NATURE CURE Gastritis

                                                                                                            NATURE CURE       

Gastritis 

Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It is a troublesome condition which may

lead to many complications including ulcers if not treated in time. Constipation aggravates the

condition more than any other disorder.

The inflammatory lesions may be either acute erosive gastritis or chronic atrophic gastritis. The

latter type has been found to be present in half the patients suffering from severe iron deficiency

anemia.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of gastritis are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness.

There is also pain and a feeling of discomfort in the region of the stomach. In more chronic

cases, there is a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, especially after meals. The patient

complains of heartburn. Prolonged illness often results in the loss of weight, anemia and

occasional hemorrhage from the stomach. There may be an outpouring of mucus and a

reduction in the secretion of hydrochloric acid during acute attacks and also in most cases of

chronic gastritis.

Causes

The most frequent cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual overeating, eating

of badly combined or improperly cooked foods, excessive intake of strong tea, coffee or

alcoholic drinks, habitual use of large quantities of condiments, sauces, etc. It may sometimes

follow certain diseases such as measles, diptheria, influenza, virus pneumonia, etc. Most often it

also results from worry, anxiety, grief and prolonged tension. Use of certain drugs, strong acids

and caustic substances may also give rise to gastritis.

Treatment

The patient should undertake a fast in both acute and chronic cases of gastritis. In acute cases,

the patient will usually recover after a short fast of two or three days. In chronic condition, the

fast may have to be continued for a longer period of seven days or so. In the alternative, short

fasts may be repeated at an interval of one or two months, depending on the progress being

made.

The fast may be conducted on fruit juices. By fasting, the intake of irritants is at once effectively

stopped, the stomach is rested and the toxic condition, causing the inflammation, is allowed to

subside. Elimination is increased by fasting and the excess of toxic matter accumulated in the

system is thrown out.

After the acute symptoms subside, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for further three days.

Juicy fruits such as apple, pear, grapes, grapefruit, orange, pineapple, peach and melon may be

taken during this period at five-hourly intervals. The patient can thereafter gradually embark

upon a well-balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely :      (i) seeds, nuts and grains  (ii)vegetables, and                                       (iii) fruits on the following lines :

Upon arising : A glass of lukewarm water with freshly squeezed lemon and spoonful of honey.

Breakfast : Fresh fruits , such as apples, orange, banana, grapes, grapefruit or any available

berries, a handful of raw nuts and a glass of milk.

Mid-morning snack : One apple, banana, or any other fruit.

Lunch : Steamed vegetables, two or three slices of whole meal bread or whole wheat chappatis,

according to the appetite and a glass of butter milk.

Mid-afternoon : A glass of fresh fruit or vegetable juice or sugarcane juice.

Dinner : A large bowl of fresh salad of green vegetables such as tomatoes,carrots, red beets,

cabbage, cucumber with dressing of lemon juice and cold-pressed vegetable oil, all available

sprouts such as alfalfa seeds mung beans, fresh butter and fresh home-made cottage cheese.

Bed time snacks : A glass of fresh milk or one apple.

The patient should avoid the use of alcohol, nicotine, spices, and condiments, flesh foods,

chillies, sour things, pickles, strong tea and coffee. He should also avoid sweets, pastries, rich

cakes and aerated waters. Curds and cottage cheese should be used freely.

Carrot juice in combination with the juice of spinach is considered highly beneficial in the

treatment of gastritis. 200 ml. of spinach juice should be mixed with 300 ml. of carrot juice in this

combination. Too many different foods should not be mixed at the same meal. Meals should be

taken at least two hours before going to bed at night. Eight to 10 glasses of water should be

taken daily but water should not be taken with meals as it dilutes the digestive juices and delays

digestion. And above all, haste should be avoided while eating and meals should be served in a

pleasing and relaxed atmosphere.

Coconut water is an excellent food remedy for gastritis. It gives the stomach necessary rest and

provides vitamins and minerals. The stomach will be greatly helped in returning to its normal

condition if nothing except coconut water is given during the first 24 hours.

Rice gruel is another effective remedy in acute cases of gastritis. In chronic cases where the

flow of gastric juice is meagre, such foods as require prolonged vigorous mastication will be

beneficial as this induces a greater flow of gastric juices.

From the commencement of the treatment , a warm water enema should be used daily, for about

a week, to cleanse the bowels. If constipation is habitual, all steps should be taken for its

eradication. The patient should be given daily a dry friction and sponge bath. Application of heat,

through hot compressor or hot water bottle twice in the day either on an empty stomach or two

hours after meals , should also prove beneficial.

The patient should not undertake any hard physical and mental work. He should , however,

undertake breathing and other light exercises like walking, swimming, and golf. He should avoid

worries and mental tension.

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