GASTRITIS/ACIDITY
Gastritis/acidity is an inflammation or erosion of the lining of stomach due to excess secretion of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach.
This can be correlated to Amlapitta, in Ayurveda where the pitta dosha is vitiated along with vata and impairs the Agni or the digestive fire in the Amashaya.
The causes of gastritis include:
Atrophic gastritis is a form of gastritis found in the elderly, where stomach cells are destroyed, potentially leading to pernicious anaemia.
A bacterial infection, helicobacter pylori, is believed to be a major cause of gastritis during the recent years. When addressing gastritis, many researchers now look for substances that eradicate H. Pylori.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Bacterial infection
- Although infection with Helicobacter pylori is among the most common worldwide human infections, only some people who are infected develop gastritis or a similar stomach disorder.
- Smoking or chewing tobacco leads to the generation of excessive Pitta in the body, which eventually causes Amalpitta or Gastritis.
- Ingestion of caustic poisons, alcohol, and certain medications like aspirin or steroids.
- Physical stress from flu, major surgery, severe burns, or injuries.
- A drug allergy or food poisoning.
- Injudicious use of pain relievers
- Alcohol use
- Stress
- Autoimmune condition
Signs & Symptoms
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Abdominal pain
- Hiccups
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dark stools
- Heartburn
- Loss of appetite
- Gnawing or burning pain
- Indigestion
- Heaviness in upper abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR AMLAPITTA:
The main key for treating Amlapitta is to improve digestion. As the saying goes“Prevention is better than cure” it is better to avoid all the causative factors of Amla-pitta. One should follow the meal times. Avoid eating spicy foods, or foods containing excess amount of garlic, salt, oil, chillies, etc.
Gastritis or urdhvaga amlapitta is caused by vitiation of pitta. The best therapy for the correction of pitta is purgation. Ghee also plays an important role in alleviating pitta. Therefore, medicated ghee, which works as a laxative as well, is useful in the treatment of this condition. Commonly Sukumara ghrita is used for the treatment of this condition.
- Amalaki
- Dhatri lauha
- Avipattikara churna
- Coconut and white variety of pumpkin are also used as medicine for the treatment of this condition.
- Herbs and Medicines
- Licorice
- Asparagus racemosus (shataavar)
- Emblica officinalis (amla)
- Dhaatri loha
- Sootasekhara rasa
- Sukumaara ghrita,
- Kaamdudha ras
- Leelaavilas ras
- Chandrakala ras
- Amalpittantak ras.
Diet to taken by Gastritis patients: Barley, wheat, rice (preserved for one year), soup of moong dal, parched rice, cucumber, bitter gourd, patola, green banana, banana flower, white pumpkin, pomegranate and cow’s milk are considered to be exceedingly useful for the treatment of this condition. Sesame seeds, mash, kulattha, gram, pungent and sour things, heavy food, curd and alcoholic drinks are harmful. The patient should preferably be kept exclusively on milk diet (added with sugar) or on a diet consisting of milk and old rice.
Other regimens: The Gastritis patient should not expose himself to hard mental or physical work. He should avoid anxiety, worry and anger. He should be given complete rest. A walk in the early morning for about a mile is very- useful.