gastritis is one of the most common and most overlooked health conditions in the world. Every year, acute gastritis affects at least 56000 people around the globe. Gastritis is a condition where the stomach’s mucosal lining undergoes inflammatory change.

Acute gastritis is usually an incident of inflammation that prompts the white blood cells to act on the stomach lining. It can be caused by an infection or an unhealthy lifestyle. The symptoms of acute gastritis occur suddenly unlike chronic gastritis which develops over time. It is reactive and tends to be more erosive than chronic gastritis is.

Types of Acute Gastritis

There are different types of acute gastritis. They are classified based on the causes that lead to the condition. The types of gastritis are as follows- 

• Acute Gastritis caused by Infection: One of the most common causes of acute gastritis happens to be viral infections. Due to different bacteria and viruses that cause stomach infection, one may experience the symptoms of gastritis. Stomach infections can be treated within a few days with the right medication. 
• Acute Gastritis caused by Irritants: Certain foods tend to increase the acidic levels of the stomach and cause the erosion of the mucosal lining that protects the stomach wall. They are known as irritants because of the effect they have on the gastrointestinal tract. The list of irritants that cause acute gastritis are- coffee, regular use of NSAIDs or painkillers, smoking, and excessive stress are some of the most potent irritants and cause acute gastritis. 
• Food Allergies: Many people suffer from lactose intolerance and other food allergies. These allergies may be mild and may not show other symptoms that demand immediate medical attention but tend to cause acute gastritis. Food allergies may vary from person to person. 
• Injuries: If the mucosal lining of the stomach has been harmed due to some injury or burn, you may experience the symptoms of acute gastritis. These symptoms will eventually go away once the injury is healed. 

Cause of Acute Gastritis

• Several factors can lead to acute gastritis. Acute gastritis is often caused by external factors such as bacterial infection, ingestion of irritants, or is caused by other health conditions such as food poisoning. Here are some of the leading causes of Acute Gastritis
• Consumption of Irritants: Spicy foods, coffee, and other such foods cause an increase in acidic levels in the stomach, this results in erosion of the musical lining and harms the stomach walls. Other irritants also cause acute gastritis such as smoking, excessive drinking, and frequent use of painkillers or NSAIDs. 
• Bacterial or Viral Infection: Acute gastritis is often caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the stomach. These infections cause an imbalance in the stomach and lead to the symptoms of acute gastritis. 
• Bile Reflux: A chemical cause of acute gastritis is bile reflux. Due to an imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract, bile may travel from the gut to the stomach and cause the corrosion of the stomach lining. This leads to acute gastritis. 
• Food Allergies: Many food allergies go undiagnosed if they are mild. However, many food allergies or intolerance will cause an imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract and lead to acute gastritis. 
• Irregular Oxygen Supply: One of the most ignored and important causes of gastritis is irregular breathing. A bad posture or breathing habits may lead to a lack of oxygen in the stomach. This may be caused by other factors that lead to reduced blood volume such as cocaine use, dehydration, sepsis, or severe burns.
  
  Journal of Hepatology and Gastrointestinal disorders is an open accessed, peer reviewed journal, publishes papers reporting clinical and scientific research which are of a high standard and which contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of hepatology and Gastro-intestinal system and its associated disorders. The editorial office promises a peer reviewing of the submitted manuscripts to maintain quality.