Management of Gastritis

Management of Gastritis

Gastritis is characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Gastritis management depends on the presenting signs and symptoms, disease severity, and causative agent. Drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, toxic levels of colchicine, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and iron cause gastritis (Azer & Akhondi, 2022). In patients diagnosed with gastritis taking causative drugs, the treatment plan includes withdrawal or dose modification of these drugs. Bleeding in gastritis is accompanied by melena, low haemoglobin levels, and hematemesis. Patients diagnosed with gastritis with suspected internal bleeding are recommended for endoscopy to assess for bleeding ulcers. Gastrointestinal bleeding is managed by administering bolus intravenous proton pump inhibitors such as IV omeprazole and a continuous infusion for seventy-two hours to stabilize bleeding.

Patients diagnosed with gastritis usually experience nausea and vomiting (Azer & Akhondi, 2022). Patients lose large amounts of fluid and electrolytes through vomiting. Fluid and electrolyte replacement is crucial to prevent dehydration and ensure electrolyte balance. Patients experiencing severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance are managed through intravenous fluids. Further, patients experiencing mild dehydration are managed through oral rehydration solutions. Antiemetics such as promethazine are administered to prevent vomiting. In patients where nausea and vomiting alter their appetite, antiemetics are administered one hour before meals. Patients with gastritis usually experience heartburn and burning epigastric distress (Azer & Akhondi, 2022). Heartburn is managed by administering antacids such as aluminium and magnesium hydroxide to increase the pH of the stomach and neutralize gastric acidity.

Gastritis presents with abdominal pain; therefore, adequate pain management is crucial. Painkillers such as aspirin that worsen ulceration in gastritis should not be administered. Pain medications are administered one hour before meals if pain affects the patient’s appetite. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that commonly causes gastritis (Azer & Akhondi, 2022). In patients with gastritis, an H. pylori test is recommended. A positive test for H. pylori is managed through H. pylori eradication. Essentially, H. pylori is eradicated using a dual, triple, or quadruple therapy that includes a combination of proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole, bismuth salicylate, antisecretory agents, and antibiotics such as clarithromycin and amoxicillin. The patient is scheduled for another H. pylori test four weeks after completing the H. pylori eradication therapy (Parikh &7 Ahlawat, 2022). Surgery is recommended in patients diagnosed with acute necrotizing gastritis and phlegmonous gastritis.

Non-pharmacological interventions are used to manage gastritis. Patients are advised on dietary and lifestyle adjustments. In addition, the patient is advised against taking foods that lead to gastric upset. The patient should eat smaller portions but more frequently throughout the day to prevent irritating gastric secretions. The patient’s meal plan should factor in food preference. Potent alcoholic beverages such as vodka cause gastritis; therefore, patients are advised to avoid alcohol. Smokers are highly likely to experience gastritis; therefore, patients are educated on the advantages of smoking cessation. Stress is a cause of gastritis; therefore, patients are encouraged to avoid stressful situations (Azer & Akhondi, 2022). In case of crucial psychological issues, the patient is recommended for counselling and therapy. The patient is also educated on the signs and symptoms of gastritis and the expected changes during and after treatment. In case of recurring signs and symptoms, the patient is encouraged to report to the hospital. In addition, the patient is assessed during reviews to ensure adherence to medication and elimination of risk factors such as smoking.

References

Azer, S. A., & Akhondi, H. (2022). Gastritis. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544250/.

Parikh, N. S., & Ahlawat, R. (2022). Helicobacter Pylori. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534233/.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Management of Gastritis

600 words on the Management of Gastritis, nursing interventions, etc