How should you take Omez when treating gastritis?

Why take Omeprazole for gastritis?

Omeprazole is a drug for the treatment of stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Omeprazole is prescribed for stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and duodenitis to neutralize the acidic environment.

Gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid, which must digest food, break it down, preparing it for the further digestion process.

The lump of food with gastric juice then enters the duodenum, where the digestion process continues with the help of enzymes contained in bile, hydrochloric acid is neutralized, and the food moves further through the intestines.

If the acidity of gastric juice increases, it begins to affect the walls of the stomach, irritating them, which leads to hyperacid gastritis. To relieve inflammation from the gastric mucosa, the acidity of gastric juice must be reduced.

Omeprazole for gastritis, entering the stomach, affects the pH of gastric juice, neutralizes the effect of hydrochloric acid and creates favorable conditions for the healing of the stomach walls. The drug affects not only the contents of the stomach, but also the glands themselves, the cells of the gastric walls, blocking the production of acid.

This explains the effectiveness of the drug and its popularity among people suffering from ulcers and gastritis. When used correctly and the optimal dosage is determined, the drug has the following effects:

• Relieves pain syndrome. Acid, irritating the walls of the stomach, causes pain, cramps, and hunger pains. Omeprazole does not have an analgesic effect, but relieves pain by eliminating the irritant.
• Normalizes stool. Increased acidity often causes various disruptions in the intestines: constipation, diarrhea. Omeprazole relieves unpleasant symptoms.
• Eliminates nausea and sour belching. Gastritis is accompanied by belching with an unpleasant sour odor and nausea due to the effects of acid. Omeprazole helps eliminate these symptoms, but for the best effect, treatment should be comprehensive and accompanied by a diet.
• Eliminates heartburn. Omeprazole, by reducing the acidity of gastric juice, prevents its release into the esophagus and relieves heartburn, which is a frequent companion of gastritis.

Read: Mezim for bloating - an ambulance for the intestines

Is it possible to cure atrophic gastritis?

Despite the fact that atrophic gastritis can provoke stomach cancer, and the disease can be completely cured only at the initial stage, treatment with modern medicine allows you to minimize unpleasant symptoms and stop the development of the disease, after which it will take some time for the body to recover.

Do not forget that only a doctor can tell you the answer to the question of how to treat atrophic gastritis. Do not take any medications on your own - this can only make the situation worse.

The disease most often develops in middle-aged men and the elderly. In women, atrophic gastritis is not diagnosed very often.

Unfortunately, symptoms and pain are practically absent at the initial stage, so few people suspect the presence of a stomach disease until it becomes impossible to cure it.

People suffering from this disease often complain of a feeling of heaviness in the stomach that accompanies every meal, regardless of its quantity.

The most common complaints are about the following symptoms:

• flatulence;
• constant rumbling in the stomach;
• belching;
• nausea;
• smell from the mouth;
• constipation

The following changes in the body are also often recorded, which, however, can be regarded as signs, and not as mandatory symptoms of gastritis:

• hypovitaminosis (severe decrease in the amount of vitamin B12), which manifests itself in the form of headaches, sticking out of the tongue, anemia and yellowing of the skin;
• hormonal disbalance;
• reduction in body weight.

Causes and diagnosis of the disease

Today, doctors identify 2 main reasons for the appearance and development of the disease:

1. Immune causes, when the body, due to an immune failure, regards mucosal cells as foreign and begins to replace them with tissue;
2. Bacterial causes, when organs are infected by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to say exactly what causes lead to this stomach disease, so treatment is always aimed at these 2 groups.

Also, do not forget about the causes of the disease, which consist in frequent cauterization of the stomach with alcoholic beverages.

The main signs of the disease are obtained through laboratory testing, in particular after the use of gastroscopy and endoscopy.

Diagnosis of atrophic gastritis often involves the use of chromogastroscopy, a method consisting of the process of staining the walls of the stomach and their subsequent examination, as well as measuring the pH level of the stomach, when the level of increased or decreased acidity is determined.

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The most gentle and convenient method of checking for the presence of gastritis of the stomach is a gastropanel - a blood test for the presence of antibodies, certain proteins and hormones.

