Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Infection: The same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is a common cause of gastritis. Other bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can also cause acute or chronic gastritis.

• Medications: Pain relievers commonly referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can cause both acute and chronic gastritis. Using these pain relievers regularly or taking too much of these drugs may reduce a key substance that helps preserve the protective lining of your stomach.

• Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can contribute to gastritis.

• Stress: Severe stress due to major surgery, injury, burns, or severe infections can cause acute gastritis.

• Autoimmune disorders: When your immune system attacks your bodys healthy cells by mistake, it can cause gastritis.

• Bile reflux: A backflow of bile into the stomach from the bile tract (that connects to the liver and gallbladder) can cause gastritis.

• Other factors: Other factors that can increase the risk of gastritis include smoking, extreme stress, long-term use of aspirin and over-the-counter pain and fever medicines, major surgery, traumatic injury or burns, and exposure to radiation.

Its important to note that in many cases, gastritis has no symptoms (asymptomatic) . However, common symptoms of gastritis include nausea, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, indigestion, and loss of appetite. If left untreated, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer.