Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Gastritis

5-minute read

Key facts

  • Gastritis is when your stomach lining becomes inflamed (irritated, swollen and red).
  • There are several causes of gastritis, including infection, medicines and alcohol.
  • Treatment will depend on the cause of your gastritis.

What is gastritis?

Gastritis is when your stomach lining becomes inflamed (irritated, swollen and red). Your stomach lining may also wear down because of the inflammation — this is called erosive gastritis.

Gastritis can:

  • happen suddenly and be short-lived (acute gastritis)
  • happen gradually and last for a few months or years (chronic gastritis)

What are the symptoms of gastritis?

Not everyone with gastritis will have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

  • a burning feeling in your upper stomach area (like heartburn) — which may change with eating
  • nausea (feeling sick)
  • vomiting (being sick)
  • loss of appetite
  • bloating and burping

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes gastritis?

The most common causes of gastritis are:

A less common cause of gastritis is ‘autoimmune gastritis’. This is caused by a problem with your immune system. There are usually no symptoms with this type of gastritis.

Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria (germ) that can cause gastritis.

About 3 in every 10 Australian adults over the age of 60 years have H. pylori. While most people infected with H. pylori don’t get ill, the bacterium can cause:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Ongoing use of pain relievers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause gastritis.

NSAIDs include:

  • aspirin
  • ibuprofen
  • diclofenac
  • naproxen

Drinking alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can cause gastritis and wear down the lining of your stomach.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if you have symptoms that are:

  • not getting better
  • severe
  • getting worse

Go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if you have:

  • vomit that contains blood or a black, tarry substance (dried blood)
  • blood in your stool (poo), or a black stool

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is gastritis diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you. They may also ask you to have some tests, such as:

  • blood tests
  • an H. pylori breath test
  • stool (poo) tests

Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist (doctor who specialises in the digestive tract).

Your specialist may suggest an endoscopy. An endoscopy involves putting a flexible tube with a tiny camera into your mouth and down into your stomach. This is usually done under sedation.

It lets your doctor look for signs of inflammation and other problems. Biopsies (small tissue samples) are usually taken to be looked at under a microscope.

How is gastritis treated?

Treatment for gastritis aims to:

  • reduce the inflammation
  • improve your symptoms
  • treat the underlying cause of your gastritis

Treating H. pylori infection

If you have an H. pylori infection, your doctor will prescribe medicines to treat the infection. This will include antibiotics and acid-lowering medicine.

It’s important you take the full course of medicine as directed by your doctor.

Treating alcohol-related or NSAID-related gastritis

It’s important to stop taking NSAIDs and/or drinking alcohol if you have gastritis.

There are medicines that can reduce the amount of acid made in your stomach. These are called H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medicines can help improve your symptoms.

Antacids may also help improve your symptoms. Antacids should be taken separately from some other medicines — ask your pharmacist about how to take these medicines.

You can also make some lifestyle changes to help improve your symptoms. You could try to:

  • eat smaller meals
  • eat more often
  • avoid foods that irritate your stomach — such as spicy, acidic, fried or fatty foods
  • stop smoking if you are a smoker

Can gastritis be prevented?

Avoiding or decreasing your use of alcohol and NSAIDs can help prevent gastritis.

There are steps you can take to help prevent infection with H. pylori. These include:

H. pylori infection has become less common in Australia, especially in younger people.

Complications of gastritis

If left untreated, gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers and bleeding. While rare, some types of gastritis can also raise your risk of stomach cancer.

Some types of gastritis can also lead to iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Resources and support

The Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) has information on conditions that can affect your gastrointestinal system.

The Gut Foundation also has information on gastrointestinal and digestive health.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: May 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Gastritis - Better Health Channel

Gastritis may be caused by many factors including infection, alcohol, particular medications and some allergic and immune conditions.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Vitamin B12 | Dietitians Australia

Vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin) is an important vitamin. We need this vitamin to make red blood cells and new DNA for growing and dividing cells. Vitamin B12 also helps maintain the health of the conductive coating that surrounds and protects nerves.

Read more on Dietitians Australia website

Indigestion - MyDr.com.au

Indigestion is a symptom involving pain in the stomach and sometimes heartburn or reflux, which may result from several medical conditions.

Read more on myDr website

Gastrin | Pathology Tests Explained

This test measures the amount of gastrin in the blood. Gastrin is a hormone that regulates the production of acid in the stomach. It is produced by special c

Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website

Stomach ulcer - Better Health Channel

Most stomach ulcers are caused by infection or medication, not stress or poor diet.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Peptic ulcers: what causes them? - MyDr.com.au

Most peptic ulcers are caused by either infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori or regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), including aspirin.

Read more on myDr website

Hangovers: how your body is affected - MyDr.com.au

Find out what happens when you have a hangover - the unpleasant consequence of having overindulged. See what can be done to make a hangover better and how to prevent it in the first place.

Read more on myDr website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.