Together with analysis of the stomach walls, this method will provide the most complete and reliable information about the presence of the disease.

Types of atrophic gastritis

Antral atrophic gastritis affects the antrum of the stomach. The development of the disease, for which there is no timely treatment, leads to deformation and narrowing of the esophagus.

Signs of this type of stomach disease include a high level of gastric juice secretion, dyspeptic digestive disorders, and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract due to achlorhydria. To confirm the diagnosis, gastrofibroscopy is used.

Treatment of antral gastritis of the stomach most often takes place with the use of 2 antibiotics and antisecretory drugs, and sometimes enveloping agents are added.

After getting rid of the pathogenic microflora, the body is restored, also with the use of medications.

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Diffuse atrophic gastritis can be considered an intermediate stage between superficial and dystrophic changes in the walls of the stomach.

This type of gastritis is characterized by the absence of significant dystrophic damage.

Symptoms of a disease such as diffuse atrophic gastritis:

• deepened pits on the mucous membrane;
• disruption of the structure of gland cells;
• formations on the walls of the mucous membrane.

Superficial type – the initial stage of a chronic disease with minimal damage to the mucosa. Treatment at this stage will help completely get rid of the disease.

Superficial gastritis is diagnosed through endoscopy, which is used to determine normal wall thickness, slight hypersecretion of stomach cells and the level of degeneration of the epithelial layer. The superficial appearance of the disease has no clinical symptoms.

Atrophic hyperplastic gastritis is considered one of the most dangerous types of the disease; it is classified as a precancerous condition.

Only after the appearance of polyps does the patient feel the following symptoms:

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• flatulence;
• pain in the solar plexus area;
• abdominal pain that may radiate to the lower back;
• a sharp increase in body temperature. If you are diagnosed with “atrophic hyperplastic gastritis” and your temperature suddenly rises, then urgently call an ambulance, as this may be evidence of internal bleeding;
• stool instability.

The main treatment consists of antibiotic therapy. For people with high stomach acidity, the doctor also prescribes antacid medications.

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The acute type of the disease (also called active gastritis) is an exacerbation of inflammation of the stomach walls.

Signs of the disease:

• destruction of the covering layer of the epithelium;
• swelling of the gastric walls;
• vascular congestion;
• entry of leukocytes outside the blood vessels.

Symptoms of acute gastritis:

• nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• severe pain in the stomach;
• elevated temperature;
• in some cases - fainting.

When the gastric mucosa is exposed to serious pathogens, coma and death are possible.

The chronic type of gastritis (also called inactive) is characterized by prolonged and profound atrophy of gastrointestinal tract cells. The disease develops in people with low acidity.

The pathogenesis often involves the organs of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine glands. Clinical symptoms are similar to those of gastritis with low acidity.

The mixed type is a combination of several types of gastritis. The main factor in the appearance is considered to be infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

Mixed gastritis has the following symptoms:

• belching;
• decreased appetite;
• bloating;
• unpleasant taste in the mouth;
• weakness and dizziness.

Treatment begins after determining the types of gastritis that are included in the mixed one.

Basic nutritional recommendations

Treatment of gastritis will not be effective without a special diet. Reviews of its use claim that it not only reduces some symptoms, but also improves the overall immune system in women and men.

If the patient has atrophic gastritis with high acidity, then the diet should contain the following vegetables: cauliflower, potatoes, carrots.

For gastritis with high acidity, the following are prohibited:

• any fermented, pickled, salted, canned products;
• mushrooms in any form;
• cucumbers;
• onion;
• radish;
• Highly acidic greens: spinach and sorrel.

The consumption of crushed zucchini, pumpkin, non-acidic tomatoes, and green peas is allowed only in small quantities.

Soups are useful for any type of gastritis: both with high and low acidity (especially beneficial for low acidity).

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Puree soups made from the “right” products listed above have a very good effect. It is better to cook soup with vegetable broth or milk.

Milk soups with cereals (rice, buckwheat, etc.) or pasta are also welcome. Consumption of cabbage soup, borscht, okroshka, meat, fish or mushroom broth is prohibited for gastritis with low or high acidity.

