Gastritis is something that is very common among Latinos because we love spicy, acidic, and fried foods. Many times some of our favorite foods can give us indigestion problems, which leads to gastritis. Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining, causing it to get swollen and to hurt. There are some home remedies that can help get rid of gastritis, but if you suspect that you have it, it’s best to talk to your doctor. If you leave gastritis unattended, it can lead to serious problems.
The food you eat can give you digestion problems, especially spicy and fried foods. You stomach produces acid to help with the digestion of food and to kill germs or bacteria. This acid is corrosive, and some cells on the inside lining of the stomach produce a natural mucous barrier, which protects the lining and part of the small intestine. Gastritis develops when there is too much going on so the balance gets thrown off, allowing the acid to damage the lining of the stomach. It may also be caused by infections or bacteria that live in the mucous lining of the stomach, such as helicobacter pylori (H.pylori), or bile reflux, which is a back flow of bile into the stomach from the bile tract that connects the liver and gallbladder.
Symptoms
- Pain in your upper abdomen and below the breastbone
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Retching
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling full after a meal
- Dark stools
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
Home Remedies
Many times the symptoms can go away on their own or by taking an antacid. One of the easiest things to do is to avoid foods that cause gastritis, such as coffee, carbonated beverages, alcohol, processed meats, and anything spicy and fried.
Ginger
Ginger tea with honey: Ginger can effectively treat gastritis because it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can help reduce inflammation and treat the infection by helping alleviate stomach pain, gas, indigestion, nausea, and bloating.
Yogurt
Probiotics found in yogurt protect your stomach lining from H.pylori bacteria, which causes gastritis. It also boosts your immune system to fight off infection more quickly. Eat yogurt at least once a day, but when you have gastritis pain, you may want to eat 2 or 3 cups of plain yogurt until you feel better.
Chamomile
This is the go-to-tea in many Mexican households. It’s rich in essential oils that are great for your digestive system. It can help soothe the intestinal walls, provide relief from sudden pain, and eliminate gas. It also reduces inflammation and reduces the risk of stomach ulcers. Be careful to not boil the chamomile flowers because its active compounds will be destroyed.
Peppermint
Peppermint is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antispasdomic. It can help reduce inflammation of the stomach lining, plus get rid of nausea, indigestion and heartburn. Simply add peppermint leaves to your food, make tea, or simply chew on them.
Strawberries
Strawberries are not only delicious and sweet, but they are packed with antioxidants and have a high content of phenolic compounds. They help prevent inflammation in the stomach lining. You can make tea with a couple of dried strawberry leaves or simply eat a couple of strawberries daily to prevent gastritis.