Table of Contents
Introduction: Understanding Inflammation of the Stomach
Inflammation of the stomach, also called gastritis, is the most common gastrointestinal disease characterised by swelling or irritation of your gastric mucosa. According to Dr. Mikel H-G Hoff (Founder of ANF Therapy®️), this problem affects 70 per cent of the population, and most of the time, patients do not realise that they have stomach inflammation.
The small intestine is the major portion of your gut, taking everything you eat and breaking the carbohydrates and lipids to produce energy for your body. The inflammation can not only be limited to your stomach, but it can also occur in small and large intestines and other organs of your body.
Dr Mikel H-G Hoff states that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is also known as the second brain of the stomach. This means that it regulates the production of acid and cortisol in the stomach and protects the lining of the stomach.
Gastritis can occur due to prolonged use of certain antibiotics that disrupt the normal intestinal flora of your body. There are multiple treatment options to get rid of stomach inflammation. ANF Therapy®️ emerged as a potential game changer in treating gastritis when other treatment options fail.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Stomach:
The stomach is a vital organ of your body that is involved in the digestion of the food particles that you eat daily. It is located on the left side of your abdomen and comprises four layers.
1-Mucosa:
It is the innermost layer of your stomach that produces acids and enzymes necessary for digestion. Inflammation of mucosa results from increased acid production and irritation in the mucosal lining of your stomach.
2-Submucosa:
The mucosa is surrounded by a thick layer of connective tissue called submucous. It contains nerve lymphatic and blood vessels and supports your stomach’s mucosal lining.
3-Muscularis:
The muscular layer of your stomach comprises smooth muscles involved in churning and mixing food particles with digestive juices (enzymes and acids) and provides peristaltic activity to your alimentary canal.
4-Serosa:
The serosa is the outermost layer and visible layer of your stomach that provides a protective layer to your stomach.
Role of the Stomach in Digestion:
The primary function of the stomach is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food. It releases hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, specifically pepsin, that aid in the breakdown of proteins. This acidic environment facilitates digestion and acts as a barrier against pathogens. Any disturbance in the environment of the stomach, like inflammation, can lead to complications.
Factors Protecting Against Self-digestion and Inflammation:
Do you wonder how your stomach protects itself from digestion and inflammation? Let’s discuss the factors that are protecting your stomach. These factors are.
Mucus production:
A thick mucus is secreted by the innermost layer of your stomach (mucosa). This mucus forms a thick protective layer against the walls of your stomach and protects it from the corrosive effect of the acid.
Tight junctions:
Your stomach has tight epithelial junctions that prevent the penetration of acid and digestive enzymes into underlying layers. This is how the stomach protects itself from acidic secretions.
Understanding the basic physiology and pathophysiology of the gut:
Production of acid and mucus in the human body is tightly regulated. Disturbance in mucus production or acid production can result in inflammation. We have 52 million microbiota in our gut. Whenever we eat something, the microbiota in our intestines collaborate with the thyroid, oesophagus, stomach, liver, and intestine. This food is then processed for the production of energy that is decided by your body. Our body produces essential amino acids and carnosine that are superessential For our gut health. Carnosine is an antioxidant that helps to combat free radicals.
Stomach acid and bile acid play an important role in digestion. These acids, if not produced in the desired amounts, cause massive problems. The high amount of acid causes the breakdown of everything (good and bad) and also affects your lymphatic system, resulting in inflammation.
Our way of living affects our gut system; we eat food rich in carbohydrates without drinking water, which destroys our biochemical system and causes inflammation. Dr. Mikel H-G Hoff states that the lymphatic system has a major role in your stomach that provides protection against harmful bacteria by producing antibodies.
Eating sugar without drinking water can cause invisible inflammation in our stomachs and intestines (Crohn’s disease).
What causes gastric inflammation?
There are multiple causes of inflammation of your stomach. These are:
Bacterial infections:
It is the most common cause of stomach inflammation. The human body contains about 52 million microbes inside the gastrointestinal tract. These microbes make your gut healthy, combat invading organisms, and help digest food particles. Disturbance in the gut environment causes the colonisation of certain bacteria that induces an inflammatory response.