If you have gastritis with low acidity, it is recommended to eat vegetables and some fruits, boiled cereals, fermented milk products, and not too fatty soups with meat or fish broth.

You can drink juices, coffee and tea, but any alcoholic beverages, smoked and pickled foods, and fast food are strictly prohibited.

It is better to steam the dishes and eat them in small portions. Food should be taken warm; too cold or hot food can cause a decrease in the production of stomach acid.

Atrophic gastritis is an unpleasant disease, which can only be dealt with by following all the doctor’s recommendations, because proper nutrition for atrophic gastritis is the key to success.

Diets for atrophic gastritis

A special diet for atrophic gastritis is an important part of treatment. Depending on the tasks, there are 4 types of food.

For gastritis, diet No. 2 is most often prescribed, which involves nutrition with stimulation of the secretory glands. All dishes should be lightly fried, baked, stewed or boiled.

This diet for atrophic gastritis allows the consumption of meat and fish dishes, dairy products, omelettes, and many types of vegetables.

Reviews about the diet indicate that treatment using it is quite effective.

Diet No. 1 is prescribed for acute pain symptoms in the initial days of the disease and is characterized by the least load on the digestive system.

Reviews prove that when carefully followed, the diet relieves pain after the first days. The purpose of nutrition is to reduce the excitability of the mucous membrane.

This diet is not suitable for people with low acidity, because it is aimed at limiting foods that stimulate mucosal receptors. You can mainly consume pureed soups and dairy products.

Diet for atrophic gastritis No. 3 is used after the acute symptoms of inflammation have subsided. Reviews claim that it does an excellent job of restoring the mucous membrane.

The diet can be used by people with low and high acidity.

Foods rich in fiber, as well as too hot or cold foods, are prohibited. You can eat dairy products, soups, and some vegetables.

In case of acute enteric syndrome with intolerance to milk or other products, diet No. 4 is prescribed.

With this diet, you can normalize the functioning of the stomach by relieving inflammation in the mucous membrane.

Treatment with Diet No. 4 is often prescribed for people with low acidity. You should eat in fractional portions. Reviews confirm the effectiveness of the diet.

Do not forget that the necessary diet should only be prescribed by a doctor, and self-medication can only worsen the stomach disease.

Dosage and rules for taking Omeprazole for gastritis

Omeprazole is taken once a day.

The dosage and duration of treatment with Omeprazole should be determined by the doctor depending on the type of disease (the drug is prescribed only for gastritis with high acidity), the severity of the patient’s condition, his age and characteristics of the body.

The drug is available in the form of tablets, capsules or powder for dissolution. One capsule already contains the optimal daily dose (20 mg of the drug), so it is enough to take a tablet or capsule before your first meal. There are certain rules for taking Omeprazole that will allow you to take it with maximum benefit:

1. Tablets and capsules should be swallowed whole, not crushed, chewed or dissolved. The course of treatment for acute gastritis lasts no more than 2 weeks. It is not recommended to take the drug continuously without a doctor's prescription. The course of treatment can only be extended by a doctor if necessary.
2. Omeprazole can be combined with other drugs. If the cause of gastritis is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, antibiotics are prescribed simultaneously with Omeprazole. The break between doses of drugs should be at least an hour. You cannot take all the pills at once, in one handful, they will not be effective enough.
3. It is enough to take omeprazole once a day, this dosage will be effective throughout the day (24 hours), increasing the dose on your own is not recommended. Your doctor may increase the dosage to 2 or 3 capsules per day only if indicated.
4. When the drug is taken correctly, the maximum concentration of the drug in the cells is achieved 4-5 days after the start of administration. The drug continues to act after discontinuation for a week.

Omeprazole should not be taken uncontrolled, without a diagnosis and prescription from a doctor, as well as for prevention.

The drug has side effects. You should also not abruptly interrupt the course of treatment with Omeprazole or take it occasionally. This will significantly reduce its effectiveness and lead to relapse of the disease.

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Features of application

Based on the instructions, the main indications for the use of omeprazole are pathologies of the gastric tract with altered acidity:

• stomach or duodenal ulcer;
• reflux disease;
• indigestion after taking NSAIDs;
• gastritis with high acidity.

