With the acceleration of modern lifestyle and increasing work pressure, the incidence of chronic atrophic gastritis in China has shown a yearly upward trend, drawing considerable public attention.

So, what exactly is atrophic gastritis?

Atrophic gastritis is a common type of chronic gastritis, also known as chronic atrophic gastritis. It refers to a chronic gastric condition characterized by repeated damage to the gastric mucosal epithelium, resulting in a reduction of intrinsic glands, with or without intestinal metaplasia and/or pseudopyloric metaplasia. Currently, most scholars believe that Helicobacter pylori infection is the most significant causative factor of atrophic gastritis. Additionally, some scholars attribute it to poor dietary habits, bile reflux, low immunity, age, high salt intake, consumption of excessively hot food, smoking, alcohol consumption, genetic factors, and more. Evidently, its causes are diverse and complex. Symptomatic individuals primarily present with upper abdominal discomfort, bloating, and pain, possibly accompanied by loss of appetite, gastric discomfort, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and a bitter taste in the mouth. There is no correlation between the severity of the pathology and the symptoms.

What should we do when troubled by atrophic gastritis?

Patients with atrophic gastritis experience thinning of the gastric mucosa, reduced gastric acid secretion, poor gastric motility, diminished digestive function, and impaired nutrient absorption. This leads to poor appetite and malnutrition. Therefore, treating atrophic gastritis through diet alone is not entirely effective, and professional assistance may be necessary when needed. Let’s discuss what we can do in daily life.

1) Dietary Science:

We should develop good eating habits, eating at regular times, in appropriate amounts, and with small, frequent meals. Consume nutritious, easily digestible, warm, soft, and lightly seasoned foods, while avoiding or minimizing the intake of cold, raw, spicy, and irritating foods. When symptoms are severe, focusing on a liquid or semi-liquid diet can reduce stomach irritation and aid in the repair of the gastric mucosa.

Ensure a daily intake of a certain amount of protein; consume foods rich in vitamins B and C, carotenoids, etc., to strengthen the body's immunity. Reduce or avoid smoked, fried, pickled, and moldy foods. Prolonged consumption of smoked, fried, pickled, and moldy foods can impair gastric digestion, damage the gastric mucosal barrier, and increase the synthesis of carcinogens (such as nitrosamines) in the body.

Pay special attention to symptoms such as anemia and weight loss. In such cases, consume foods rich in vitamins, calories, and protein, such as animal liver and kidneys, fresh vegetables, lean meat, legumes, etc., to meet the patient’s normal metabolic needs.

2) Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption

For patients who smoke and drink, it is important to quit smoking and alcohol. Smoking and alcohol consumption are major contributing factors to carcinogenesis. Long-term smoking can reduce the ability to neutralize stomach acid, leading to bile reflux that damages the gastric mucosal barrier. Alcohol stimulation can also harm gastric mucosal cells.

3) Avoid Self-Medication

The causes of atrophic gastritis are diverse and complex, and treatments vary depending on whether it involves spleen deficiency with food stagnation, spleen deficiency with heat, or other factors. If you experience symptoms such as bloating related to meals, poor appetite, indigestion, upper abdominal fullness, nausea, vomiting, or bile reflux, avoid self-medicating without professional guidance and seek medical assistance.

In conclusion, we hope this information has provided you with a clearer understanding of atrophic gastritis and how to address it. Patients should maintain regular eating habits, consume fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk rich in vitamins, follow a light and low-salt diet, avoid excessively hot or cold foods, quit smoking and alcohol, and limit or avoid preserved, smoked, fried, or grilled foods. Additionally, it is crucial to take this condition seriously—gastrointestinal health should never be overlooked.