Helicobacter pylori is the most common bacteria that targets your stomach mucosa, colonises itself, and induces inflammation and ulcer formation.
Medications:
Some medicines are notorious for causing stomach inflammation. These medicines include Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications decrease the mucus production in your stomach, making it more susceptible to acid and digestive enzymes.
Alcohol and irritants:
Alcohol makes the mucosal layer of your stomach hyperactive and produces more acid than usual. This acid destroys your gastrointestinal mucosa and induces inflammation.
Disruption of protective barrier:
Disruption of the protective barrier of your stomach can occur due to bacterial infection, medications, stress, autoimmune diseases, and alcohol abuse. These factors expose the mucosal cells to stomach acid and digestive juices.
Cellular damage and inflammation:
When the protective barrier of your stomach lining is compromised, it causes damage to your epithelial cells and induces an inflammatory response. This inflammation can be acute or chronic, depending on the duration of the disease.
Compensatory mechanism:
When there is more acid Production in your stomach, a compensatory mechanism (feedback inhibition) comes into play that decreases the production of acid to avoid excessive damage to your mucosa. Due to this, the food particles remain undigested and create a hospitable environment for the bacteria to colonise.
Clinical Presentation of Gastric Inflammation:
The clinical presentation of gastric inflammation depends upon the onset, duration, and severity of the disease.
Acute Gastric Inflammation:
Acute Gastric Inflammation is rapid in onset, often due to irritants, alcohol, or certain medications (NSAIDs). Acute Gastric Inflammation is characterised by the following clinical presentation:
- Pain in the stomach that is suddenly in onset and severe in nature
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Possible bleeding due to inflammation
Chronic gastric inflammation:
It is gradual in onset and results from persistent factors like Helicobacter pylori infection. Sometimes, it remains asymptomatic for long periods of time. However, the clinical presentation of chronic Gastritis is:
- Dull pain
- Bloating
- Early satiety
- Decrease In appetite
Symptoms:
There are a variety of symptoms of gastric inflammation depending on the clinical presentation of the disease. These symptoms include:
Abdominal Pain:
Typically localised to the upper abdomen, it can range from a burning sensation to sharp, stabbing pain.
Digestive Disturbances:
Symptoms of digestive disturbance include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and a sense of fullness after eating.
Bloating:
Inflammation produces bloating and unexplained fatigue Because our body Cannot process The food we eat. This is the sign of invisible inflammation In our stomach and intestine.
Altered Bowel Habits:
Both diarrhoea and constipation can result, reflecting the broader impact on the gastrointestinal system.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding:
In severe cases, the inflammation may lead to erosions and ulcers, causing hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (black, tarry stools).
Complications of gastric inflammation:
Gastric inflammation remains undiagnosed and asymptomatic for a longer period of time and can cause complications. These complications include:
- Prolonged inflammation can transform acute gastritis and chronic Gastritis, creating complications like peptic ulcers or gastric cancer.
- Increased Morbidity:
- Delayed treatment means prolonged symptoms, impacting the quality of life. It might manifest as persistent pain, nutritional deficiencies, or general malaise.
- When we have inflammation in our intestines or stomach, the microbiota is affected, causing severe immune disorders, insulin resistance, diabetes, kidney failure, and liver failure because we can not get the desired amount of nutrition, and our lymphatic system is actually affected and can not protect the intestine and function properly.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastritis Using ANF Therapy®️
Clinical Evaluation of Gastritis:
First, a certified ANF Practitioner performs a thorough examination to assess the degree of inflammation.
History:
History taking remains the mainstay of diagnosis. ANF Therapist may ask you the following questions related to gastritis:
- The onset and duration of the disease
- Nature of symptoms
- Smoking history
- Alcohol consumption
- Dietary habits
- Medication
- Family history
- Your ANF Practitioner will also inquire about the history of emotional and physical stress that is directly related to inflammation of the stomach or gastritis.