In addition to the hyperacid form of gastritis, there are types of the disease in which low acidity is observed . This pathology is characterized by a lack of hydrochloric acid production. Because of this, food stagnates in the gastrointestinal tract and ferments. If you have low acidity, you should not drink Omeprazole, as its effect will only worsen the condition. After all, the main effect of the drug is to reduce the level of hydrochloric acid, at a time when it is already not enough to ensure the normal digestion process.

Contraindications and side effects

Omeprazole should not be taken by pregnant women.

Side effects are rare when taking Omeprazole. In some cases, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased thirst, headache, and fatigue occur.

An allergic reaction can manifest itself in the form of a rash, itching, hives, and swelling. If such side effects are observed, the drug will have to be stopped.

There are practically no side effects if the dosage and doctor’s recommendations are followed. If unpleasant symptoms appear, you must stop taking the drug or reduce the dosage; the side effects will quickly disappear (within two weeks without additional treatment). Omeprazole, like any drug, has its contraindications.

• Pregnancy and lactation. For pregnant women with chronic gastritis, taking Omeprazole is a relative contraindication. In rare cases, under the supervision of a doctor, it is allowed to take the drug, but more often only a gentle diet and safer drugs are prescribed, for example, Almagagel.
• Individual intolerance. If individual intolerance to Omeprozole is observed, it is replaced with an analogue drug.
• Children's age up to 12 years. Children's age is considered a contraindication, but in rare cases, with severe esophagitis and peptic ulcer in a child, Omeprazole is prescribed to children over one year of age. The dosage is determined taking into account the child’s weight: 10-20 mg 1-2 times a day.
• Severe liver and kidney diseases. The drug is destroyed in the liver and excreted by the kidneys in the urine. With serious pathologies of these organs, the removal of Omeprazole from the body becomes difficult, which leads to various side effects and complications. If necessary, patients with renal and liver failure are prescribed Omerazole in a reduced dosage.
• Under no circumstances should you take the drug without examination and diagnosis by a doctor. Drinking Omeprazole for any abdominal pain is dangerous, since even when relief occurs, the clinical picture is blurred. As a result, you may miss a serious illness, such as a stomach ulcer or malignant tumor.

Read: Disturbance of microflora and remedies for the intestines after antibiotics

When should it not be used?

This drug is contraindicated for young children.
Before using Omez, the instructions for use should be studied. The medicine should not be taken in the following cases:

• hypoacid gastritis;
• severe chronic liver and kidney diseases;
• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
• early childhood;
• lactation period and pregnancy.

What can replace Omeprazole in the treatment of gastritis?

Orthanol - can be a replacement for the drug Omeprazole.

In case of individual intolerance to the drug, it can be replaced with an analogue recommended by the doctor. Omeprazole analogues also reduce the acidity of gastric juice and help relieve inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

• Omez. A drug based on omeprazole, often prescribed for inflammatory diseases of the stomach and duodenum. This is an Indian-made drug; it is available not only in tablets, but also in injections. Side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, arrhythmia, allergic reaction, and drowsiness.
• Orthanol. This drug also contains omeprazole and has a relatively low price, but differs in that the maximum concentration of the drug is reached over a longer period of time.
• Rabelok. The drug is based on rabeprazole, available in the form of tablets and solution for injection. Not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or individual intolerance to the drug.
• Ontime. The drug contains rabeprazole, but of all analogues it has the lowest ability to penetrate tissue (bioavailability). Recommended for hyperacid gastritis, gastric ulcers and erosion, GERD, as well as in combination with other drugs for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. The drug is not used in pediatric practice and is extremely rarely prescribed to children.
• Hasek. A drug based on omeprazole. The maximum effect is observed on the fourth day after starting treatment. Available in capsule form for oral administration. The drug Gasec-10 is taken 1-2 capsules per day. The drug is not recommended for people with fructose intolerance.

All of the drugs listed contain either omeprazole or rabeprazole. In case of severe side effects while taking omeprazole, they are replaced with more gentle drugs that envelop and protect the walls of the stomach: Reni, Gastal, Almagel, Maalox.

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