it bleed. Which could cause more serious conditions, such as stomach ulcers.

5. Having a bad diet

Finally, you should know that certain foods and other substances should be avoided to reduce or prevent the symptoms of gastritis. Although it does not appear that diet and nutrition play an important role in the prevention or control of this disease, dietary modifications may however help control some of the discomforts associated with gastritis.

• Among the foods that you need to eliminate, we emphasize spicy foods, fatty foods, refined foods and fried foods.
• In addition, dairy products high in fat, such as cream or crème fraîche, activate the secretion of gastric juice, thereby worsening the gastric condition.
• You should also avoid any food that is toxic or irritating to the stomach,  such as garlic powder, pepper, tomato, or acidic drinks such as coffee. Even some vegetables can cause irritation and make things worse.

Finally, remember that a healthy and balanced diet, in addition to a healthy lifestyle, helps prevent diseases such as gastritis. If you are suffering from gastritis, we are convinced that the above tips will help you!